PREP Act Authorization for Health Care Workers with Expired or Inactive Licenses to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines
What’s New?
The Washington State Department of Health, in partnership with our health profession boards and commissions, is taking action to support retired health care workers or those with inactive licenses to more easily get back into the workforce to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
The goal is to ensure we have a robust workforce to help us bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please find the attached Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorization (PDF) from Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah for health care workers with expired or inactive licenses to administer COVID-19 vaccines under certain circumstances.
How do I participate?
To participate, health care workers must register for WAserv.
Step-by-step instructions on how to register can be found here.
Before registering, participants will need to have access to previous Washington state credential numbers, which may be obtained through the Department of Health's Provider Credential Search website. The Department of Health will also be checking out of state credentials for any disciplinary history.
After registering, participants must wait to receive confirmation from the Department of Health that they are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines under Dr. Shah’s authorization.
Questions about registration? Please email WAserv.
More Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 vaccine training
- Department of Heath COVID-19 vaccine training resources
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS):
State vs Federal Authorization. What’s the difference?
Certain health care workers with expired/inactive licenses may qualify for PREP Act coverage under both state and federal authorizations. Secretary of Health Shah’s authorization for Washington State currently allows broader participation. However, providers who meet both state and federal requirements may choose to qualify under either authorization. Current version of the federal authorization.