Recommended Tuberculosis Testing in New Jersey Schools

Rev. 11/18/16 Page 1

New Jersey Department of Health

Tuberculosis Program

Justification: To restrict tuberculosis screening in New Jersey schools to teachers/other employees

and only those students who are at highest risk for latent TB infection.

I. Only a positive interferon gamma release assay test result or a Mantoux intradermal

test using 5 TU of stabilized PPD tuberculin skin test result measuring > 10mm of

induration shall be considered a “significant reaction” and evidence of latent TB

infection.

II. The following tuberculosis testing recommendations apply to ALL school districts:

1. Students born in a country that is not listed on page 3 and entering school in the

U.S. for the first time, regardless of age or grade.

2. Students transferring into the New Jersey school system directly from a country

not listed on page 3, regardless of age or grade.

EXCEPTIONS FOR BOTH GROUPS OF STUDENTS LISTED ABOVE:

Entering at preschool through grade 5: Tuberculosis testing is not recommended if

the student has documentation of an IGRA or Mantoux tuberculin skin test at the age

of three years or older, regardless of the result of that test.

Entering at grades 6 through 12: Tuberculosis testing is not recommended if the

student has documentation of a negative tuberculosis test in the last six months or a

positive test, regardless when this test was done.

Tuberculosis testing is not recommended if the student has attended school in

another state prior to entering the New Jersey school system.

Any student with parents claiming religious exemption (TB-8 Form) cannot be

compelled to submit to tuberculosis testing. In these instances, a symptom

assessment must be done (TB-8 Form). If TB-like symptoms are reported, a

physician must document that the student does not have active disease. Each

school district is responsible for determining the criteria essential to document

a valid religious exemption.

Rev. 11/18/16 Page 2

3. Teachers and Other Employees

A tuberculosis test shall be given upon employment to all newly hired

employees (full-time and part-time), all student teachers, and school bus

drivers on contract with the district and other persons (e.g., volunteers) who

have contact with students.

EXEMPTIONS:

Tuberculosis testing is not recommended for volunteers working with pupils for less

than 20 hours per month.

Tuberculosis testing is not recommended for new employees, student teachers and

contractors of the district with a documented negative tuberculosis test result in the

last six months or a documented positive tuberculosis test, regardless of when this

test was done.

Tuberculosis testing is not recommended for a school employee transferring

between school districts or from a non-public school within New Jersey with a

documented tuberculosis test result upon his/her initial employment by a New Jersey

school.

Employees, student teachers, contractors or volunteers who have contact with

students and claim religious exemption cannot be compelled to submit to tuberculosis

testing. In these instances, a symptom assessment should be done (TB-8 Form). If

TB-like symptoms are reported, a physician must document that the employee,

student teacher, contractor or volunteer does not have active disease. Each school

district is responsible for determining the criteria essential to document a valid

religious exemption.

Rev. 11/18/16 Page 3

THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES HAVE A LOW INCIDENCE OF TB AND

REQUIRE NO TB TESTING

America Samoa

Andorra

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Austria

Barbados

Belgium

Bermuda

Canada

Cayman Islands

Cook Islands

Costa Rica

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominica

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Greenland

Grenada

Iceland

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Jordan

Lebanon

Luxembourg

Malta

Monaco

Montserrat

Netherlands

Netherlands Antilles

New Zealand

North Ireland

Norway

Oman

Puerto Rico

Saint Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Maarten (Dutch)

San Marino

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland

United States of America

United States Virgin Islands

West Bank and Gaza

Students entering a U.S. school for the first time in New Jersey or transferring into a New

Jersey school from ANY country NOT listed above must receive an IGRA or Mantoux

tuberculin skin test unless they meet an exemption criterion.