TB Risk Assessment
TB Assessment
Background
California law requires that school staff working with children and community college students be free of infectious tuberculosis (TB). These updated laws reflect current federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for targeted TB testing. Enacted laws, AB 1667, effective on January 1, 2015, SB 792 on September 1, 2016, and SB 1038 on January 1, 2017, require a TB risk assessment to be administered. If risk factors are identified, a TB test and examination be performed by a health care provider to determine that the person is free of infectious tuberculosis. The use of the California School Employee TB Risk Assessment and the Certificate of Completion, developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California TB Controllers Association (CTCA), is also required.
On January 1, 2015, AB 1667 changed the requirement for a TB skin test to a TB Risk Assessment for the following groups:
- Persons initially employed by a school district or employed under contract in a certificated or classified position (California Education Code, Section 49406)
- Persons initially employed, or employed under contract, by a private or parochial elementary or secondary school or any nursery school (California Health and Safety Code, Sections 121525 and 121555)
- Persons providing for the transportation of pupils under authorized contract (California Health and Safety Code, Section 121525)
TB Risk Assessments must be administered at least once each four years of school employees with no identified TB risk factors, or who test negative for TB infection with a TB risk assessment, and TB testing based on the TB risk assessment responses.
Frequently
Asked Questions
We have compiled some commonly asked questions to give you more information about TCSOS’s COVID-19 response. If you can’t find the answer to your questions, contact us to find out more.
Who developed the school staff and volunteer TB risk assessment?
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Tuberculosis Controllers Association (CTCA) jointly developed the TB risk assessment. CDPH adapted the risk assessment from a form developed by the Minnesota Department of Health TB Prevention and Control Program and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Who may administer the TB risk assessment?
Per California Education and Health and Safety Codes, the TB risk assessment is to be administered by a health care provider. The risk assessment should be administered face-to-face. The practice of allowing employees or volunteers to self-assess is discouraged.
What is a “health care provider”?
A “health care provider” means any organization, facility, institution, or person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by state law to deliver or furnish health services. This includes a School Nurse employed by a school district or county office of education.
If someone transfers from one K-12 school or school district to another school or school district, would they also need to complete a TB risk assessment?
Not if that person can produce a certificate that shows they were free of infectious tuberculosis.
If someone does not want to submit to a TB risk assessment, can they get a TB test instead?
Yes, a TB test, and an examination, if necessary, may be completed instead of submitting to a TB risk assessment.
If someone has a positive TB test, can they start working before the chest x-ray is completed?
No, the x-ray must be completed and the person determined to be free of infectious TB before starting work.
What if I have TB screening or treatment questions?
Consult the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers (2013)
Please get in touch with your local TB control program if you have specific TB screening or treatment questions ().
Who may I contact to get further information?
For more information, contact the California Tuberculosis Controllers Association.
Schedule Your
TB Assessment
Appointments for TB assessments are only available to TCSOS employees and must be scheduled with a registered nurse through our appointment scheduler. All others should contact their district’s Human Resources department.
TB Assessment Appointment Location
Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools
175 Fairview Lane
Sonora, CA 95370
TB Assessment Questions?
209.536.2013