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 stay up to date on all required immunizations or risk being removed from school (DC Code § 38–501 et seq.). Additionally, 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.). Schools must verify every student’s immunization compliance as part of enrollment and attendance (see the School Immunization Policy for more details).
Immunizations are the best defense against some of the most common, debilitating and sometimes deadly infectious diseases impacting children and adolescents. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, all students must be fully immunized before entering school and before participating in school-based activities. For more information, please visit the District of Columbia School Immunization Policy.
FIND A FREE VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY NEAR YOU!
Take steps now to ensure your student is caught up on all their required immunizations before the school year begins! Visit the DC Health Immunization webpage for information on pediatric vaccine locations.
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.
One-Pager: Universal Health Certificate and Oral Health Assessment Submission and Review Process
Required Health Forms
1) Universal Health Certificate
- Spanish (Español) | Amharic (አማርኛ) | French (Français) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Korean ( 한국어 ) | Chinese (中文)
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!
- Spanish (Español) | Amharic (አማርኛ) | French (Français) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Korean ( 한국어 ) | Chinese (中文)
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. Some health care providers can submit an electronic Universal Health Certificate directly to the school on your behalf. Ask your health provider if they may submit the form electronically and request a paper copy for your personal records. 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.
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 and visit the OSSE Allergy Management in Schools webpage for more information on allergy management.
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.
For National Lead Poisoning Prevention week, the DC Managed Care Collaborative, the Department of Energy & the Environment and DC Public Library are hosting a Lead Awareness Event on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Click here for more information.
Take steps to protect your family from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and the flu. Review this flyer to learn more: