California requires specific immunization records, a physical exam, and an oral health assessment before your child can start school. Here's every form, where to get it, and the deadlines — all cited to official California sources.
Last verified: October 2, 2026
California's primary school immunization document is the CDPH 286, commonly called the "Blue Card." This form lists every required vaccine with specific dose dates. Schools cannot accept a child without it or an approved exemption on file.
Required vaccines for school entry (K–12):
7th grade checkpoint: Students entering 7th grade need a Tdap booster (on or after 10th birthday) and a 2nd dose of varicella vaccine.
California requires a health examination within 18 months before or 90 days after entering first grade (California Health & Safety Code §124040). Many districts extend this requirement to kindergarten. The exam must be completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
If your child doesn't have the exam, you can file a waiver (PM 171 A), but the school will send a reminder — and children without the exam may be sent home from school until it's completed.
(Source: California Department of Education — Health Examination Requirements, accessed September 6, 2026)
California requires a dental assessment for children entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time (California Health & Safety Code §104830). The assessment must be completed by a licensed dentist or dental health professional within the 12 months before enrollment.
Schools use the Oral Health Assessment Form (available from the school or downloadable from the state). If your child doesn't have access to a dentist, you can file a waiver — but the assessment is strongly recommended.
(Source: California Dept. of Public Health — Kindergarten Oral Health Requirement, accessed September 6, 2026)
California Education Code §49452 requires vision screening upon first enrollment in school and again in grades 2, 5, and 8. Hearing screening is required in kindergarten or first grade, and in grades 2, 5, 8, and 10 (Education Code §49452.1). Schools typically conduct these screenings on-site, but your pediatrician's exam results may also satisfy the requirement — check with your school.
(Source: California Dept. of Education — Health Screenings, accessed September 6, 2026)
Contact your county immunization program to request your child's record from the California Immunization Registry (CAIR2). Many counties offer online parent access. This tells you what's already documented — and what's missing.
Requirements can vary by district. Ask which physical exam form they accept and whether they need the oral health assessment on their own form or the state form.
Bring the school's forms and your CAIR2 printout. Your pediatrician can administer any missing vaccines, complete the physical exam, and fill out the CDPH 286. Do this early — August appointments fill up fast.
If your child is entering kindergarten or first grade, book the dental appointment now. The Oral Health Assessment Form needs to be submitted by the first day of school or shortly after.
Turn in the signed forms to the school office. Keep a copy of every document. Next year, next school, next state — you'll need these records again.
Every person in your family gets a private @families.familystork.com email address. Give it to your pediatrician, dentist, or school nurse — they send records to it, and the health story builds itself. Immunization dates, physical exam results, dental assessments — all filed automatically into one timeline.
Next August, when the school asks for updated records? They're already in one place. No scrambling through portals, no calling the old pediatrician, no searching for that paper card.
Since the passage of SB 277 (2015), California allows only medical exemptions to school immunization requirements. Personal belief exemptions are no longer accepted. Medical exemptions must be issued by a licensed physician (MD or DO) and, under SB 276 (2019), are subject to review by the California Department of Public Health for schools with immunization rates below 95%.
Governing statutes: California Health & Safety Code §120370–120375 (SB 277); Health & Safety Code §120372 (SB 276).
California Department of Public Health — Medical Exemptions →
Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.
Looking for a single place to keep your family's entire health story? Family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.
Comparing apps to keep your child's records organized? Best child health records apps 2026 — honest guide.
Need one checklist for all your child's health records? Child health records checklist — every document, every age.
Caring for an aging parent too? Gather their records from every doctor they ever had.
Sharing records with a babysitter or camp nurse? What helpers need — and what never to hand over.
California requires immunization records (CDPH 286) before the first day of school — there is no conditional enrollment for personal belief exemptions (SB 277). The physical exam must be completed within 18 months before or 90 days after entering 1st grade. The oral health assessment is required for kindergarten and 1st grade within 12 months before enrollment. The 7th-grade checkpoint (Tdap booster + 2nd varicella) must be complete before entry.
Contact your county immunization program to request your child's record from the California Immunization Registry (CAIR2). Many counties now offer online parent access portals. Your pediatrician can also query CAIR2 and print an official record. If your child received vaccines out of state, have those records sent to your California provider for entry into CAIR2.
No. Since SB 277 took effect in 2016, California allows only medical exemptions for school immunization requirements. Medical exemptions must be issued by a licensed physician (MD or DO) and, under SB 276 (2019), are subject to review by the California Department of Public Health for schools with immunization rates below 95%. See California Health & Safety Code §120370–120375.
For kindergarten entry, California requires three documents: the CDPH 286 immunization record (all required doses complete), the oral health assessment (dental exam within 12 months before enrollment), and the Report of Health Examination for School Entry (physical exam). Some districts may require additional forms — check with your school office.
Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically. Start your child's record today — the CDPH 286, the physical, the dental assessment, all in one timeline.
Start your family's record — free