Every deadline, every form, every requirement for the 2026–2027 school year.
California requires specific immunization records, a physical exam, and an oral health assessment before your child can start school. Here's every form — the CDPH 286 immunization record, the Report of Health Examination (PM 171a), the Oral Health Assessment, and the 7th-grade checkpoint — where to get each one, and the exact deadlines. All facts cited to official California sources.
Last verified: October 29, 2026 — all official source links confirmed active.
California school forms each have their own deadline. Immunization records are due before the first day of school — no exceptions. The physical exam and oral health assessment have separate filing windows. Here is every California school health form deadline for the 2026–2027 school year.
The answer depends on which form. The CDPH 286 immunization record is due before the first day of school — no conditional enrollment (SB 277). The physical exam is due within 18 months before or 90 days after 1st-grade entry. The oral health assessment must be completed within 12 months before kindergarten or 1st-grade enrollment. Below is every form, every deadline, and the official source for each.
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)
Every California school health form has a different filing window. Here are the exact deadlines for the 2026–2027 school year, by form:
| Form | Who needs it | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| CDPH 286 (immunization record) | All students K–12 | Before the first day of school — no conditional enrollment (SB 277) |
| Physical exam (PM 171a) | 1st grade entry (many districts extend to K) | Within 18 months before or 90 days after entering 1st grade |
| Oral health assessment | Kindergarten and 1st grade | Within 12 months before enrollment |
| 7th grade checkpoint (Tdap + varicella) | Students entering 7th grade | Tdap on or after 10th birthday + 2nd varicella dose — before 7th grade entry |
| Vision screening | First enrollment, then grades 2, 5, 8 | Conducted on-site by the school (or pediatrician records accepted) |
| Hearing screening | K or 1st grade, then grades 2, 5, 8, 10 | Conducted on-site by the school (or pediatrician records accepted) |
Sources: shotsforschool.org, California Department of Education, California Dept. of Public Health — all accessed October 24, 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 →
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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.
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