PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

The principal and school nurse shall ensure that there is a complete physical examination of every student entering school for the first time and every student participating in interscholastic athletics.

Children of active members of the military or Tennessee National Guard are not required to obtain a
physical evaluation from a Tennessee health care provider prior to enrolling in a Tennessee school.

A child or youth determined to be homeless cannot be denied admission to any school or school facility
due to not being able to produce a physical examination record. The enrolling school must comply with
any and all federal laws pertaining to the educational rights of children and youth experiencing
homelessness, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

KINDERGARTEN REQUIREMENT

A physical examination must be completed by a medical provider and dated within 12 months prior to
the first day of school. The form to be completed is the Tennessee School Immunization Certificate which
may be obtained from a health care provider. A student may be enrolled without this information but must file it with the school within 30 calendar days or risk dismissal.

FIRST - TWELFTH GRADE REQUIREMENT

Written proof of a medical examination completed by a medical provider. This includes proof brought in
person or provided in records from the previous school. A student may be enrolled in school without this
information but must file it with the school within 30 calendar days or risk dismissal.

Physical examinations contained in records from students transferring from other school systems may be accepted if stated guidelines are met.

Cost of the examination shall be borne by parent or legal guardian of the student. All physical and
immunization records shall be kept on file in the student's cumulative record.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Students entering school, including those entering pre-school, kindergarten or those students from outof-state, nonpublic schools, and students entering seventh grade will not be permitted to enroll (or attend) without required immunizations, as determined by the Commissioner of Public Health. It is the
responsibility of the parents or legal guardians to have their children immunized and to provide such proof to the school which the student is to attend.

Exceptions, in the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, shall be granted to any child whose parent or legal guardian shall file with school authorities a signed Refusal Due to Personal Religious Beliefs document; or due to medical reasons if such child has a written statement from a medical provider excusing him/her from such immunizations. Proof of exceptions shall be in writing and filed in the same manner as other immunization records.

A child or youth determined to be homeless cannot be denied admission to any school or school facility
if the child or youth has not yet been immunized or is unable to produce immunization records due to
being homeless. The enrolling school shall comply with any and all federal law’s pertaining to the
educational rights of homeless children and youth, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act.

An immunization certificate containing documentation of other required health information (physical
examination, vision/hearing screening) must be provided in addition to the religious exemption form or
the written statement due to medical reasons from a medical provider.

Knox County Schools must ensure schools provide parents and legal guardians with information about
meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of vaccination against meningococcal disease at the
beginning of every school year. This information must include the causes, symptoms, and means by which meningococcal disease is spread and the places where parents and legal guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children.

Knox County Schools must ensure schools provide parents and legal guardians with information about
influenza disease and the effectiveness of vaccinations against influenza at the beginning of every school
year. This information must include the causes, symptoms, and means by which influenza is spread and
the places where parents and legal guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children.

A list of transfer students shall be kept at each school throughout the school year in order that their records can be monitored by school nurses or the Tennessee Department of Health.

Legal References:

1. T.C.A. § 49-6-5001(a)(c) (1); TRR/MS § 0520-1-3-.08(2)(a).
2. TRR/MS § 0520-1-3-.08(2)(a).
3. T.C.A. § 49-6-5001(b)(2); T.C.A. § 49-6-5001(c)(2).
4. T.C.A § 49-6-5002(a)(2).
5. T.C.A § 49-6-5005.

Approved as to Legal Form
By Knox County Law Director 1/2/2024
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director