Rhode Island · School Health Forms

Rhode Island school health form checklist:
every form you need for the 2026–2027 school year.

Rhode Island school immunization requirements are set under R.I. Gen. Laws §16-38-2, administered by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Rhode Island is one of a small number of states where only medical exemptions are recognized — religious exemptions were eliminated by H 7171 (Public Law 2022-030). Whether your child is starting kindergarten in Providence, entering 7th grade in Cranston, or transferring to a Warwick school, here is every required form and where to get records.

Last verified: September 2, 2026

The Checklist

1. Rhode Island Certificate of Immunization

Under R.I. Gen. Laws §16-38-2, no child may be admitted to a Rhode Island school without proof of required immunizations. The primary document is a signed certificate from a licensed healthcare provider or a KIDSNET printout verified by RIDOH.

Required vaccines for Rhode Island school entry:

DTaP — 5 doses (or 4 doses if 4th dose at age 4+)
IPV — 4 doses
MMR — 2 doses
Hepatitis B — 3 doses
Varicella — 2 doses (or documented immunity)
Hepatitis A — 2 doses (required for kindergarten entry)
Influenza — required annually for child care and pre-K programs (verify with your school for K-12)
Tdap booster — required at 7th grade entry
MenACWY — required at 7th grade entry

Hepatitis A is required for kindergarten entry in Rhode Island. Families relocating from states that don't require Hep A for school entry should verify the 2-dose series is complete before registering at Providence Public Schools or any RI school.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Health — Immunization Requirements for Schools; R.I. Gen. Laws §16-38-2, accessed Sep 2, 2026

2. KIDSNET — Rhode Island's immunization registry

KIDSNET is Rhode Island's statewide immunization information system, managed by RIDOH. Healthcare providers in Rhode Island enter vaccination records into KIDSNET. Your child's provider can access KIDSNET and print a current immunization history for school enrollment.

To get your child's Rhode Island immunization record:

Ask your child's primary care provider — they can access KIDSNET and print a current certificate.
Contact RIDOH's Immunization Program for record request guidance.
For out-of-state transfers, bring all prior vaccination documentation to the first Rhode Island provider appointment so records can be entered into KIDSNET.

Source: RIDOH — School Immunization Program and KIDSNET, accessed Sep 2, 2026

3. Grade-specific checkpoints

Kindergarten entry

Full immunization certificate required including Hep A 2-dose series. Providence Public Schools and Cranston Public Schools require documentation at time of enrollment. A provisional enrollment window may be available for families completing documentation — confirm with your school.

7th grade entry

Tdap booster and first dose of MenACWY required. Schedule these in spring to have the updated KIDSNET record ready before fall registration. Warwick and Cranston school departments require the updated certificate before the 7th grade year begins.

All

Transfer students

Out-of-state transfers must meet RI requirements. Rhode Island eliminated religious exemptions in 2022 (H 7171) — families with non-medical exemptions from other states must complete required immunizations to enroll in any Rhode Island school.

4. District enrollment — Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket

Providence Public Schools: Rhode Island's largest district — enrollment through the district's Family Welcome Center; immunization records required before first day. providenceschools.org
Cranston Public Schools: In-person enrollment at school offices; immunization certificate required. cpsed.net
Warwick School Department: Enrollment at individual school; KIDSNET printout accepted. warwickschools.org
Pawtucket School Department: In-person enrollment; immunization records required at registration.
North Providence School Department: Enrollment at school offices; immunization certificate required.

Verify current enrollment requirements at each district's website before your appointment.

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Exemptions

Rhode Island immunization exemptions — medical only

Since 2022, Rhode Island recognizes only medical exemptions from school immunization requirements. Religious exemptions were eliminated by H 7171 (Public Law 2022-030) and are no longer available for school enrollment purposes.

Medical exemption — written certification from a licensed Rhode Island physician that a specific immunization is medically contraindicated for the child, citing the clinical reason. The exemption must be renewed annually.

For the official medical exemption form and process, contact the Rhode Island Department of Health Immunization Program or your child's school nurse.

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