March 15, 2023: You Will No Longer Need to Show Proof of Vaccination

Notice: Effective March 15, 2023, pursuant to the Policy on Vaccination Program-With Interim Amendments issued by the Office of the President, students enrolled in UC Berkeley Extension programs and courses will no longer be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to enrollment. We continue to strongly encourage all enrolled students to have received a primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent eligible boosters.

Students enrolled in a UC Berkeley Extension course scheduled in an off-campus, non-University of California location must follow that location’s policy. Any location-specific requirements, if different, will be communicated to applicable students prior to the beginning of instruction.

Surveillance Testing

The surveillance testing requirement has been removed for faculty, staff and students who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine booster if eligible and the flu vaccine.

Flu Vaccine Requirement

Effective October 8, 2021, a University of California Presidential Executive Order on a flu vaccine mandate for 2022–2023 requires you to get vaccinated against influenza for the flu season (currently August 1, 2022-April 30, 2023). Read more about this policy. 

Masking Requirement

Effective March 7: Per campus policy, masks will not be required—though highly encouraged—indoors for those who are fully vaccinated. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine booster if eligible and the flu vaccine. If you are attending an in-person class at one of our partner institutions, please follow the institution’s updated policy, which will be shared with you.

Partner Locations

In addition to meeting UC Berkeley requirements, if you are taking a class at a partner institution, you may need to fulfill additional requirements. Information will be sent by your instructor and/or academic department closer to the start of your course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be required to be present in classrooms for in-person classes?
Students enrolled in classroom (in-person) or hybrid courses should plan on being present in classrooms.

Will every in-person class be required to offer a remote option?
Courses that are coded as classroom or hybrid will meet completely or partially in person, and physical attendance is expected. These courses are not required to offer a remote option. Please reach out to us to help advise on suitable classes delivered remote/online if you are unable to attend in-person class as planned.

What is “instructional format”?
Instructional types or formats is the manner in which a course is delivered in a given term. You can search classes with a specific instructional format by using the format filter in the course search, including classroom (in-person), Live Online, online fixed date or online start anytime.

How can I determine the instructional format or type for a particular class before enrolling?
Navigate to your chosen academic area of study, select "Courses" and use the "Locations: or "Formats" filter in the class schedule. Once you identify the course that interests you, select "Learn More About This Course." 

Will lectures be recorded?
A lecture is recorded at the discretion of the instructor. Decisions about recording will therefore vary from class to class, and may not be the same for all components of any one course. Please review the course’s syllabus for details.

If my lectures are recorded, where can I find the recordings?
Please consult with your instructor(s) as the methods of storing recordings may differ from class to class.

Will I need to wear a mask while attending classes in person?
For those who are vaccinated, face coverings are not mandary—though highly encouraged—indoors. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, you must have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine booster if eligible and the flu vaccine. Please find the criteria of acceptable face coverings and other information. 

What if I have symptoms?
You should arrange for a COVID test right away and self-sequester (do not go to classes or work in-person) until you receive a test result. Please reach out to your instructor(s) and ask for accommodation options as needed. If you have any questions/concerns about your symptoms, or experience moderate to severe symptoms, please contact your medical provider.

What if I test positive?
Follow the instructions given by your medical provider, including but not limited to notifying your close contacts that you tested positive and that they should get tested. Then follow the isolation guidelines. You can also use the free CA Notify App that allows you to find out if you were exposed to COVID-19 and notify others if you test positive while remaining anonymous. Please reach out to your instructor(s) and ask for accommodation options as needed.

What if I am informed that I was in close contact with someone who tested positive?
First, if you have symptoms, stay home and self-isolate and get tested now and again 3-5 days from your exposure; you should get tested as soon as possible. Stay home until you have tested negative with two home antigen tests (separated by 24 hours) or a single PCR test, unless an alternative diagnosis is found.

You do not need to test if you had COVID within the past 90 days, unless you develop symptoms.

No quarantine is required if you have no symptoms and one of the following applies:

• You already had COVID within the past 90 days.
• You are fully vaccinated and boosted, or fully vaccinated and not eligible for booster (<5 months since mRNA series or <2 months since J&J).

You should wear face coverings in all settings, self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days and get tested 3-5 days after the exposure. (PCR test is best.)

Quarantine is required for everyone else for 5-10 days while wearing a mask for 10 days in all settings and getting tested 3-5 days after the exposure. (PCR test is best.)

• People living in congregate settings (student housing, Greeks, CoOps, residential programs) must quarantine for 10 days, returning to normal activities on day 11, even if day 5 test is negative.
• Everyone else can leave quarantine on day 6 if day 5 test is negative and you remain asymptomatic.

Disclaimer: All of the answers above are based upon current public health mandates and guidance and current campus pandemic directives. As manadates, guidance and directives are modified, these answers could change.