Kentucky Childcare Licensing

Kentucky Childcare Immunization Requirements (2026)

Children enrolled in a licensed Kentucky childcare center must show proof of age-appropriate immunization. Kentucky requires documentation for 10 vaccine series, with limited medical and legally permitted exemptions.

Licensing Agency

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Kentucky Immunization Requirements: The Specifics

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Current Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status required to attend a child-care center, certified family child-care home, or other licensed facility, beginning at age 3 months (902 KAR 2:060) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hepatitis B (HepB) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (DTaP/DTP) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Poliovirus (IPV/OPV) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Varicella (chickenpox) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hepatitis A (HepA) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Medical exemption via Certificate marked to designate a medical contraindication; religious exemption via the notarized Declination on Religious Grounds form (902 KAR 2:060) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).

Kentucky Immunization Requirements Checklist

  • Current Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status required to attend a child-care center, certified family child-care home, or other licensed facility, beginning at age 3 months (902 KAR 2:060)
  • Hepatitis B (HepB)
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (DTaP/DTP)
  • Poliovirus (IPV/OPV)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Hepatitis A (HepA)
  • Medical exemption via Certificate marked to designate a medical contraindication; religious exemption via the notarized Declination on Religious Grounds form (902 KAR 2:060)

Go Deeper

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Kentucky Immunization Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

Which vaccines does Kentucky require for childcare enrollment?

Kentucky requires age-appropriate immunization records for: Current Commonwealth of Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status required to attend a child-care center, certified family child-care home, or other licensed facility, beginning at age 3 months (902 KAR 2:060), Hepatitis B (HepB), Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (DTaP/DTP), Poliovirus (IPV/OPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis A (HepA), Medical exemption via Certificate marked to designate a medical contraindication; religious exemption via the notarized Declination on Religious Grounds form (902 KAR 2:060).

Are immunization exemptions allowed in Kentucky?

Kentucky permits documented medical exemptions and, where state law allows, certain non-medical exemptions. Confirm the current exemption rules with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care.

When must immunization records be on file in Kentucky?

Kentucky requires up-to-date immunization documentation at enrollment, with records kept current in each child's file thereafter.

Kentucky childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Kentucky administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General — Division of Regulated Child Care (DRCC), which licenses and investigates complaints against licensed child-care centers and certified family child-care homes; child-care standards developed in coordination with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Division of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.