Good health allows Iowa students to focus on learning and sets them up for success. To support healthy students, the Iowa Department of Public Health has established health requirements for enrollment in specific grade levels.
In Iowa, four health screening programs – immunization, dental, vision and lead – are regulated by the state and implemented by schools. School nurses are a key resource in ensuring families and schools fulfill the requirements by providing information and assistance in accessing Iowa HHS approved forms. Families may choose from immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional records to meet enrollment requirements using the links below.
Schools are recommended to communicate with families about approved record options to satisfy enrollment requirements, including immunization, immunization exemptions (medical or religious), or provisional. Iowa HHS has numerous resources that are used to effectively communicate information on vaccinations, vaccine requirements, and proof of immunization requirements or exemptions to families.
Required for Families: An approved form from Iowa HHS is required to enroll. Families need to submit a copy of an immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional form to the school. There are additional options for learners who are experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act or learners who have an active duty member in their household entitled to provisions under the Interstate Compact on Education of Military Children.
Required for Schools: School nurses review records and may issue an approved provisional form in collaboration with their local public health department to audit the process.
Children are not allowed to enroll without an approved form from Iowa HHS. Provisionals that expire without receipt of an approved Iowa HHS form from parents require school administration officials to exclude the learner.
Required for Families: An approved form from Iowa HHS is required to enroll. Families need to submit a copy of an immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional form to the school. There are additional options for learners who are experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act or learners who have an active duty member in their household entitled to provisions under the Interstate Compact on Education of Military Children.
Required for Schools: School nurses review records and may issue an approved provisional form in collaboration with their local public health department to audit the process.
Children are not allowed to enroll without an approved form from Iowa HHS. Provisionals that expire without receipt of an approved Iowa HHS form from parents require school administration officials to exclude the learner.
Required for Families: The screening must occur no earlier than age 3 and no later than four months after enrollment.
A licensed dentist, dental hygienist, physician, physician assistant, RN or ARNP can complete the screening.
The screening must use the HHS Certificate of Dental Screening.
Required for Schools: School nurses will collect dental screening information and provide information to I-Smile Coordinators who are conducting the audit process for compliance.
There is no school exclusion for this requirement.
Required for Families: All children are required to have at least one lead test. There is no need for parents to provide this health record to your child’s school
Schools will inform parents of children who need to be tested.
Required for Schools: Schools will collect demographic information in a spreadsheet and provide it to the Iowa HHS.
Schools do not need to collect results of blood lead testing.
HHS compares statewide lead data with the demographic information to see which children need a blood lead test.
Schools inform parents if their child needs a test.
HHS audits the number of referrals and number of completed tests.
Required for Families: All children are required to have a vision screening no earlier than 1 year prior and no later than six months after enrollment.
An ophthalmologist, pediatrician, physician or professional licensed for this test can perform the screening.
Required for Schools: Schools are required to provide the Student Vision Card to all enrolling parents or guardians.
Required for Families: An approved form from Iowa HHS is required to enroll. Families need to submit a copy of an immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional form to the school. There are additional options for learners who are experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act or learners who have an active duty member in their household entitled to provisions under the Interstate Compact on Education of Military Children.
Required for Schools: School nurses review records and may issue an approved provisional form in collaboration with their local public health department to audit the process.
Children are not allowed to enroll without an approved form from Iowa HHS. Provisionals that expire without receipt of an approved Iowa HHS form from parents require school administration officials to
Required for Families: All students entering 9th grade are required to have a dental screening.
A licensed dentist or dental hygienist can perform the screening.
The screening must use the HHS Certificate of Dental Screening.
Required for Schools: School nurses will collect dental screening information and provide information to I-Smile Coordinators who are conducting the audit process for compliance.
There is no school exclusion for this requirement.
Required for Families: An approved form from Iowa HHS is required to enroll. Families need to submit a copy of an immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional form to the school. There are additional options for learners who are experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act or learners who have an active duty member in their household entitled to provisions under the Interstate Compact on Education of Military Children.
Required for Schools: School nurses review records and may issue an approved provisional form in collaboration with their local public health department to audit the process.
Children are not allowed to enroll without an approved form from Iowa HHS. Provisionals that expire without receipt of an approved Iowa HHS form from parents require school administration officials to
