Quick answer
You can take the Washington Work Zone and First Responder course on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The course works the same on all of them — pick the device you have the easiest time using.
Tip: A computer with a stable Wi-Fi connection gives you the smoothest experience, especially during the end-of-course knowledge check.
In this article
- Devices that work with the course
- Which device is best for which task
- Devices that aren’t recommended
- Switching between devices part-way through
- Common device-related issues
Devices that work with the course
The system is a responsive web application, which means the same site automatically adjusts to fit your screen — whether that’s a 27-inch monitor or a phone in your hand. You just need a recent operating system and a supported browser.
| Device type | Operating system | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop or laptop | Windows 10 or 11; macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer | Recommended for the full course and the knowledge check | Largest screen, easiest typing, most stable connection. |
| Tablet | iPadOS 15 or newer; Android 10 or newer | Good alternative when a computer is not available | Use landscape orientation for the best video experience. |
| Smartphone | iOS 15 or newer; Android 10 or newer | Fine for watching lessons; manageable for the knowledge check | Use Wi-Fi when possible to avoid burning mobile data on video. |
Check the article Which browsers are supported? for the full list of supported browsers and versions.
Which device is best for which task
All parts of the course work on any supported device, but each format has its strengths. Here’s what we’d recommend:
Watching lessons and videos
- Any device works.
- In landscape orientation, tablets and phones give you a near full-screen video experience.
- Use headphones in noisy environments — the course has narration on every lesson.
Taking the knowledge check
- A desktop or laptop is the most comfortable for the end-of-course knowledge check.
- Tablets and phones work too, but you may want to plug in or charge first.
- Don’t use a shared or kiosk device for the knowledge check. If the session is interrupted, you may need to restart.
Reviewing your completion status
- Any device works. Your completion appears under My Courses once it’s recorded with DOL.
- If you’re checking from a phone, rotate to landscape to see your full status panel.
Devices that aren’t recommended
These devices may technically open the course, but they’ll either fail to sign in, lose your progress, or block the knowledge check. We don’t support them:
| Device | Why it won’t work well |
|---|---|
| Smart TVs and game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo) | Their built-in browsers cannot sign in with WA.gov and do not run the course player reliably. |
| Kindle and other e-readers | The course is built for full-featured modern browsers. E-reader browsers are too limited for video playback. |
| Older devices without a recent OS update | Devices that can’t install iOS 15, iPadOS 15, Android 10, macOS 12, or Windows 10 may not be able to run a supported browser version. |
| Locked-down or shared computers (work, school, or library) | May block pop-ups, cookies, or the WA.gov sign-in window. If you don’t have control of the device’s settings, use a personal device instead. |
Using a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are supported as long as Chrome is up to date and the device isn’t restricted by a school or workplace admin policy.
If you see “This site is blocked,” or you can’t open a pop-up to sign in, the device is being managed by someone else. Use a personal device instead.
Switching between devices part-way through
Your progress is saved automatically at the end of each lesson, so you can start on one device and finish on another. The platform remembers where you left off.
- Sign out of the device you were using.
- Open the course on your new device and sign in with the same Secure Access Washington account.
- Go to My Courses — you’ll see your in-progress course with a “Resume” button that picks up where you left off.
If you switch devices during the knowledge check
The knowledge check is a single, secure session. If you change devices in the middle of it, the session ends and you’ll need to start the knowledge check over.
We recommend staying on the same device from the start of the knowledge check until you see your result.
Common device-related issues
Most device problems come down to outdated software or a managed account. Try these in order:
- Make sure your operating system is up to date. On iPhone or iPad, check Settings → General → Software Update. On Android, check Settings → System → System update.
- Update your browser to the latest version.
- Try the course on a different device you have access to — for example, switch from your work laptop to a personal phone.
- Restart your device and reconnect to a stable Wi-Fi network (5 Mbps or faster).