Tennessee law requires immunization documentation before your child may attend public or private school. Here is every form you need, where to get it, and when it must be on file — all cited to official Tennessee sources.
Last verified: September 8, 2026
Under TCA §49-6-5001, every child enrolling in a Tennessee public or private school must present a completed Tennessee Certificate of Immunization signed by a licensed physician or authorized health department provider. This form is the state's official document certifying that all required immunizations have been received.
Required vaccines for K–12 school entry in Tennessee:
7th grade entry: Students entering 7th grade must have a Tdap booster (if 5 years have passed since last dose). Tennessee also provides Hep A information at 7th grade; consult your pediatrician about your child's specific record.
Tennessee does not require a physical examination for school entry at the statewide level. However, many individual Tennessee school districts and districts within metropolitan statistical areas request a health screening or physical as part of kindergarten enrollment. Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools, for example, have historically collected health screening forms at kindergarten enrollment.
Tennessee does require several mandated health screenings for students at specific grade levels, administered by the school:
These screenings are conducted at school — you do not need to provide a separate form. If your child fails a screening, the school will notify you and may request follow-up with a physician.
(Source: Tennessee Department of Health — School Health; TCA §49-6-5101, accessed Aug 29, 2026)
Tennessee is among a smaller group of states that require Hepatitis A vaccination for school entry, in addition to the more commonly required vaccines. Two doses of Hep A are required before kindergarten entry. This requirement has caught families moving to Tennessee from other states off guard — many other states do not require Hep A for school enrollment.
If your child transferred from another state and their records are missing a Hep A series, this is likely the first gap to address. Contact TennIIS through your local health department to verify what doses are on file, then schedule any needed doses with your pediatrician well before enrollment.
Ask your pediatrician or local health department to print your child's TennIIS immunization history. Confirm all required vaccines are documented, including Hep A doses. This is especially important if your child has seen multiple providers or moved from another state.
Schedule a physician visit if any vaccines are missing, or if the certificate has not yet been completed and signed. Tennessee requires a licensed physician's or authorized health department provider's signature on the certificate — it cannot be self-completed by parents.
The completed Tennessee Certificate of Immunization must be on file before your child may attend. Tennessee law allows a grace period for students who are in the process of obtaining missing doses — contact your school's health office if your child needs additional time and has a documented catch-up plan.
Before entering 7th grade, verify that a Tdap booster has been given if 5 years have passed since the last dose. This is a new certificate requirement at grade transition that sometimes surprises families at middle school enrollment.
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Tennessee recognizes medical and religious exemptions from school immunization requirements under TCA §49-6-5001(b). A medical exemption requires documentation from a licensed physician. A religious exemption requires a signed statement from the parent or guardian.
For exemption forms and the official process, contact the Tennessee Department of Health — Immunization Program.
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