Experience Programs Information for Prospective Students
Entering Requirements
Immunization / Testing / Physical Exam
The UGA College of Pharmacy requires all incoming students to upload evidence into CORE (secure database) of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), current Tetanus vaccination (including Tdap), and evidence of immunity against Hepatitis B and Varicella Zoster (chicken pox). Students must also be tested for tuberculosis exposure using an IGRA test (QuantiFERON-TB GOLD or TSPOT-TB) or a 2 step tuberculin skin test (NOTE: IGRA test is preferred). In the case of a positive IGRA test or tuberculin skin test, proof must be provided for the following items: positive TB test result, current chest x-ray report (within 3 years), and a physician statement on the need for prophylactic treatment. If prescribed treatment has been completed, documentation of this will also be needed.
The physical exam must be completed within the past 12 months and be documented on our form below, unless it is completed at the UGA Student Health Center where students will be instead given a letter on letterhead with the UGA College of Pharmacy certification statement included (Note: Be sure to inform the UGA Student Health Center the physical is for the College of Pharmacy).
A description of specific requirements and the completion date for these items is available at the following link: Orientation Information- Experience Programs
Additional links that will help assemble materials are the following:
Note: The University of Georgia also has separate requirements that must be completed before class registration is allowed. These university requirements are outlined at the following link: https://healthcenter.uga.edu/info/forms/
Students should be aware that student health information cannot be shared between University facilities (e.g. College of Pharmacy, University Health Service, Registrar’s office), so vaccination information must be sent individually to the respective units. Since vaccination requirements differ between UGA and the UGA College of Pharmacy, it is imperative that close attention is paid to the requirements for each entity.
Questions regarding the entering student vaccination requirements should be directed to:
Ms. Pattie Holly
Program Specialist II,Division of Experience Programs
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
250 W. Green Street, RC Wilson Bldg. Rm. 265P
Athens, Georgia 30602-2351
Ph: (706) 542-8755 Fax: (706) 542-6022
Internet: pholly@uga.edu
Annual Renewals
- Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
- Student musts provide TB testing documentation yearly. Although annual screening is not recommended by the CDC, it is required by the College of Pharmacy due to practice site clearance requirements. An IGRA test (either QuantiFERON-TB Gold or TSPOT) is preferred based on experiential site clearance processes, however, students may use an annual TST (note: must be preceded by a 2 step TST). In the event of a history of a positive TST or positive IGRA assay, the following items must be provided: positive TST result, current chest x-ray report (within 3 years), and a physician statement on the need for prophylactic or active treatment. Please be aware, IPPE or APPE requirements may differ based on institutional specific policies. This information will be provided to you during the clearance process for your various experiential assignments. Examples of specific requirements include more recent tuberculosis testing or more recent chest x-ray report (only if TST or QuantiFERON-TB Gold/TSPOT positive).
- Physical Exam
- The physical exam must be renewed every 12 months and be documented on our form above, unless it is completed at the UGA Student Health Center where students will instead be given a letter on letterhead with the UGA College of Pharmacy certification statement included (Note: Be sure to inform the UGA Student Health Center you want an “administrative physical” for the UGA College of Pharmacy).
- Influenza Vaccination
- Students must receive annual influenza vaccinations each fall. Specific due dates will be sent to students by email and vary based on the professional year due to scheduled IPPE and APPE site requirements.
- HIPAA and OSHA Training
- Students must complete annual HIPAA and OSHA training provided through a College of Pharmacy resource. Specific information about the process and due dates will be communicated to students by the Division of Experience Programs.
Periodic Renewals
- CPR
- In August and late April /early May, pharmacy students will be provided the opportunity to obtain their American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification free of charge through classes provided at the College of Pharmacy. Students will receive information on these opportunities as they are available. Students choosing not to attend these classes must locate and pay for a course on their own. Suitable courses must include a live practice component and must be American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR. Note: Graduating students will not be eligible for the late April / early May course.
- Tetanus Vaccination
- Current tetanus vaccination must be maintained throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy program. For students receiving at least one Tdap, only a Td booster is required.
- Georgia Pharmacy Intern License
- Although most initial intern licenses are granted with a 5-year expiration, there are occasions where licenses expire prior to completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students should begin the renewal process with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy 3 months prior to the expiration date to ensure a lapse in licensure does not occur. Licenses must remain in good standing throughout the Georgia Board of Pharmacy to be eligible for enrollment in the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Other Items
- Mandatory Student Health Insurance
- Since the College of Pharmacy has a mandatory requirement that students maintain health insurance coverage throughout the curriculum, students are required by the Board of Regents to be automatically enrolled under the Mandatory UGA Health Insurance plan. Upon registering for fall and spring classes, students will be automatically enrolled within the program and the premium will appear as an additional fee on your student account. This fee, however, is not covered through the HOPE scholarship. Students can apply for waivers through the approved health insurance vendor to opt out of the program. These waivers must be reapplied for each semester students are enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students will be emailed each summer to provide additional information about the health insurance process and plan. For additional information about the insurance, please refer to the web link listed above.
- Pharmacy Malpractice Insurance
- Throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy program, students are required to have pharmacy malpractice insurance which will cover participation in all approved college related experiences. This insurance coverage is provided to enrolled students through a blanket policy negotiated by the College of Pharmacy. Students throughout the professional years of the curriculum will be assessed an $11.00 annual charge on their student account each fall.
- Pharmacy Database Charge
- Throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy programs, students will utilize the database CORE-ELMS to track compliance with immunizations as well as complete assignments and evaluations for the experiential portion of the curriculum. An annual fee assessment will be made each Fall on student accounts for all enrolled students to cover the cost of the database (much like a lab fee). Although the annual fee varies yearly, the amount is approximately 70 dollars.
- Site Clearance Process
- Students will be responsible for all costs associated with site clearance processes. Students may be required to submit to background checks (in general: assessing felony / misdemeanor charges for a period of 7 years) and drug screens as required by institutions in which they are assigned to complete experiential training. Repeat background checks and drug screens may be required throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy program based upon site policies. Students may be prevented from completing training at a site if the site deems the results of clearance items to be unacceptable. In addition, some institutions require students to complete other requirements including orientations (on site and/or web-based), health forms, confidentiality statements, and computer access forms. The student is responsible for ensuring that all requirements are completed prior to the deadline designated by the site. Students not meeting the deadline will be withdrawn from the experience, which can result in delay of graduation.
- Note: Individual site clearance costs can range from $100 – $150, not including costs related to additional TB testing, physical exam, or travel costs, etc.
- Students will be responsible for all costs associated with site clearance processes. Students may be required to submit to background checks (in general: assessing felony / misdemeanor charges for a period of 7 years) and drug screens as required by institutions in which they are assigned to complete experiential training. Repeat background checks and drug screens may be required throughout the Doctor of Pharmacy program based upon site policies. Students may be prevented from completing training at a site if the site deems the results of clearance items to be unacceptable. In addition, some institutions require students to complete other requirements including orientations (on site and/or web-based), health forms, confidentiality statements, and computer access forms. The student is responsible for ensuring that all requirements are completed prior to the deadline designated by the site. Students not meeting the deadline will be withdrawn from the experience, which can result in delay of graduation.
