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Student Health Form Requirements for School Attendance

Review this page to ensure your student is ready for a healthy school year!

Healthy bodies and minds are the foundation of academic success. Immunizations and regular visits to the doctor help protect students’ health and readiness to learn. Students are required to submit a Universal Health Certificate and an Oral Health Assessment to the school each year (DC Code § 38–601 et seq.). Additionally, students are required to stay up-to-date on all required immunizations or risk being removed from school (DC Code § 38–501 et seq.). Schools must verify every student’s immunization compliance as part of enrollment and attendance (see the Immunization Attendance Policy for more details).

FIND A FREE VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY NEAR YOU!

  • Mobile Vaccination Units – DC Health has placed free mobile medical units at schools and additional sites at recreation centers, COVID Centers, and other community locations in all eight wards. Dates and locations can be found here. 
  • COVID Centers – The COVID-19 vaccine is available for free to any individual age 6 months and older at the District’s COVID Centers located in all eight wards. More information on accessing the COVID-19 vaccine is available on the District’s coronavirus website.

If your family needs access to health insurance, please visit the DC Health Link website or contact the Citywide Call Center by dialing 3-1-1. For more information on benefits available to students enrolled in DC Medicaid, including vision services and dental services, please see DC Health Check.

Annual Student Health Forms

Students are required to complete and submit the following health forms to their school each year. These documents help inform school health personnel of student health conditions so they may provide necessary health services. Schools that participate in the DC Health School Health Services Program have a school health suite that is staffed by a combination of Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Allied Health Professionals. All health suite staff collaborate with school personnel to ensure student health needs are met during the school day.

Required Health Forms

1. Universal Health Certificate

Q: Who completes the form?
A: Part 1 is completed by the student’s parent or guardian; Parts 2-4 are completed by the student’s licensed health care provider (e.g., a pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or physician associate/assistant)   

Q: When do I submit the form to the school?      
A: Submit these forms with enrollment documents for the new school year.    

Q: Who collects the form?      
A: Each school has a process in place for collection. Some schools utilize a registrar, data manager, or front office staff member for collection. The form is then shared with the school nurse or health personnel. Contact your school if you are not sure how to submit!

2. Oral Health Assessment

Q: Who completes this form?
A: Part 1 is completed by the student’s parent or guardian; Part 2 is completed by the student’s dental provider

Q: When do I submit the form to school?
A: Submit these forms with enrollment documents for the new school year.

Q: Who collects the form?
A: Each school has a process in place for collection. Some schools utilize a registrar, data manager, or front office staff member for collection. The form is then shared with the school nurse or health personnel. Contact your school if you are not sure how to submit!

Based on your student’s specific health needs, they may require an Asthma Action Plan, Action Plan for Anaphylaxis or a Medication and Medical Procedure Treatment Plan. These forms can be accessed at the DC Health School Health Services Program webpage. Please speak with your student’s primary care provider or your school’s health personnel if you have questions.

Student Immunizations

To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, all students must be fully immunized before entering school. Immunizations are the best defense against some of the most common, debilitating and sometimes deadly infectious diseases impacting children and adolescents. All students must have an up-to-date immunization certification on file with the school within the first 20 school days or they will risk not being allowed to attend school or school-based activities until the certification is secured by the school. For more information, please visit the District of Columbia Immunization Attendance Policy.

Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is required for school enrollment and attendance in the District of Columbia for all students who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine that has been fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently, students age 12 and older are eligible for the fully approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and must complete their primary vaccine series (two doses) in order to attend school.

Take steps now to ensure your student is caught up on all their required immunizations before the school year begins! More resources are available below.

If your student has additional health needs that need to be addressed while at school, such as medication, dietary restrictions, asthma or allergies, please ensure the health forms are completed and the school health personnel are aware of these health needs. Please visit the DC Health School Health Services Program webpage for more information.

 

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