Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster in Tacoma, Washington (2026)
An incomplete or incorrect USERRA poster is one of the most common causes of Wage & Hour Division inspections, risking significant penalties for each day of non-compliance. You are required to display this specific federal Department of Labor notice, also referred to as the Veterans' Reemployment Rights poster, in a prominent location for all employees. 14 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 12 $0–$0 government filing fees Varies processing and posting requirement. Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 12 of 14 fields.
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Why You Need a Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster
This requirement originates from federal law. The Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster is mandated by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 38 U.S.C. § 4334. All U.S. employers, including those in Tacoma, Washington, are subject to this federal statute. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is the primary enforcement authority, requiring the poster to be displayed in a conspicuous place accessible to employees and applicants for employment. While Washington State has its own military leave laws (like RCW 73.16), the USERRA poster is a separate, federally required notice. Failure to post it is considered a violation of USERRA's notification requirements.
Not displaying the USERRA poster carries significant, concrete risks. An employee or applicant who suffers an adverse employment action related to military service can file a complaint with the DOL's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) or pursue a private lawsuit. The consequences for a USERRA violation, which includes failure to post the required notice, can be severe and include:
- Back pay and benefits restoration: You may be ordered to pay the employee all lost wages and benefits from the date of the violation.
- Reinstatement: The court can compel you to reinstate the employee to their former position with seniority and status.
- Liquidated damages: For willful violations, you can be liable for an amount equal to the back pay owed.
- Injunction and attorney's fees: A court can issue an injunction to stop the unlawful practice, and you may be required to pay the employee's legal costs.
Legal code: Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
Recent update: The DOL last issued an updated version of the USERRA poster in 2022; employers should ensure they are displaying the current version, which is available for download from the DOL website.
Who Needs a Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required by federal law as an employer of any size, including part-time employees, under 38 U.S.C. § 4334. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required under USERRA's universal coverage for all employers, regardless of industry or employee count. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required, as USERRA applies to all employers with one or more employees, including mobile food service operations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required; the federal mandate has no exemption for small retail food service establishments. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (14 Fields)
12 of 14 auto-filledBusiness has employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if your business has any employees, including full-time, part-time, or seasonal workers; select 'No' only if you are a sole proprietor with no paid staff.
COMMON MISTAKE: Sole proprietors incorrectly selecting 'Yes' based on working with contractors or family members, which does not create a USERRA poster obligation.
Number of employees
numberEnter your total number of paid employees, calculated across all locations if you have more than one establishment; use your peak headcount from the last 12 months.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a number that includes independent contractors or owners, which can misrepresent your obligation threshold.
USERRA poster downloaded
booleanSelect 'Yes' only after you have successfully saved the official "Your Rights Under USERRA" poster PDF from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website to your device.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' before actually downloading the file or downloading an outdated or non-official version from a third-party site.
Need help downloading
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you encounter technical issues accessing the DOL website or saving the PDF; this flags the need for guidance on obtaining the correct file.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you can't find the poster, which leaves a compliance gap; you must acquire the poster to proceed.
USERRA poster printed
booleanSelect 'Yes' after you have produced a physical, legible copy of the official USERRA poster on letter-sized paper (8.5" x 11") for posting.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' for a digital copy stored on a computer or for a poster printed at a reduced size, which is not compliant for physical display.
Printing method
selectSelect how you printed the poster (e.g., 'In-house printer,' 'Commercial print shop,' 'DOL mailed copy') to document your acquisition method.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'DOL mailed copy' if you printed it yourself, creating a record-keeping discrepancy for your compliance file.
Display location identified
booleanSelect 'Yes' once you have chosen a conspicuous place where employees routinely gather, such as a break room, time clock area, or main bulletin board.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' without confirming the location is truly prominent and accessible to all employees, as required by DOL regulations.
Display location description
textBriefly describe the exact posting location (e.g., 'Bulletin board next to time clock in employee break room') for your internal records.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague descriptions like 'break room' or 'office,' which are insufficient for proving specific compliance during an inspection.
USERRA poster posted
booleanSelect 'Yes' only after the printed poster is physically affixed and visible at the identified location; this is the final compliance step.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Yes' prematurely, before the poster is actually displayed, which creates a false record of compliance.
Date poster was posted
dateEnter the exact calendar date when you posted the USERRA poster, using MM/DD/YYYY format; this date starts your continuous compliance period.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering an incorrect or future date, which invalidates your compliance timeline and record-keeping.
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster Mistakes
1. Not Posting the Poster in a Conspicuous Location
Placing the USERRA poster in a back office or break room instead of an area frequented by all employees, like a main entryway or near time clocks, violates the requirement for it to be 'where employee notices are customarily posted.' This mistake can lead to a U.S. Department of Labor investigation and potential penalties. To avoid this, post it in the same location as your other mandatory federal notices, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and OSHA posters.
2. Using an Outdated or Incorrect Poster Version
Posting an old version of the USERRA notice that does not reflect current contact information for the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) or omits key rights. Federal regulations require the current, official poster. Using an outdated version fails to inform employees of their correct reemployment rights and complaint procedures, which is the core legal obligation. Always download the free, official poster directly from the DOL VETS website to ensure compliance.
3. Failing to Post for All Covered Employees
Only posting the notice at a corporate headquarters and not at separate, distinct worksites or remote locations where you have employees. USERRA applies to all employers, regardless of size, and the posting requirement extends to all physical locations. This oversight leaves employees at satellite locations uninformed of their rights. Ensure a poster is displayed at every worksite, including separate storefronts or remote offices within Tacoma.
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Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Poster by City in Washington
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | ||
| Spokane | ||
| Tacoma |
Process: No Formal Application Required
Download & Verify the Official Poster
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website to download the current 'Your Rights Under USERRA' poster. Ensure you have the latest version dated from the DOL. Posters must be placed where all employees can see them, such as on a common bulletin board. Using an outdated or unofficial poster does not fulfill your legal obligation.
Print or Order a Physical Copy
You must have a physical, legible copy of the poster. Print the downloaded PDF on durable paper (e.g., 11"x17" is common) using a quality printer, or order a professional laminated copy from a reputable labor law poster supplier. Have your business address and printer/order details ready. The poster must be in a format that is easily readable by employees.
Post in a Conspicuous Location
Display the poster in a prominent place accessible to all employees, such as a break room, kitchen, or main hallway bulletin board. The location must be one where you customarily post other employment notices. For businesses with multiple locations, you need a poster at each worksite. Failure to post properly can be cited in a compliance inspection.
Where to Apply
Seattle
Department of Labor - Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS)
Spokane
Department of Labor - Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS)
Tacoma
Department of Labor - Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS)
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Washington.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Annual Report Filing
state
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe timeline to obtain a USERRA poster is not a processing period, but rather the time to download and display it. Since the poster is a free federal notice, you can download it immediately from the U.S. Department of Labor website. The requirement to post it begins as soon as you have employees, separate from local processes like obtaining a City Business License/Registration.
There is no government filing fee for the USERRA poster itself. The U.S. Department of Labor provides the official poster for free download. Your costs may be for printing the poster or for services to help ensure compliance with this and other federal notices like ADA Compliance Self-Certification.
Yes, the USERRA poster is tied to your status as an employer, not a specific address. You must display it at each of your business locations where employees work. When you move or open a new location, simply download a new copy and post it. This differs from location-specific permits, like a Building Permit.
There is no formal renewal process. The poster must be continuously displayed in a conspicuous place for all employees. You should check the U.S. Department of Labor website periodically for updated versions of the poster, as the content is governed by federal law. Contact the agency to confirm if a new version has been issued.
A federal or state labor compliance officer will check for the poster's presence during a routine inspection. They verify it's the current version, posted where employees can easily see it (e.g., break room, near time clock). Failure to post can result in penalties, but the inspection itself is typically visual and does not involve a submitted application, unlike an inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Washington specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 14 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
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