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.
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 Titer
Due October 1 of first fall term.
Titer results for Hepatitis B are required to prove immunity to HepB. Results must show students are immune for this requirement to be complete.
If you have not had the HepB vaccine series, you will need to complete it then wait at least 1 month before getting a titer. Most individuals get the HepB vaccination series in childhood to build immunity. If you need to start the HepB series before getting a titer, or have a negative/equivocal titer result, notify Experiential Services so we are aware and can work with you on the timeline.
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. Negative or equivocal results will require further action. 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)
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (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.
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.
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.
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening
Due October 1 of first fall term.
Do not complete earlier than the calendar year you begin PharmD classes, e.g. if beginning fall 2040 only TB screening completed Jan 1, 2040, or later would be acceptable.
Tuberculosis (TB) testing to ensure students do not have active or latent TB. CPPS will not accept a one-step TST (tuberculin skin testing) PPD (purified protein derivative) that only requires a single placement and reading.
Required Documentation
- Initially, submit either IGRA blood test (QuantiFERON or T-Spot) OR 2-Step tuberculin skin test (requires 4 appointments: 2 placements and 2 readings). Note: Individuals who have received the BCG vaccine (common for international students) will have to do an IGRA blood test.
- Annually thereafter, students will submit a self-survey questionnaire. Those at higher risk will require additional screening. Note: Rotation sites may require more frequent testing for onboarding.
COVID-19
Strongly recommended. Optional for CPPS, but may be required by rotation sites.
The college’s clinical rotation site partners may have placement requirements that include proof of recent COVID-19 vaccination, the college strongly recommends this vaccine for students.
If you cannot engage in clinical rotations due to your non-vaccinated status, it may delay your progression in the program or impact your ability to meet graduation requirements.
Sites may require current seasons COVID-19 vaccine or the initial series of vaccines which were administered starting in 2020.
Documentation
Option to submit documentation of current seasons vaccine record, date given, vaccine manufacturer, student name and lot number for approval.
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: American Heart Association Basic Life Support
Due October 1 of first fall term. Renewed* two years thereafter.
American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS), for healthcare providers, CPR certification is required.
It is strongly recommended to complete this prior to coming to campus. However, there are training facilities near the Spokane campus. The Yakima campus typically arranges a training that students can sign up for within 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.
eLearning OSHA & HIPAA Training
Due September 15 of first fall term and annually thereafter.
Annual eLearning modules are required. This will include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training. This training includes modules for bloodborne pathogens, exposure plans, patient and workplace safety, mitigating workplace injury and more.
Note: 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.