Iowa Department of Education

Immunizations and CPI Students

A child who begins Competent Private Instruction (CPI, or home schooling) for the first time in Iowa (including children enrolled in a Home School Assistance Program) must submit proof of the required immunizations with Form A, Report of CPI, unless the parents or guardians file a doctor's statement or an affidavit of religious exemption as outlined in Iowa Code section 139A.8.

Failure to submit such proof without a doctor's statement or parental affidavit is a violation of compulsory attendance laws, and should be referred to the county attorney under truancy laws.

Immunizations are governed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The following is an excerpt from DPH agency rule about the exemption for medical or religious reasons:

641-7.3(1) A medical exemption may be granted to an applicant when, in the opinion of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, the required immunizations would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household. A medical exemption may apply to a specific vaccine(s) or all required immunizations. A certificate of immunization exemption for medical reasons is valid only when signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. If, in the opinion of the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant issuing the medical exemption, the exemption should be terminated or reviewed at a future date, an expiration date shall be recorded on the certificate of immunization exemption.

7.3(2) A religious exemption may be granted to an applicant if immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief. A certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons shall be signed by the applicant or, if the applicant is a minor, by the parent or guardian or legally authorized representative and shall 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 for religious reasons is valid only when notarized. Religious exemptions shall become null and void during times of emergency as determined by the state board of health and declared by the director of public health.

IAC 8/3/05