Vaccination, Certification & Licensure Requirements
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Vaccinations, Certification & Licensure Due Dates*
*These are initial due dates, the first year of your pharmacy education. Please see below for full details and any applicable renewals.
September 15 of First Fall Term
October 1 of First Fall Term
Other Due Dates
During Application Process
Spring of First Year
Vaccinations & Immunity Tests
Vaccination documentation can take time to find, so get started verifying your vaccinations early. Please be aware when starting an immunization series that some series take months to complete.
Documentation Must Include
- Student’s name
- Date administered or date of results
- Facility/lab name and/or provider name
Acceptable Documentation for Vaccination and Immunity Tests (Titers) Includes:
- State immunization records
- Pharmacy documentation
- Immunization summary (must include the date and facility name OR physician signature, OR facility stamp)
- Military documentation
- Lab report with facility name
- Titer lab results must include numerical lab results indicating immunity status
Quick Tip
If you are not sure where to find your vaccination history, a good place to start is with your primary care provider or a local/state immunization registry. Keep in mind that many of these are childhood vaccinations that you likely have completed already and will need to contact your current or childhood Primary Care Provider for your records.
HepB Series
Due September 15 of first fall term.
We understand that those who have not previously had the Hepatitis B series may not have the series and titer completed prior to the deadline, however students must have already started the series and show progress towards completing it.
The Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine has either a 2-dose or a 3-dose series to produce immunity.
2 Dose HEPLIVSAV-B Series:
- First immunization
- Second immunization (1 month after the first immunization)
3 Dose Series:
- First immunization
- Second immunization (1 month after the first immunization)
- Third immunization (5 months after the second immunization)
Required Documentation:
Submit documentation of each dose of the series.
It is best to upload documentation as it is received to show progress towards completing this. We understand that this can take months to complete when starting or restarting the series.
HepB Titer
Due September 15 of first fall term.
Titer results for Hepatitis B are also required to prove immunity to HepB. The titer must be completed at least 1 month after the final dose of vaccination in the HepB series. Results must show students are immune for this requirement to be complete.
There are several types of titers, a surface antigen (Anti-HBs) is required. Students who do not show immunity after completing the series twice will be considered non-responders.
Required Documentation:
Positive antibody to HepB surface antibody (Anti-HBs) titer indicating immunity (lab report or physician verification of results required). Titer results must include numerical results indicating immunity. Non-responders will be required to submit a doctor’s note verifying this.
Acceptable Titer Type:
- Anti-HBs (surface antibody) titer
Unacceptable Titer Types:
- HepB surface antigen (HBsAg)
- Antibody to HepB core antigen (Anti-HBc)
- IgM Antibody subclass of anti-HBc (IgM anti-HBc)
- Heptatis B “e” antigen (HBeAg)
MMR
Due October 1 of first fall term.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccination is a 2-dose series of live MMR, received on or after the first birthday, separated by 28 days of more. In lieu of the vaccination documentation, students may show proof of immunity with a titer.
Required Documentation
Submit either 2 vaccinations OR Positive antibody titer indicating immunity (lab report or physician verification of results required).
Note: If submitting titer results it must also include the numerical lab result indicating immunity.
Tdap
Due October 1 of first fall term.
This vaccination is for Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap).
Required Documentation
Submit ONE of the following:
- A Tdap vaccine administered within the past 10 years
- A Tdap vaccine administered (within student’s lifetime) AND then a Td booster administered within the past 10 years.
COVID-19
Due October 1 of first fall term.
There are several acceptable COVID-19 vaccinations available, including 2-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna) options and one 1-dose option (J & J Janssen Biotech). The Pfizer 2-dose series requires at least 21 days apart between doses, and the Moderna 2-dose series requires at least 28 days between doses.
Required Documentation
Submit documentation of each vaccine dose, the date given, vaccine manufacturer, student name and lot number for approval.
Varicella
Due October 1 of first fall term.
The varicella vaccine is more commonly known as the chicken pox vaccination. This is a 2-dose series, doses separated by 4-8 weeks. In lieu of the vaccination documentation students may show proof of immunity with a titer.
Required Documentation
Submit either 2 vaccinations OR Positive antibody titer indicating immunity (lab report or physician verification of results required).
Note: If submitting titer results it must also include the numerical lab result indicating immunity.
Flu
Due October 1 of first fall term.
Influenza (Flu): This is required starting the fall of your first term, and annually thereafter.
There is no cost for your flu vaccination if you use your student Health Fee at specified partner.
Yakima Coverage
Spokane Coverage
Required Documentation
Submit documentation of a flu vaccine administered during the current flu season (August-March) for that year. The documentation must include the name of the facility where it was administered.
TB
Due spring of first year, and annually thereafter.
Tuberculosis (TB) testing to ensure students do not have active or latent TB. Students will receive more information about this during the first year of the program from Experiential Services.
There is no cost for your TB testing if you use your student Health Fee at specified partner.
Yakima Coverage
Spokane Coverage
Required Documentation
Submit either IGRA blood test (QuantiFERON or T-Spot) OR 2-Step skin test (requires 4 appointments).
Certifications & Licensing
*These items must be renewed annually without any lapse.
**Costs listed are subject to change.
Students will receive more information on how to register through CastleBranch for OSHA and HIPAA trainings from Experiential Services in August.
CPR Certification: AHA BLS
Due October 1 of first fall term. Renewed* two years thereafter.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), for healthcare providers, CPR certification is required. Find an AHA training center.
It is strongly recommended to complete this prior to coming to campus, however both Spokane and Yakima campuses arrange training options (limited seats available) for AHA BLS training during Pharmacy Prep Week and/or throughout the first few weeks of classes.
Note: there is a fee required.
Required Documentation
The front AND back of the card must be submitted at the same time and the “Holder’s Signature” line on the back of the card must be signed.
Note: Only an American Heart Association BLS CPR (for healthcare providers) card will be accepted. Courses from other organizations that state they meet AHA guidelines do not meet the requirement.
Washington Intern License
Due September 15 of first fall term, valid for 2 years and renewed* on student’s birthday.
Students receive notification from the Office of Student Services regarding when they can apply for this. At a minimum, the application requires personal information and a fingerprinting/background check.
Learn about current requirements or apply
Note: there is a fee required.
Required Documentation
Submit either a scanned copy of current WA Pharmacy Intern License OR a screenshot of license verification from the state website.
Documentation must include student’s name, license number and date of expiration.
OSHA Training
Due September 15 of first fall term and annually thereafter.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training is required annually. This training includes modules for bloodborne pathogens, exposure plans, patient and workplace safety, mitigating workplace injury and more.
Note: Only the training provided through CastleBranch will be acceptable annually. Wait for instructions from Experiential Services.
Required Documentation
Once the training is completed students must upload all of the Certificates of Completion to their CastleBranch trackers.
HIPAA Training
Due September 15 of first fall term and annually thereafter.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training is required annually. This training explains HIPAA rights and regulations that healthcare providers are legally required to know and follow.
Note: Only the training provided through CastleBranch will be acceptable annually. Wait for instructions from Experiential Services.
Required Documentation
Once the training is completed students must upload all of the Certificates of Completion to their CastleBranch trackers.
Professional Liability Insurance
Due September 15 of first fall term and annually* thereafter.
Annual Cost: $15**
Professional liability insurance, or malpractice insurance, is negotiated by WSU for Health Sciences students each year. Students can choose to find alternate coverage, but it must meet certain thresholds. If alternate coverage is chosen please inquire with Experiential Services before purchase.
Information on how to purchase Professional Liability Insurance will be available within CastleBranch.
Required Documentation
Payment receipt or certificate of insurance is required that includes the students name, date of purchase, and for external insurance policies the limits of coverage. Students will upload this to CastleBranch.
National Background Check
All students are required to have a national background check as part of the PharmCAS application process. It is also required annually* each spring while in the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
An annual national background check is required for admissions into the Doctor of Pharmacy program; as well as annually thereafter.
- PharmCAS admissions background check (via Certiphi): $72.70**
- First-fourth year spring background checks are required via CastleBranch: costs are included in college fees
Students will receive more information from Experiential Services about how to purchase this each spring through CastleBranch (CB).
Required Documentation
- PharmCAS Admissions Background Check: Only the background check initiated through PharmCAS and run through Certiphi is acceptable.
- WSU Required Annual Background Check: Only the CastleBranch background check is acceptable.