North Dakota school vaccine requirements, exemptions & schedule
United States · ND
Last updated: 2026-11-01
💉 Vaccination Schedule
2 months
4 months
6 months
May be given at 6–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hib Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 PCV (Pneumococcal) Dose 3 (opens in a new tab) 💉 Rotavirus Dose 3Depending on product
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Hepatitis B Dose 36–18 months
(opens in a new tab) 💉 Influenza AnnualFrom 6 months annually
(opens in a new tab) 💉 COVID-19 Per current guidanceFrom 6 months
(opens in a new tab)12–15 months
15–18 months
4–6 years
11–12 years
🏫 School & Institutional Requirements
▶ 🏫 Public Schools (K–12)
North Dakota Century Code §23-07-17.1 and North Dakota Administrative Code 33-06-05 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grades 7-12). Meningococcal required at grade 7 and 12.
▶ 🏛 Private Schools
North Dakota's immunization requirements apply to all public, private, and parochial schools.
▶ 👶 Daycare / Child Care
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV (age-appropriate), MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A.
▶ 🎓 Postsecondary / University
North Dakota University System requires MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.
▶ 🏥 Healthcare Workers
North Dakota follows CDC guidelines. Hepatitis B per OSHA. Influenza recommended.
📊 Required Vaccines by Setting
| DTaP / Tdap | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis A | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hepatitis B | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Hib | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Influenza | — | — | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Meningococcal | ✓ | — | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| MMR | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | — | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Polio (IPV) | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
| Varicella | ✓ | ✓ | — | View → (opens in a new tab) |
📝 Vaccine Exemptions
🏥 Medical
AvailableFor medical contraindications
Documentation: Submit form signed by a licensed physician to the school.
Renewal: According to provider's recommendation.
Approving authority: Licensed physician
🔗 Certificate of Immunization, SFN 16038 (Rev. 02-2024) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🙏 Religious
AvailableFor religious beliefs
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to the school. Notarization not required.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Certificate of Immunization, SFN 16038 (Rev. 02-2024) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
✋ Personal Belief
AvailableFor philosophical or personal convictions
Documentation: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to the school. Notarization not required.
Renewal: Not stated in the official sources we read. Check each school year and confirm with the school or health department.
Approving authority: Parent/guardian
🔗 Certificate of Immunization, SFN 16038 (Rev. 02-2024) → (opens in a new tab)Link verified on 2026-11-01
🏠 Homeschool Information
Requirements
North Dakota requires homeschool students to comply with immunization requirements. Under North Dakota Century Code §23-07-17.1, immunization is required for 'every child entering school,' and North Dakota Department of Public Instruction guidance applies this to homeschool programs.
Reporting
Homeschool families must provide proof of immunization or exemption statement when filing the annual Statement of Intent with the local superintendent.
Exemptions
Medical exemptions (physician statement) and religious/philosophical exemptions (parent statement) available. NDCC §23-07-17.1(5) allows exemption based on 'religious, philosophical, or moral beliefs' — one of the broadest exemption statutes in any US state. Parent signs a statement that does not need to be notarized.
Notes
North Dakota has one of the broadest exemption statutes for both homeschool and public school families. The 'religious, philosophical, or moral belief' language is among the most permissive in the country. The annual Statement of Intent can include the exemption statement.
🔗 Official Government Resources
📅 Recent Legislative & Policy Changes
2026-07-01
North Dakota immunization data added to Parent Decision Center.
🔬 Related Vaccine Evidence Pages
Each card links to the full VaccineDataNavigator evidence page — including clinical trials, data, pharmacovigilance, ingredients, and references.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What vaccines are required for kindergarten and school in North Dakota?
North Dakota Century Code §23-07-17.1 and North Dakota Administrative Code 33-06-05 require DTaP (5 doses), Polio (4 doses), MMR (2 doses), Hepatitis B (3 doses), Varicella (2 doses), and Tdap (grades 7-12). Meningococcal required at grade 7 and 12. Source: North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services.
▶ What vaccines does North Dakota require for daycare and preschool?
Licensed child-care facilities require DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV (age-appropriate), MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis A.
▶ Does North Dakota allow religious or personal-belief vaccine exemptions?
North Dakota allows medical, religious and personal-belief exemptions.
▶ How do I get a vaccine exemption in North Dakota?
Medical: Submit form signed by a licensed physician to the school. Religious: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to the school. Notarization not required. Personal-belief: Parent/guardian completes the form and submits to the school. Notarization not required. Official forms and links for every state and province are in the exemption forms directory.
▶ What vaccines are required for college in North Dakota?
North Dakota University System requires MMR (2 doses). Meningococcal vaccine recommended.