Health Requirements

Tuberculosis Screening  Immunizations  Courses

As you prepare for your arrival at UMBC, there are some health-related requirements that you must meet before you arrive on campus. Each item is listed below. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

For more information on insurance requirements or for International student insurance information, please visit the Insurance Waiver and Mandate page.

If you have questions regarding the requirements, recommendations, or deadlines, please call 410-455-2542 or go to our Insurance and Immunizations/Forms pages. Best wishes for a healthy and satisfying experience at UMBC.

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Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire

Tuberculosis screening is an important part of our efforts to protect the health and safety of our campus and is required for all new students. This is done by an initial questionnaire that is found on your student portal.  If you received notice that you need additional lab testing and or x-rays, please check your messages in your portal, or call 410-455-2542 for additional help in satisfying your requirements.  Until you complete this questionnaire and complete any subsequent requirements, you will not be able to register for next semester’s classes.  

For additional resources be sure to check out the CDC’s Tuberculosis Factsheet.

Tuberculosis (QuantiFERON) blood testing can be done at RIH. 

Only select students will need to do this blood testing. Schedule an appointment only if you were instructed to do so based on your responses to the tuberculosis screening questionnaire or by other specific directions from RIH staff.  Appointments are available by calling 410-455-2542.  Convenient testing clinics are also held in the fall, check this website for details when they become available.  You may also request an order to be sent directly to Quest Laboratory and have your test drawn at any of their locations at your convenience. The nearest site is on Maiden Choice Lane, on a UMBC transit route.  Note that test results older than 6 months prior to the start of your first class at UMBC are not accepted in most cases.

Schedule as soon as possible. Appointments fill up quickly and you will not be able to register for your second semester classes until all requirements are met.

***If you have already met this testing requirement, please do not repeat testing. Testing twice will not be covered by insurance.***

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Immunizations

In an effort to maintain a healthy campus environment, all new and transfer UMBC students are REQUIRED to review and follow the instructions on the Health/Immunization Form by August 15, 2024. Students who do not meet this requirement will be blocked from subsequent course registration until these requirements have been completed.  (Your initial semester course registration is not dependent on these requirements).  Documentation must include specific dates of immunizations and screening tests (month, day, year).  For those living on campus, Residential Life requires submission of meningitis vaccination information prior to move-in.  

***If you have not submitted the required proof of immunizations, you will not be able to register for classes for future semesters.***

myRetrieverCare Portal Health Form Help Video:

The following immunizations are required for UMBC students:

• ALL:
  • Two MMR vaccines (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) after your 1st birthday (unless you were born before 1957)
    • If you are unsure if you have completed the MMR vaccine series, or cannot obtain your records, you can schedule an appointment at RIH to have your blood drawn to test your immunity levels (titers).
• RESIDENTIAL:
  • Meningitis (MCV4): Maryland law requires that all students living in on-campus housing have a meningitis vaccine protecting against at least the four serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 within the preceding 5 years of moving into on-campus student housing, or sign a waiver stating that they understand the risks of meningitis infection and elect not to have the vaccine.
    • Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are often severe, can be deadly, and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease. Vaccination can be obtained at one’s primary care provider, many pharmacies, urgent care centers, health department clinics, and Retriever Integrated Health. Check your insurance coverage to minimize potential out-of-pocket costs.
  • Note that the Office of Residential Life tracks meningitis vaccination and waivers separately from RIH in order to determine eligibility to move in to residence halls.  If you are unvaccinated, but signed the waiver, please understand that your compliance status on your health portal may not be updated until after move-in.

Recommended Immunizations:

• Seasonal Influenza: available at RIH and fall shot clinics
• COVID-19 (most recent version): available at fall shot clinics
• Tdap: available at RIH
• Hepatitis B: available at RIH
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): available at RIH
• Varicella (chickenpox) *not available at RIH
• Meningococcal B disease *not available at RIH

Most of the immunizations listed above can also be obtained at your local health provider’s office, health department, pharmacy, urgent care center, or by appointment at RIH. Please check your insurance coverage and call ahead to confirm availability.

• UMBC Health/Immunization Form
• Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire on myRetrieverCare
• CDC Immunization Schedule
• CDC Travel Vaccines

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