Screenings

Texas law requires vision, hearing, and spinal screening for students in public and private schools and licensed child care facilities. Vision and hearing screenings are required for all first-time entrants (age 4+) and for students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. Girls are also required to be screened at age 10 or 5th grade and again at age 12 or 7th grade. Boys are screened at age 13 or 8th grade. Spinal screenings are required for girls twice (5th and 7th grade) and once for boys (8th grade). 

Types of Screenings

• Vision and Hearing:

  Required for first-time entrants (4+ years old) and students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. 

• Spinal Screening:

  Aims to detect scoliosis and other spinal deformities. 
  • Girls: Required at age 10 (5th grade) and again at age 12 (7th grade). 
  • Boys: Required at age 13 (8th grade). 

When to Screen 

• First-Time Entrants: Within 120 days of admission to school or a licensed child care facility.
• Other Students: Ideally within the first semester of the school year for 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th graders.

Opt-Out Options

Parents can opt-out of screenings if they provide documentation of a screening by a licensed healthcare professional within the past year or a physician's documentation of ongoing care.