Exemptions may be allowed for sincerely held religious beliefs, practice, or observance and/or documented medical reasons. WSU Extension programs, following the Governor’s proclamation (21-14.1), require volunteers to:
- document their fully vaccinated status, OR
- receive an approved exemption before they are eligible to engage in work on behalf of the program on or after October 18. Should you wish to pursue an exemption, you are encouraged to begin the exemption process as soon as possible to allow ample time for exemption consideration.
The exemption request process for volunteers is being handled at the Extension administrative level, and not at the program or county level, in contrast to the vaccination verification process. The exemptions requests are of two types, Medical Exemptions and Religious Exemptions. There are two separate processes (details are below) for submission and for review at the Extension level. Both processes are initiated by the volunteer that is requesting the exemption.
The needed forms are available to volunteers below:
- Medical Exemption Requests – the volunteer accesses the COVID_19 Vaccine Medical Exemption 9_27_21 (pdf) and completes Parts A – C. The remainder of the form requires completion by the volunteer’s Health Care Provider. The Health Care Provider or volunteer submits the completed form to the WSU Extension address on the form (extension.vaccine.exemption@wsu.edu or FAX: 509-335-1065; or PO Box 646242, Pullman WA 99164-6242). WSU will review the exemption form submission and work directly with the volunteer regarding their requested exemption.
- Religious Exemption Requests – the volunteer accesses the COVID_19 Vaccine Religious Exemption Request Form 9_27_19 (pdf), completes the form fully, and submits the completed form to the WSU Extension addresses on the form (extension.vaccine.exemption@wsu.edu or FAX: 509-335-1065; or PO Box 646242, Pullman WA 99164-6242). This form has information identifying the volunteer (which will be removed before the request is reviewed) and a set of questions to be completed by the volunteer. Extension’s review process is aligned with that used by WSU for employees and students and involves a blind review done by trained WSU personnel.
For both exemption requests, submission, review, and correspondence back to the volunteer about the outcome of the process will be done at the Extension administrative level (not Program or County level). Volunteer Program Directors will be notified of approved exemptions, for purposes of program implementation. However, this is confidential information and will not be shared with program participants.
The specific nature of accommodations will be consistent with those for WSU students and employees.
Exemption Request Forms
Below are the exemption request forms for print or download.
For information on digitally filling and signing PDF forms, please see WSU’s guide on Using Digital Signatures in Adobe Acrobat Forms.