Student Entrance Requirements
The following section provides information about Los Angeles County school entrance requirements for students enrolling into grades K to 12.
| GENERAL QUESTIONS |
ANSWERS |
| Who Needs A Skin Test? |
Students who have never attended a California school must present written evidence of a Mantoux (PPD) skin test. Multiple puncture tine tests are not acceptable.
- All kindergarten students. Tests must be given within 1 year prior to school entry. This does not affect preschool or day care as these settings have their own TB skin testing requirements.
- All other students in grades 1-12 who have never attended any school in California
Please Note:
- This test could have been performed at any previous time.
- If the student previously attended any California school (public, private, or parochial), the student is exempt from this requirement.
|
| What Does A Student Bring To School? |
A form from the doctor or health facility with the following information:
- Type of test. Mantoux (PPD) only. Tests given by multiple puncture tine tests are not acceptable.
- Date of test.
- Skin Test Results.
Skin test reading must be done by a healthcare provider. Negative is acceptable if reading is less than 10 mm. If skin test result is 10 mm or more of induration (positive), written results of a chest x-ray and/or statement that the child is free of communicable TB is required.
- Signature of doctor or designee.
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| In Los Angeles County, what students must have a TB test? |
At enrollment, all kindergarten entrants and all students grades 1-12 who never previously attended a California school. They must provide written documentation of a TB test using the Mantoux technique. Kindergarten entrants must have had this test within the year prior to the first day of school |
| My child attended school in California and left the country for several years. Does s/he need a skin test when he returns? |
No. Students who previously attended a California school are exempt from the requirement, even if they have never had a skin test. |
| My child is transferring from another school within California. Does my child need a skin test? |
No. Students entering at any grade level from any other California school (public, private, or parochial) are exempt from the requirement even if they never received a skin test. |
| Can my child attend school with a new positive skin test? |
Yes. A student can enter a school after the school nurse or the family’s health provider in the community reads the skin test. A student can be conditionally admitted for up to 20 school days until a negative X-ray result or a notation from the family's health provider is received stating that the student is free of communicable TB. If the school does not receive the documentation, the child may be excluded from school. |
| In the past, my child had a positive skin test and/or took medication for TB prescribed by our doctor. What do I need to bring to school to allow him/her to be enrolled? |
A child with a previous positive skin test must bring documentation from a health care provider of previous skin test and chest x-ray results, treatment if any, and a current statement from a health care provider that he/she is free of communicable TB. |
| If a student or staff member is found to have active TB, what does the County Health Department do? |
If the health department determines that a student or staff member is contagious, they will not be allowed to remain in school. Persons sharing the air space with this person will be tested for TB. The student or staff will not be allowed back to school until they are no longer contagious and receive medical clearance. |
*California State Immunization Record contains all of the above information.
Please Note:
- A chest x-ray instead of a skin test is not acceptable unless the doctor medically waives the skin test.
- Students with a history of BCG must have a skin test unless the doctor certifies in writing that the child is free of communicable TB.
- A child age 12 or older may sign consent for TB skin test or x-ray.
- The Mantoux test should be given prior to, or simultaneously with, any measles containing vaccine. If a measles containing vaccine has already been given, the Mantoux should be deferred for 1 month as this may cause a false negative result. The child should be admitted to school conditionally for that month.
- A child with a positive skin test can be admitted to school conditionally for up to 20 school days while awaiting chest x-ray clearance.
For questions call the TB Control Program at (213) 744-6160 or (213) 744-6151.
