N95 Mask Fit Testing

In-person N95 fit testing is required for all students who will be in Patient Care Phase clerkships. MSTP students who are NOT entering PCP clerkships, and students who will be on a leave of absence for the entirety of AY 2025-26 are exempt from this requirement.

Deadline

The deadline for completing this requirement is 12/01/2025, regardless of when you are starting your first PCP clerkship.  

Where to get masks:

  • Please contact your WWAMI office to obtain respirators for your fit testing appointment. 
  • If you will be fit tested at one of the Seattle N95 Mask Fit Testing events in the Health Sciences Building, respirators will be provided onsite.
  • If you are going to Concentra in Seattle, you can obtain respirators from the A-300 HSB front desk.

Instructions for fit testing:

  1. See the “Where to get masks” section. The SOM will supply the following models: 3M 1870+, Halyard Regular, Halyard Small. Reach out to us if you think you will fail on these models. We have additional models we can send you. Most vendors will ask you to bring your own N95s for the fit test.
  2. Print out the “3M Medical Clearance for Respirator Use” letter that 3M emailed to you and bring it with you to your fit testing appointment. 3M medical clearance letters can also be downloaded from your eValue Personal Records under “N95 Respirator Clearance”. Expanded E20 students can find their clearance letter in their Castlebranch UW71 tracker.
  3. To help you locate a vendor in the WWAMI region, please check out the WWAMI 2025 Fit Testing Locations. The fit tester should complete the External Fit Test Record form.
  4. If in Seattle, you can sign up for an appointment at the on-site event. Dates for Seattle fit test events: November 17, 20, 21 & December 1st.
  5. For info about the fit testing event in Moscow, ID, contact Whitney Vincent at wvincent@uidaho.edu.
  6. For info about the fit testing event in Bozeman, MT, contact Kayla Ouert at kayla.ouert@montana.edu
  7. For info about the fit testing event in Spokane, WA, contact Teresa Borrenpohl at borrtere@uw.edu
  8. Alaska students - We can accept the N95 fit test record from your fit testing at Providence.

  9. After your fit test is completed, please upload your N95 fit testing documentation to our Microsoft Form:

    Documentation must include the following information:

    • Full name
    • Vendor/Facility or Company name/location/phone or email
    • Respirator make or model
    • Qualitative or Quantitative fit testPass/Fail
    • Fit tester name and signature
    • Date of fit test
       
  10. If you fail your fit test on all 3 models, please contact Laura Ellis lbellis@uw.edu for other options.
  11. Religious accommodations can be requested by emailing Laura Ellis lbellis@uw.edu. Students who receive an accommodation must obtain documentation of successful donning of a PAPR.
  12. No exception will be made for an exemption to the clean-shaven requirement for N95 respirator fit testing that is not based on a medical, religious, or disability-related accommodation. You do not need to maintain a clean-shaven face at all times, but you must be fit tested and then know that respirator will fit you should you choose to shave again within the year. The CDC provides guidance for facial hair styles that will not interfere with the respirator forming a tight seal. Please see the CDC’s guide on facial hairstyles and filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs).

Costs:

The cost of N95 fit testing can vary depending on the vendor and location. Cost is a student responsibility. The SOM does not reimburse. However, if you are receiving financial aid, you can request that the expense be added to your budget by contacting the Financial Aid Office at somfao@uw.edu.
 

Prerequisites for N95 mask fit testing
N95 Policy Page