Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Health Clearance FAQs March 2018

Health Clearance Requirements (Required for All Students)


What are the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa health clearance requirements?

University of Hawaiʻi health clearance requirements consist of two things:
1) Tuberculosis clearance testing done within 1 year prior to enrollment, and
2) Documentation of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunity as described below

The Hawai’i Department of Health has proposed adding additional required immunizations. Although
not currently required for enrollment, these additional vaccines are: a) Meningococcal, b)
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap), and c) Varicella. The Meningococcal vaccine is STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED for college students, especially students who intend to live in the campus residence
halls, as there is an increased risk of this highly contagious disease in this campus population. The
serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) vaccination should also be considered; please discuss with your
health care provider.

Other vaccines highly recommended include: a) Polio, b) Human Papilloma Virus, c) Hepatitis A and
d) Hepatitis B. All vaccines are available at the University Health Services Mānoa.


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Why does the University of Hawaiʻi have health clearance requirements?

Immunizing individuals helps to protect the health of our student body and University community.
The State of Hawai‘i mandates the Tuberculosis and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) clearances
be met for entrance to post-secondary educational institutions. (Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, DOH
Title 11, Chapter 157).

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What happens if I have not met the University of Hawaiʻi health clearance requirements?

You may not attend classes until you have received health clearance.

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How do I submit my health clearance documentation to University Health Services?

Health clearance forms can be faxed to: (808) 956-3583, mailed, or sent via a secure email using FileDrop (see procedure below):

Mail:
University of Hawaiʻi
University Health Services Mānoa
1710 East West Road, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

OR

FileDropping (Securely emailing) Your Medical Records:
In order to send us your health records, you will need to have web access and have your health information stored on the device that you're using (computer, phone, tablet, etc).

  1. From any web browser, go to https://www.hawaii.edu/filedrop
  2. Click on the green box on the right side of the screen asking you to login.
  3. Click the Login Here link, and login using your UH username and password.
  4. After you've logged in, you will be redirected to a page that allows you to input a recipient.
  5. In the recipient field, type: UHSM. You will need to retype this in the Confirm Recipient field.
  6. Check the box for Require Authentication.
  7. It is optional, but you may include what it is that you're sending in the Comment field, such as "Insurance Card" or "Health Clearance".
  8. After you've filled out both Recipient fields, click Proceed.
  9. Click the Choose File button to browse for your medical records. (You may input a description in regards to each file, but it is not necessary)
  10. Click the Start Upload button.
  11. You will be redirected to a confirmation page with the link to your uploaded file. You're finished!

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What are the Tuberculosis health clearance requirements?

  • All students must complete the TB Risk Assessment Form and have a U.S. licensed healthcare
    provider (M.D., D.O., A.P.R.N., or P.A.) sign your completed form.
  • If coming from a foreign country, the U.S. licensed healthcare provider must document the state
    he/she is licensed in and license number.
  • If your TB Risk Assessment is positive, a TB skin test or blood test, and possibly a chest x-ray are
    required.
  • The TB Risk Assessment Form may be completed at the University Health Services Mānoa, Hawai’i
    State Department of Health - Lanakila Health Center, or a private physician’s office or clinic.
  • If a TB skin test is needed, testing takes 2 to 7 days to complete. Please allow enough time if
    completing this in the U.S.
    • If your tuberculin skin test or tuberculin blood test is positive a chest x-ray is required.
    • Your tuberculin skin test must be read in 48 to 72 hours and documented in millimeters, i.e.,
      0mm. A “negative” reading is not acceptable. A four day reading is not accepted.
  • If you have recently taken the MMR vaccine you must wait 4 weeks to take the tuberculin skin test
    or tuberculin blood test. Do NOT take the tuberculin skin test or tuberculin blood testing. You may
    have a chest x- ray done to preliminarily complete the tuberculin requirement.

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What is the reason for having the Tuberculosis health clearance requirements?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that is spread through the air. It usually affects the
lungs, but may damage other parts of the body as well and cause serious illness. People catch TB from
someone who already has it. Anyone, of any nationality or age, can get TB, and without treatment,
they can die. The good news is that with proper medication, TB can be cured.

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How can I meet the Tuberculosis health clearance requirements?

Complete the TB Risk Assessment. If your TB Risk Assessment is positive, a TB skin test or blood
test, and possibly a chest x-ray are required.

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What are the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) health clearance requirements?

You must prove immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) diseases.

  • Two doses of the live measles vaccine, with at least one being an MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine.
  • Your first dose must have been given on or after your first birthday.
  • Your second MMR vaccine must have been given at least 4 weeks after the first vaccine.
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunizations may be waived if:
    • You have a blood test to prove your immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. The measles, mumps and rubella titers are needed, OR
    • You were born before 1957

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How can I meet the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) health clearance requirements?

Provide documentation of immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella diseases by blood tests, or documentation of receiving the vaccines.

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Where can I receive Tuberculosis clearance?

  • Out of the United States – A TB Risk Assessment must be performed by a U.S. licensed healthcare
    practitioner (M.D., D.O., A.P.R.N., or P.A.), within one year prior to enrollment. The U.S. licensed
    healthcare practitioner must document the state he/she is licensed in and license number. OR
  • The University Health Services Mānoa. We are located on upper campus below Kennedy Theater.
    Our address is 1710 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822. OR
  • Hawaii State Department of Health - Lanakila Health Center. Please call 808-832-5731 for location
    and hours.

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Where can I receive mumps, measles, and rubella testing?

  • Your personal provider, OR
  • Your country, OR
  • The University Health Services Mānoa. We are located on upper campus below Kennedy Theater.
    Our address is 1710 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.

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When is University Health Services open to meet health clearance requirements?

We are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. No TB skin test is administered on
Thursdays. Appointments are encouraged but not required.

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Can I obtain my health clearance at places other than University Health Services Mānoa?

Yes, you can obtain health clearance from your physician or clinic. We only need the signed
documentation of your TB and MMR health records by a U.S. licensed healthcare practitioner.

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I am currently not in the United States, is it possible to meet the University of Hawaiʻi health clearance requirements before coming to begin school?

Yes! The TB Risk Assessment, and/or tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray may be performed in your
country by a U.S. licensed healthcare practitioner (M.D., D.O., A.P.R.N., or P.A.). The U.S. licensed
healthcare practitioner must document the state he/she is licensed in and license number. The MMR
vaccines or blood testing can be done in your country and does NOT require it to be done by a U.S.
licensed healthcare practitioner.

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