Washington School Medication Authorization for Kinship Caregivers

Two Signatures, Not One

When a child in Washington needs school staff to administer medication covered by RCW 28A.210.260, the school needs a written, current request from a parent, legal guardian, or other person with legal control of the student, plus a written request from a licensed health professional with prescriptive authority. The statute permits schools to administer these medications but does not require them to do so. Asthma or anaphylaxis self-administration has separate requirements under RCW 28A.210.370.

For kinship caregivers, the RCW 7.70.065 declaration supports routine medical consent but does not replace the separate school medication requirements.

How the Authorization Works

The school medication authorization form (sometimes called a "Medication at School" or "Authorization for Medication Administration" form) is a two-part document:

Part 1 — Provider section: The child's prescribing physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed health professional with prescriptive authority provides the written request and medication instructions. For medication needed for more than fifteen consecutive workdays, the provider must also provide written instructions about administration.

Part 2 — Adult request: The parent, legal guardian, or other person with legal control of the student provides the written, current request for school administration. Ask the district how it recognizes a kinship caregiver's authority for this purpose.

Both written requests must be on file before the school administers medication. Follow the district's form process; an incomplete request is not enough.

Your Authority to Sign

As a kinship caregiver with a valid RCW 7.70.065 health declaration, you have statutory authority to consent to routine medical care. But the school medication statute asks for a request from a parent, legal guardian, or other person with legal control of the student; the health declaration alone does not necessarily establish that school status. Show your declaration and any district Caregiver Authorization Form and confirm which document the district accepts.

If the school nurse or office asks whether you're the "parent or legal guardian," explain your role and provide the documents the district uses to recognize caregiver authority. Enrollment by itself does not replace the medication requests required by RCW 28A.210.260.

Getting the Form Completed

Step 1: Get the medication authorization form from the school. Most Washington school districts use a standardized form available from the school nurse's office or the district website. Some districts have separate forms for daily medications versus emergency medications (inhalers, EpiPens).

Step 2: Take the form to the child's next doctor appointment, or schedule a brief visit specifically for this purpose. The provider fills out their section during the visit.

Step 3: The adult with authority under the district's medication policy signs the request section. If your status is unclear, confirm it with the school before signing.

Step 4: Return the completed form to the school nurse along with the medication in its original pharmacy-labeled container. Schools will not accept medication in unlabeled bottles or baggies.

Renewals and Changes

Many districts require renewed medication paperwork each school year. Confirm the expiration date with the nurse; asthma or anaphylaxis self-administration authorization under RCW 28A.210.370 is effective only for that school and school year and must be renewed annually.

If the doctor changes the dose, switches medications, or adds a new one mid-year, a new or amended authorization form is required before the school can administer the updated prescription.

Emergency Medications

For asthma or anaphylaxis medication, RCW 28A.210.370 allows a student to carry and self-administer when the health care practitioner prescribed the medication, the student demonstrated the necessary skill to the practitioner and a school nurse, the practitioner prepared a written treatment plan, and the student's parent or guardian submitted the required documents. Ask the school which documents it needs from a kinship caregiver.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Most Washington school districts will not administer over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, antihistamines) without a provider's written order and your signed consent. Even though these don't require a prescription at the pharmacy, the school treats them the same as prescription medications for liability purposes.

If the child regularly needs OTC medication during school hours, have the doctor include it on the medication authorization form during the next visit.

What If the School Pushes Back?

If the school nurse says they can't accept your request because you're not the legal guardian, show the documents the district has on file and ask what qualifies as "other person having legal control" for medication authorization. If needed, ask for the building administrator or district health services coordinator. Enrollment paperwork alone does not satisfy the separate medication authorization requirements.

The Washington Consent Guide for Kinship Caregivers covers school medication authorization alongside the other school-facing forms you'll encounter, including the specific language to use if the school nurse questions your authority.

See more Washington guides →