What is involved?
School health exam requirements are specified in the California Health and Safety Code: California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 432. Your child's health exam should include:
- Health and developmental history
- Unclothed, complete physical examination
- Oral health assessment
- Nutrition assessment
- Vaccinations, appropriate for age
- Vision screening
- Hearing screening
- Screening for anemia, lead, urine abnormalities, tuberculosis, etc.
- Health education and anticipatory guidance
Why is this required?
The School Entry Health Exam is intended to detect problems that may interfere with effective learning. Early identification and treatment are important because an undetected health problem can hamper your child's progress in school.
When Does it need to be done?
California Law requires that the Health Examination for School Entry be completed sometime between 18 months before entering first grade and 3 months after entering into first grade.
How do I fulfill This requirement?
Nea collects the Report of Health Examination for School Entry form as part of the kindergarten enrollment process along with required vaccination records.
Who should do the exam and complete the form?
The school health exam must be performed (and the Report of Health Examination for School Entry form completed) by a health care provider licensed in the State of California, such as:
- A licensed physician or physician's assistant
- A certified pediatric/family nurse practitioner
- Your family's usual source of medical care, such as a private doctor, a community clinic, health department clinics, HMOs, military facilities, etc.
Where can I get this exam?
No-cost health exams are available to eligible children through the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program. The CHDP program assists families in meeting the school entry health exam requirement by linking families with local CHDP providers for health assessments.
If you do not want or cannot obtain a health exam for your child, a waiver (signed by a legal guardian) is acceptable. However, this is strongly discouraged. The waiver is primarily intended to be used for reasons of deeply held personal beliefs, not as a matter of convenience.