Wash. Rev. Code » Title 66 · Chapter 66.44
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 66.44.290 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Every person under the age of twenty-one years who purchases or attempts to purchase liquor shall be guilty of a violation of this title. This section does not apply to persons between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years who are participating in a controlled purchase program authorized by the *liquor control board under rules adopted by the board. Violations occurring under a private, controlled purchase program authorized by the *liquor control board may not be used for criminal or administrative prosecution.
(2) An employer who conducts an in-house controlled purchase program authorized under this section shall provide his or her employees a written description of the employer's in-house controlled purchase program. The written description must include notice of actions an employer may take as a consequence of an employee's failure to comply with company policies regarding the sale of alcohol during an in-house controlled purchase.
(3) An in-house controlled purchase program authorized under this section shall be for the purposes of employee training and employer self-compliance checks. An employer may not terminate an employee solely for a first-time failure to comply with company policies regarding the sale of alcohol during an in-house controlled purchase program authorized under this section.
(4) Every person between the ages of eighteen and twenty, inclusive, who is convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided by RCW 9A.20.021, except that a minimum fine of two hundred fifty dollars shall be imposed and any sentence requiring community restitution shall require not fewer than twenty-five hours of community restitution.
[ 2003 c 53 s 301; 2001 c 295 s 1; 1965 c 49 s 1; 1955 c 70 s 4. Prior: 1935 c 174 s 6(1); 1933 ex.s. c 62 s 37(1); RRS s 7306-37(1).]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: The "state liquor control board" was renamed the "state liquor and cannabis board" by 2015 c 70 s 3.
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1967–2021 · leading case: Wilson v. Steinbach, 656 P.2d 1030 (Wash. 1982).
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Wilson v. Steinbach, 656 P.2d 1030 (Wash. 1982). · cites it 2× “270 (unlawful for person under 21 years of age to acquire, possess, or consume liquor) and RCW 66.44.290 (unlawful for person under 21 years of age to purchase or attempt to purchase liquor).”
In re Pers. Restraint of Monschke, 482 P.3d 276 (Wash. 2021). “079(1) (setting oldest possible age of a victim of the crime, “Rape of a child,” at 15); RCW 66.44.290(4) (making it a misdemeanor for persons under 21 to purchase liquor).”
Purchase v. Meyer, 737 P.2d 661 (Wash. 1987). “20 RCW 66.44.290. 21 Young, at 661-62. 22 Young, at 660-62; Callan , at 40.”
State v. Baldwin, 821 P.2d 496 (Wash. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Facts Baldwin was charged by citation with a violation of "RCW 66.44.290 — minor purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol".”
State v. Gjertson, 430 P.2d 972 (Wash. 1967). “010 (attempted malicious prosecution); RCW 9.72.110 (attempt to suborn perjury); RCW 9.”
Young v. Caravan Corp., 663 P.2d 834 (Wash. 1983). “Clearly, these statutes were designed to protect minors from their inability to handle the consumption of alcoholic beverages. As a matter of law, decedent's violation of RCW 66.”
Seattle 420 Llc, V. Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Bd. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “See RCW 66.44.290. Here, we give RCW 69.50.560 its plain meaning which indicates rule making was not necessary for the WSLCB to engage in a marijuana controlled -8- No.”
State of Washington v. T.M. (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “100 (18 without parental approval); drinking, RCW 66.44.290 (age 21); smoking, RCW 70.155.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 66.44.290(4) — 1 case
In re Pers. Restraint of Monschke, 482 P.3d 276 (Wash. 2021). “079(1) (setting oldest possible age of a victim of the crime, “Rape of a child,” at 15); RCW 66.44.290(4) (making it a misdemeanor for persons under 21 to purchase liquor).”
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