Prerequisites for N95 Mask Fit Test

All MS2 students must complete the UW School of Medicine’s respiratory barrier protection program (including online training, medical clearance, and respirator fit testing) to ensure student and patient safety in clinical settings, including those associated with clerkships, clinical electives, service-learning opportunities, etc. Students are responsible for all expenses related to compliance with this requirement and students on financial aid may request an adjustment to their aid budget to cover the costs. 

Students may be required to wear a respirator for tasks, such as entering isolation rooms and other activities, involving close contact with potentially infected persons. These are part of standard practices for infection control as recommended by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Washing State Hospital Association. These standard practices also help meet the School of Medicine’s obligations for clinical onboarding and credentialing under its WWAMI clinical affiliate agreements, UW Administrative Policy Statement 10.4, and UW Respiratory Protection Program.

The actual in-person N95 respirator fit test cannot take place until after completing the online training and medical clearance process.

Instructions

Below are the two (2) components for respirator protection program that you need to complete no later than 11/15/2025.    

  1. Complete the 3M Medical Questionnaire by 11/15/2025 via this link (required for E24 MSTP students)

This website will ask students to enter their first name, last name, and employee ID (please enter your UW STUDENT ID in this field)

  • If you cannot log in, please contact somcompl@uw.edu.
  • The questionnaire will be reviewed by a 3M healthcare professional to make sure you are medically cleared to wear an N95 respirator.
  • A nurse may contact you with follow-up questions via email or over the phone; you must respond in order to be cleared and compliant.
  • 3M will provide you with your medical clearance letter. Save this letter so you can print it and bring it to your in-person N95 fit test.
  • For E24 students who are registered for Autumn Quarter, a course fee for this requirement was included in your tuition. There will be no out-of-pocket expense for this.
  • 3M will provide the SOM with a copy of your clearance letter. We will upload this to Evalue. It will be valid for 5 years.
  1. Complete the N95 Filtering Facepiece Training Online by 11/15/2025 via this link (not required for E24 MSTP students): No fee is required.

The first module of this course introduces respirators, covering hazard evaluation, respirator selection, and the UW Respirator Protection Program. The second module focuses on N95 filtering facepiece respirators, detailing their use, design, limitations, and the importance of fit testing. You will also learn how to properly don, seal check, and remove an N95 respirator.

  • The course will begin after you click Enroll. The course should take less than 30 minutes, but you can quit and resume if needed.
  • Keep a copy for your records. After completing the course, it should appear on your EH&S training record the following business day. You can access EH&S training records and print/save certificates of completion by going to the Track Training Progress page, opening the Report by Individual, and entering your UW NetID.
    • Alternatively, you can immediately download a completion certificate from your My Learning page in Bridge. Hover over the course, click Details, then click View Certificate.
  • The Compliance Office can access these records, so you do not need to send us a copy.
N95 Mask Fit Testing Instructions
N95 Policy Page