School Immunization Exemption Laws: 50-State Survey

Every state in the U.S. generally requires schoolchildren to be immunized against certain diseases, unless there is a medical reason why a child should not receive a vaccine. However, most states also provide exemptions from school immunization laws if they conflict with religious beliefs or practices. (A handful of states, including California and New York, do not have non-medical exemptions.) Some states provide broader exemptions based on moral, philosophical, or other personal beliefs that are not directly tied to religion.

This survey focuses on the availability of non-medical exemptions in each state, explaining the eligibility requirements and procedures. Parents who have more specific questions about whether their child qualifies for an exemption, or how to apply, can discuss their situation with a school or health official or consult an education lawyer in their area.

Alabama School Immunization Exemption Laws

Alabama has a religious exemption.

Code of Alabama Section 16-30-3 provides that the immunization requirements do not apply (in the absence of an epidemic or an immediate threat of an epidemic) if the parent or guardian of a child objects in writing on the ground that this conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

According to Alabama regulations, the written objection must be submitted in person by the parent or guardian to the County Health Department to get a Certificate of Religious Exemption. This is on a form approved by the Department of Public Health.

Alaska School Immunization Exemption Laws

Alaska has a religious exemption.

Alaska regulations provide that the immunization requirement does not apply if a child has an affidavit signed by their parent or guardian affirming that immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of the church or religious denomination of which the applicant is a member.

Arizona School Immunization Exemption Laws

Arizona has an exemption for personal beliefs.

Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-873 provides that a parent or guardian of a student may submit a signed statement to the school administrator stating that the parent or guardian has received information about immunizations provided by the Department of Health Services, understands the risks and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of non-immunization, and does not consent to the immunization of the student due to personal beliefs. Students who have not been immunized must not attend school during outbreaks of communicable immunization-preventable diseases.

Arizona regulations provide that a parent must submit a statement to the school that contains their name, the child’s name and date of birth, immunizations from which the parent is requesting an exemption, a statement that the parent is requesting the exemption based on personal beliefs, and the parent’s signature and the date.

Arkansas School Immunization Exemption Laws

Arkansas has an exemption for religious or philosophical beliefs.

Arkansas Code Section 6-18-702 provides that the immunization requirement does not apply if the parents or legal guardian of a child object on the ground that immunization conflicts with the religious or philosophical beliefs of the parent or guardian.

Arkansas regulations provide that an annual application must be completed for an exemption, accompanied by a notarized statement by the person requesting it. Anyone requesting an exemption must complete an educational component that includes information on the risks and benefits of vaccinations. They also must sign an informed consent form provided by the Department of Health, including a statement of refusal to vaccinate, a statement of understanding that the child may be removed from the school during an outbreak if the child is not fully vaccinated, and a statement of understanding that the child will not return until the outbreak has been resolved.

California School Immunization Exemption Laws

California does not have a non-medical exemption.

California Health and Safety Code Section 120325 and related statutes permit exemptions from immunization for medical reasons but do not provide exemptions for religious or philosophical beliefs. Recent litigation seeks to reverse California’s repeal of non-medical exemptions.

Colorado School Immunization Exemption Laws

Colorado has an exemption for religious or personal beliefs.

Colorado statutes allow for a non-medical exemption, which Colorado Code Section 25-4-901 defines as an exemption based on a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations or a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.

Colorado regulations provide that a student may get a non-medical exemption by submitting a certificate of non-medical exemption signed by one parent or legal guardian, an emancipated student, or a student who is 18 or older. The completed certificate must also include either the signature of a person who is authorized to administer immunizations within their scope of practice, or confirmation of completing an online education module provided by the Department of Public Health and Environment. From kindergarten through 12th grade, the certificate must be submitted once per school year. Exemptions expire on June 30 each year.

Connecticut School Immunization Exemption Laws

Connecticut no longer has a non-medical exemption, but certain previously granted non-medical exemptions remain in effect.

In 2021, Connecticut repealed its non-medical exemptions. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the repeal against a First Amendment challenge in 2023. However, Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-204a provides that the school immunization requirements do not apply to a child who was enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade on or before April 28, 2021 if the child presented a statement before that date from their parents or guardian that immunization was contrary to the religious beliefs of the child or their parents or guardian. The statement must have been acknowledged by any of certain specified people.

Delaware School Immunization Exemption Laws

Delaware has a religious exemption.

14 Delaware Code Section 131 provides that there must be an exemption from the school immunization program for an enrollee whose parents or legal guardian reject the concept of immunization because of their individual religious beliefs. The request for exemption must be supported by an affidavit contained in the statute. (A student who has reached the age of majority will be responsible for making the request.)

Delaware regulations further provide that religious exemptions will be approved upon receipt of a notarized affidavit of religious belief, and the school must offer information about the benefits of immunization and the risks of not being fully immunized. The school also will inform the parent or guardian (or student, if 18 or older) that the student will be temporarily excluded from school if the Division of Public Health declares an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease or determines that the student has had or is at risk of having an exposure to a vaccine-preventable disease.

While the statute and regulations described above apply only to public schools, parallel regulations provide a vaccination requirement for private schools. These regulations also provide that children are exempt from the vaccination requirement if their parents or guardians present a notarized document that immunization is against their religious beliefs.

Florida School Immunization Exemption Laws

Florida has a religious exemption.

Florida Statutes Section 1003.22 provides that the school immunization requirements do not apply if the parent of a child objects in writing that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

Florida regulations further provide that a student may attend school if they present DH Form 681, Religious Exemptions for Immunizations, which must be signed by the local county health department medical director or designee. The regulation provides a link to the form.

Georgia School Immunization Exemption Laws

Georgia has a religious exemption.

Georgia Code Section 20-2-771 provides that the immunization requirement does not apply to a child whose parent or legal guardian objects to immunization of the child on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian. (However, immunization may be required when there is an epidemic of the disease at issue.) The parent or guardian must provide the responsible official of the school with an affidavit in which they swear or affirm that the immunization conflicts with their religious beliefs. During an epidemic or a threatened epidemic of a disease preventable by a required immunization, children who have not been immunized may be excluded from the school until they are immunized against the disease (unless they present valid evidence of prior disease) or the epidemic or threat no longer constitutes a significant public health danger.

Georgia regulations further provide that a person who wishes to register a religious objection to the vaccination of their child must do so by using DPH Form 2208, which is provided in the regulation. It must be sworn and signed in the presence of a notary public, who must also sign the form.

Hawaii School Immunization Exemption Laws

Hawaii has a religious exemption.

Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 302A-1156 provides that a child may be exempted from the required immunizations if a parent, custodian, guardian, or other person in loco parentis to a child objects to immunization in writing on the ground that the immunization conflicts with that person’s good-faith religious tenets and practices.

Hawaii regulations further provide that a religious exemption will be granted if the parent, custodian, guardian, or other person in loco parentis certifies that their religious beliefs prohibit the practice of immunization. However, requests for religious exemptions based on objections to specific immunizing agents will not be granted. A student who has turned 18 must apply on their own behalf. If there is the danger or presence of an outbreak or epidemic of any of the communicable diseases for which immunization is required, the exemption will not be recognized, and inadequately immunized students will be excluded from school until the presence or danger of the outbreak or epidemic no longer exists.

Idaho School Immunization Exemption Laws

Idaho has a broad exemption for objections on “religious or other grounds.”

Idaho Code Section 39-4802 provides that a minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted a signed statement to school officials stating their objections on religious or other grounds will be exempt from the immunization requirements.

Idaho regulations further provide that the signed statement must be either on a standard Department of Health and Welfare form or a similar form provided by the school, or a signed statement that must include the name and date of birth of the student, a statement indicating that they are exempt from immunization as provided in that rule for religious or other objections, and the signature of the parent, custodian, or legal guardian. A student who is exempt may be excluded from school in the event of a disease outbreak.

Illinois School Immunization Exemption Laws

Illinois has a religious exemption.

105 Illinois Compiled Statutes Section 5/27-8.1 provides that children of parents or legal guardians who object to immunizations on religious grounds will not be required to undergo the immunizations to which they object if the parents or legal guardians present a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption to the appropriate local school authority, explaining the grounds for objection and the specific immunizations to which they object. The grounds for objection must describe the specific religious belief that conflicts with the immunization. The certificate must reflect the parent’s or legal guardian’s understanding of the school’s exclusion policies in the case of an outbreak or exposure involving a vaccine-preventable disease. In addition, the authorized examining health care provider responsible for performing the child’s health examination must sign the certificate, confirming that they provided education to the parent or legal guardian on the benefits of immunization and the health risks of the communicable diseases for which immunization is required.

A parent or legal guardian must submit the certificate to their local school authority prior to entering kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade for each child for whom they are requesting an exemption. The religious objection does not need to be directed by the tenets of an established religious organization. However, general philosophical or moral reluctance does not provide a sufficient basis for an exception.

Indiana School Immunization Exemption Laws

Indiana has a religious exemption.

Indiana Code Section 20-34-3-2 provides that a student may not be required to undergo any immunization required by state law when the child’s parent objects on religious grounds. An objection must be made in writing, signed by the child’s parent, and delivered to the child’s teacher or the individual who might order an immunization without the objection.

Iowa School Immunization Exemption Laws

Iowa has a religious exemption.

Iowa Code Section 139A.8 provides that immunization is not required if the student’s parent or legal guardian submits an affidavit that they have signed (or if a student submits an affidavit that they have signed if they are an adult), stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of a recognized religious denomination of which the student is an adherent or member. However, this exemption does not apply in times of emergency or epidemic.

Iowa regulations further provide that a religious exemption may be granted if immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief. A certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons must contain the first and last name and date of birth of the student. It must bear the signature of the parent or guardian (or the student if they are an adult) and attest that immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief and that the belief is in fact religious and not based merely on philosophical, scientific, moral, personal, or medical opposition to immunizations. The certificate of immunization exemption is valid only when notarized.

Kansas School Immunization Exemption Laws

Kansas has a religious exemption.

Kansas Statutes Section 72-6262 provides that a child is not subject to inoculation requirements if they present a written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such inoculations.

Kentucky School Immunization Exemption Laws

Kentucky has a religious exemption.

Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 214.036 provides that the immunization requirements do not require the immunization of any child whose parents or guardian are opposed to medical immunization against disease, and who object by a written sworn statement to the immunization of the child based on religious grounds. (An emancipated minor or adult student may provide the same type of objection.)

Kentucky regulations further describe the applicable form, known as a Commonwealth of Kentucky Parent or Guardian’s Declination on Religious Grounds to Required Immunizations. This form must list the immunizations that a parent or guardian objects to being administered to a child based on religious grounds, be an original document written, sworn, and signed before a notary public, and be submitted at the time of enrollment in a school.

Louisiana School Immunization Exemption Laws

Louisiana generally allows for a “written dissent” from the immunization requirement.

Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 17:170 provides that a person seeking to enter a school will not be required to comply with immunization rules if the student or their parent or guardian presents a “written dissent.”

Louisiana regulations provide the same rule. They also note that a school principal may exclude unimmunized students from attendance at a school in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the location until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization.

Maine School Immunization Exemption Laws

Maine no longer has a non-medical exemption, but certain previously granted non-medical exemptions remain in effect.

Maine has repealed the exemption that 20-A Maine Revised Statutes Section 6355 formerly contained for philosophical or religious grounds. However, the statute provides that a student covered by an individualized education plan on September 1, 2021 who elected a philosophical or religious exemption from immunization requirements on or before that date under the law in effect at the time may continue to attend school under their existing exemption if certain requirements are met. The parent or guardian of the student must provide a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant that they have consulted with the parent or guardian and have made the parent or guardian aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize. (If the student is 18 or older, they must provide this type of statement.)

Maryland School Immunization Exemption Laws

Maryland has a religious exemption.

Maryland Education Code Section 7-403 provides that a child whose parent or guardian objects to immunization on the ground that it conflicts with the parent’s or guardian’s good-faith religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician’s certification of immunization to be admitted to school, unless the Secretary of Health declares an emergency or an epidemic of disease. Maryland regulations describe the same rule, while noting that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will provide the applicable form.

Massachusetts School Immunization Exemption Laws

Massachusetts has a religious exemption.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76 Section 15 provides that no child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with their sincere religious beliefs will be required to present a physician’s certificate of immunization to be admitted to school, unless there is an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the Department of Public Health. Massachusetts regulations also provide that the immunization requirement does not apply when the student’s parent or guardian (or the student if they are 18 or older) provides written documentation that they meet the standards for the religious exemption in the statute.

Michigan School Immunization Exemption Laws

Michigan has a broad exemption for religious convictions or “other objection to immunization.”

Michigan Compiled Laws Section 333.9215 provides that a child is exempt from immunization requirements if a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child’s school to the effect that the immunization requirements cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objection to immunization.

Michigan regulations define a “religious or other exemption” as a written statement signed by the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of a child, which certifies that immunization conflicts with religious or other convictions of the signer. The statement must include the name and date of birth of the child. When they are presented with a religious or other exemption, the administrator of a child’s school must recognize the exemption status of the child. Each non-medical exemption filed at the child’s school must be certified by the local health department that the individual received education on the risks of not receiving the vaccines being waived and the benefits of vaccination. All waivers must be submitted using the waiver form provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Minnesota School Immunization Exemption Laws

Minnesota has an exemption for conscientiously held beliefs.

Minnesota Statutes Section 121A.15 provides that immunizations are not required if a notarized statement signed by a minor child’s parent or guardian, or by an emancipated minor, is submitted to an administrator or another person having general control and supervision of the school, stating that the child has not been immunized because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the parent or guardian or the emancipated minor. The statement must be forwarded to the commissioner of the Department of Health.

Mississippi School Immunization Exemption Laws

Mississippi has a court-ordered religious exemption.

Mississippi Code Section 41-23-37 does not mention any non-medical grounds for exemptions. In 2023, however, a federal judge ordered the Department of Health to permit religious exemptions from school vaccination rules.

The Department of Health provides information on applying for a religious exemption. A child’s parent or guardian must complete and sign a form and submit it to the County Health Department. They must schedule an appointment at the Department, where they will watch a vaccine education video, and a nurse will discuss the benefits and risks of immunizations with them. The nurse will inform the parent or guardian that if any vaccine-preventable diseases for which the child has not been adequately immunized are occurring or threatening to occur in the community, the child will be excluded from school until the disease is no longer present or no longer a threat to the safety and welfare of the child or other children.

Missouri School Immunization Exemption Laws

Missouri has a religious exemption.

Missouri Revised Statutes Section 167.181 provides that the immunization requirements do not apply to a child if one parent or guardian objects in writing to their school administrator against the immunization of the child because of religious beliefs.

Missouri regulations also provide this rule. The exemption must be provided on an original Department of Health and Senior Services form, and it must be signed by the parent or guardian and placed on file with the school immunization health record.

Montana School Immunization Exemption Laws

Montana has a religious exemption.

Montana Code Section 20-5-405 provides that there is a religious exemption to the immunization requirement. A student may attend a school without obtaining the immunizations if they file with the governing authority an affidavit on a form prescribed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, stating that immunization is contrary to the religious tenets and practices of the signer. The statement must be signed by a parent, guardian, or adult who has the responsibility for the care and custody of the student, or by the student if they are an adult. It must be maintained as part of their immunization records.

Montana regulations provide further details, including the name of the form that must be used. The form must be provided to the school before attendance by the student.

Nebraska School Immunization Exemption Laws

Nebraska has a religious exemption.

Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 79-221 provides that immunization is not required if a student submits an affidavit signed by a legally authorized representative (or the student if they are an adult), stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the student is an adherent or member, or that immunization conflicts with the personal and sincerely followed religious beliefs of the student.

Nebraska regulations provide the same rule. They also note that the affidavit must be notarized.

Nevada School Immunization Exemption Laws

Nevada has a religious exemption.

Nevada Revised Statutes Section 392.437 provides that the immunization requirement does not apply if the parents or guardian of the child have submitted a written statement indicating that their religious belief prohibits immunization of their child to the board of trustees of the school district or the governing body of a charter school. Under Section 392.446, a child who is exempt from immunization must be immunized or removed from the school environment if there is a dangerous contagious disease in a public school that they attend.

Nevada regulations further provide that the written statement required for the religious exemption must be submitted annually, according to the annual enrollment schedule of the school district or charter school, and on a form provided by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The statutes and regulations above apply to public schools, but similar regulations cover private schools in Nevada. These provide parallel exemptions for religious beliefs.

New Hampshire School Immunization Exemption Laws

New Hampshire has a religious exemption.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 141-C:20-c provides that a child is exempt from immunization if a parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. The parent or legal guardian must sign a form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.

New Hampshire regulations further provide that a child who is exempt from immunization must not attend school during an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is required.

New Jersey School Immunization Exemption Laws

New Jersey has a religious exemption.

New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 26:1A-9.1 provides that a student will be exempt from mandatory immunization if their parent or guardian objects to immunization in a written statement signed by the parent or guardian, based on the proposed immunization interfering with the free exercise of the student’s religious rights. This exemption may be suspended during the existence of an emergency.

New Jersey regulations further describe the religious exemption. They also note that a school must not exempt a child from mandatory immunization on the sole basis of a moral or philosophical objection. A school may exclude children with religious exemptions from the school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak.

New Mexico School Immunization Exemption Laws

New Mexico has two types of religious exemptions.

New Mexico Statutes Section 24-5-3 provides that a child will be exempt from immunization upon filing with the health authority affidavits or written affirmation from an officer of a recognized religious denomination that the child’s parents or guardians are good-faith members of a denomination whose religious teaching requires reliance on prayer or spiritual means alone for healing. Alternatively, a child will be exempt upon filing affidavits or a written affirmation from their parent or legal guardian that their religious beliefs (whether held individually or jointly) do not permit the administration of a vaccine or another immunizing agent. Upon the filing and approval of the affidavits or affirmation, the child is exempt from the immunization requirement for up to nine months per filing.

New Mexico regulations provide more detail about the religious exemptions. For example, they note that the exemptions will not extend beyond the end of the school year in which the child is currently enrolled. Additional regulations describe the process of submitting, reviewing, and responding to a request for a religious exemption. If a request is denied, a letter of notification to the parents or guardian will state the reasons for denial and provide information about the review process.

New York School Immunization Exemption Laws

New York does not have a non-medical exemption.

In 2019, New York removed the non-medical exemptions from its school vaccination requirements. New York Public Health Law Section 2164 describes the medical exemption. If parents do not want to vaccinate their children, and they do not qualify for a medical exemption, the parents still must ensure that children of compulsory school age are educated. This means that parents must provide home instruction for their children.

North Carolina School Immunization Exemption Laws

North Carolina has a religious exemption.

North Carolina General Statutes Section 130A-157 provides that a child is exempt from the immunization requirements if the good-faith religious beliefs of the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child are contrary to the immunization requirements. The child may attend school without a certificate of immunization upon submitting a written statement of the good-faith religious beliefs and opposition to the immunization requirements.

North Carolina regulations note that there is no exception to the immunization requirements for the case of a personal belief or philosophy of a parent or guardian that is not founded on a religious belief.

North Dakota School Immunization Exemption Laws

North Dakota has an exemption for religious, philosophical, or moral beliefs.

North Dakota Century Code Section 23-07-17.1 provides that a minor child is exempt from immunization requirements if they submit a certificate signed by their parent or guardian whose religious, philosophical, or moral beliefs are opposed to immunization.

North Dakota regulations further provide that the religious, philosophical, or moral beliefs must be sincerely held and not a pretense for avoiding legal requirements. The parent or guardian must indicate which vaccines are exempt because of beliefs. The parent or guardian must present an appropriately signed statement of exemption to the designated institutional authority.

Ohio School Immunization Exemption Laws

Ohio has an exemption for “reasons of conscience.”

Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.671 provides that a student who presents a written statement of their parent or guardian in which they decline to have the student immunized for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions, is not required to be immunized.

Oklahoma School Immunization Exemption Laws

Oklahoma has a very broad exemption for general “objections.”

70 Oklahoma Statutes Section 1210.192 provides that a child will be exempt from the immunization laws if they submit a written statement by their parent, guardian, or legal custodian objecting to immunization of the child to the health authority.

Oklahoma regulations provide further details about the process. Religious and personal exemptions may be obtained only after receiving an instructional presentation by a local county health department regarding the risks associated with not being vaccinated and the benefits that vaccinations provide. Evidence of completed instruction must be submitted with the completed exemption form. Exemptions submitted prior to a student entering seventh grade will expire at the end of the student’s sixth-grade year. A new exemption must be completed and submitted to the Department of Health by the parent or guardian before enrolling the child in seventh grade.

Oregon School Immunization Exemption Laws

Oregon has a very broad exemption allowing parents to “decline immunization.”

Oregon Revised Statutes Section 433.267 provides that a child will be exempt from immunization requirements upon submitting a document on a specified form signed by the child’s parent, which states that the parent is declining one or more immunizations on behalf of the child. The document may include the reason for declining the immunization, including whether it is declined because of a religious or philosophical belief. It must include either a signature from a health care provider verifying that they have reviewed information about the risks and benefits of immunization with the parent, or a certificate verifying that the parent has completed a vaccine educational module.

Oregon regulations also note that a non-medical exemption from immunization requirements is allowed for one or more vaccines. Parents claiming a non-medical exemption must select the vaccines from which a child is exempted by checking the appropriate boxes on the Certificate of Immunization Status.

Pennsylvania School Immunization Exemption Laws

Pennsylvania has an exemption for religious grounds or a “strong moral or ethical conviction.”

Pennsylvania regulations provide that a child does not need to be immunized if their parent or guardian (or the child if emancipated) objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction that is similar to a religious belief.

Rhode Island School Immunization Exemption Laws

Rhode Island has a religious exemption.

Rhode Island General Laws Section 16-38-2 provides that a student is exempt from the immunization requirements if they provide a certificate signed by their parent or guardian (or the student if they are over 18), stating that immunization is contrary to that person’s religious beliefs. (Rhode Island regulations similarly provide that a child will be exempt if a parent or guardian completes and signs the Religious Immunization Exemption Certificate provided by the school, attesting that immunization conflicts with the tenets of their religious beliefs.)

South Carolina School Immunization Exemption Laws

South Carolina has a religious exemption.

South Carolina Code of Laws Section 44-29-180 incorporates the requirements and exemptions of Subchapter 61-8 in the South Carolina regulations. This provides that a South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption may be granted to any student whose parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis signs the appropriate section of the Certificate, stating that one or more immunizations conflicts with their religious beliefs. The Certificate form may only be obtained from the local health department.

South Dakota School Immunization Exemption Laws

South Dakota has a religious exemption.

South Dakota Codified Laws Section 13-28-7.1 provides that a child is exempt from the immunization requirement if they present a written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent to a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed to immunization.

South Dakota regulations provide further details. They note that a religious exemption requires the signature of the parent or guardian on the South Dakota Department of Health Certificate of Immunization form or a signed statement by the parent or guardian.

Tennessee School Immunization Exemption Laws

Tennessee has a religious exemption.

Tennessee Code Section 49-6-5001 provides that immunization requirements do not apply to a child whose parent or guardian files with school authorities a signed, written statement that the immunization and other preventive measures conflict with their religious tenets and practices. (There is an exception during an epidemic or immediate threat of an epidemic.) The statement must be affirmed under the penalties of perjury. Tennessee regulations provide a parallel rule.

Texas School Immunization Exemption Laws

Texas has an exemption for “reasons of conscience.”

Texas Education Code Section 38.001 provides that the immunization requirements do not apply if the student submits an affidavit signed by their parent or guardian (or the student if they are an adult), stating that the student declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.

Texas regulations provide that claiming an exclusion for reasons of conscience requires the student’s parent or legal guardian (or the student if they are 18 or older) to present the school with a completed, signed, and notarized affidavit on a form provided by the Department of State Health Services stating that the parent, the legal guardian, or the student declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs. The affidavit will last for two years after the date of notarization. A child who has received an exemption may be excluded from school during an emergency or epidemic.

A person seeking to claim this exclusion may only obtain the affidavit form by submitting a request to the Department. The request must include the student’s full name and date of birth, their complete mailing address and phone number, and the number of requested forms.

Utah School Immunization Exemption Laws

Utah has an exemption for personal or religious beliefs.

Utah Code Section 53G-9-303 provides that a student qualifies for a personal exemption from a required vaccination if their legally responsible individual provides their school with a completed vaccination exemption form, stating that the student is exempt from the vaccination because of a personal or religious belief. (A “legally responsible individual” is the student’s parent, their legal guardian, their adult brother or sister if they have no legal guardian, or the student if they are an adult or in certain other circumstances.)

A vaccination exemption form is valid for as long as the student stays at the school to which the form is submitted. If the student changes schools before they are old enough to enroll in kindergarten, the form is valid until the student enrolls in kindergarten, or until they turn six if that is earlier. If the student changes schools after they are old enough to enroll in kindergarten but before they are eligible to enroll in the seventh grade, the form is valid until the student enrolls in the seventh grade, or until the student turns 12 if that is earlier. If the student changes schools after they are old enough to enroll in the seventh grade, the form is valid until they complete the 12th grade. (However, a vaccination exemption form obtained by completing the online education module created by statute will be valid for at least two years.)

Section 53G-9-304 provides the requirements for vaccination exemption forms. To receive a vaccination exemption form, a legally responsible individual generally must complete the online education module described by statute. However, if they decline to take the online education module, they may get a vaccination exemption form from a local health department if they request and receive an in-person consultation at a local health department from a health official or a health official designee regarding the immunization requirements.

Utah regulations also describe the process. They reiterate that the parent claiming an exemption to immunization must provide the student’s school with the exemption form described in Section 53G-9-304. The school will attach a health education form to the student’s school immunization record, indicating that the parent received the required health education by online module or from an authorized local health authority.

Vermont School Immunization Exemption Laws

Vermont has a religious exemption.

18 Vermont Statutes Section 1122 provides that a student is exempt from immunization requirements if their parent or guardian (or the student if they are an adult) annually provides a signed statement to the school on a form created by the Department of Health. The statement must state that the student, parent, or guardian holds religious beliefs opposed to immunization and has reviewed evidence-based educational material provided by the Department regarding immunizations, including certain topics prescribed by statute. (Vermont regulations provide a parallel rule.)

Virginia School Immunization Exemption Laws

Virginia has a religious exemption.

Code of Virginia Section 22.1-271.2 provides that a certificate of immunization will not be required for admitting a student to school if the student or their parent submits an affidavit to the admitting official stating that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the student’s religious tenets or practices. Section 32.1-46 similarly provides that school immunization requirements will not apply if the parent or guardian of the child objects to them on the ground that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with their religious tenets or practices, unless there is an emergency or epidemic.

Virginia regulations further describe the process. It involves submitting a notarized Certificate of Religious Exemption form, which is available on the Division of Immunization website. Upon the identification of an outbreak, potential epidemic, or epidemic of a vaccine-preventable disease in a school, children who are not immunized against that disease may be excluded from school. The regulations also mirror the statutory provision that a parent or guardian has the sole discretion to choose for their child not to receive the HPV vaccine after reviewing materials about the link between HPV and cervical cancer.

Washington School Immunization Exemption Laws

Washington has exemptions for religious beliefs and philosophical or personal objections.

Revised Code of Washington Section 28A.210.090 provides that a child will be exempt from immunization requirements upon the presentation of a written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian, or any adult in loco parentis, that the religious beliefs of the signer are contrary to the required immunization measures. It also provides an exemption based on a written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian, or any adult in loco parentis, that the signer has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child. However, a philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Washington regulations provide more details about the process. A parent who seeks an exemption must provide a Department of Health-approved certificate of exemption form that they have signed. The form must include the name and birth date of the child, notice that the child may be excluded from school for the duration of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease for which the child is exempted, the parent’s signature, and the date. It also must include a field indicating the type of exemption claimed. Among other information, this field must include either a statement from a health care provider that they have provided the parent with information about the benefits and risks of immunization, or a statement signed and dated by the parent affirming membership in a church or religious body whose teachings preclude a health care provider from providing medical treatment to the child.

Washington, D.C. School Immunization Exemption Laws

Washington, D.C. has a religious exemption.

District of Columbia Code Section 38-506 provides that a child is exempt from immunization requirements if a “responsible person” objects in good faith and in writing to the chief official of the school that immunization would violate their religious beliefs. (A “responsible person” is generally a parent or guardian, but it is the student if they are 18 or older.)

Washington, D.C. municipal regulations similarly note that the immunization requirements do not apply to a student whose parent or guardian objects in writing to the immunization on the ground that this is forbidden by their religion or religious beliefs or practices. The regulation defines “religion or religious belief” broadly as any system of beliefs, practices, or ethical values. School authorities may exclude a student who is not immunized from regular instruction and provide for special instruction for the student.

West Virginia School Immunization Exemption Laws

West Virginia does not have a non-medical exemption.

West Virginia Code Section 16-3-4 describes the medical exemption. In March 2024, Governor Jim Justice vetoed a bill with which the West Virginia legislature had sought to loosen school vaccination laws.

Wisconsin School Immunization Exemption Laws

Wisconsin has an exemption for religion or personal conviction.

Wisconsin Statutes Section 252.04 provides that the immunization requirement is waived if a student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian (or the student if they are an adult) submits a written statement to the school objecting to the immunization for reasons of health, religion, or personal conviction. When the school notifies a parent, guardian, or legal custodian (or the student) of the immunization requirements, it must inform them in writing of their right to a waiver on this ground.

Wisconsin regulations provide more details about the process. They note that the statement must be signed and that written evidence of any required immunization that the student has previously received must be submitted to the school with the waiver form.

Wyoming School Immunization Exemption Laws

Wyoming has a religious exemption.

Wyoming Statutes Section 21-4-309 provides that a waiver of the immunization requirements will be authorized by the state or county health officer upon submission of written evidence of religious objection to the administration of any vaccine. If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, children for whom a waiver has been issued and who are not immunized against the disease will be excluded from school attendance.

Wyoming regulations provide more details about the process. Among other things, they note that written evidence includes a complete and signed religious waiver form or a signed statement from the parent certifying their religious objection to the administration of a specific immunization.

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