X
Home Student Health Center Immunization Tuberculosis (TB) Requirements

Tuberculosis (TB) Requirements

Students, who are not citizens of the United States and come from TB-endemic countries, are required to have a TB skin test upon arrival on campus. The test is available at the Health Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at a cost of $38. 

Students must be registered for courses at the university at least 24 hours before being able to schedule an appointment to have the test applied and read at the Student Health Center.  You may register for courses before arriving in the United States.

Appointments are scheduled in your MyPatient Portal> 

Students who are not registered for courses at the university may have the PPD/TB skin test applied and read by a healthcare provider in our local community.  

Once a PPD/TB Skin test is placed the student must return within 48-72 hours to have it read (tests cannot be read prior to 48 hours nor after 72 hours).

  • Students with a positive PPD/TB Skin test will be required to have a Chest X-Ray. The cost of the Chest X-Ray is $50. 
  • If students have documentation of a positive PPD/TB Skin test, they must provide this information to avoid repeat testing.  Students who previously had a positive PPD/TB Skin test will be required to have a Chest X-Ray at the Health Center. The cost of the Chest X-Ray is $50.
  • PPD/TB Skin tests and Chest X-Rays done outside the US are not acceptable.  
  • All PPD/TB Skin tests and Chest X-Rays must be done in the US. Documentation may be uploaded here>
  • A Chest X-Ray done in the US within six (6) months prior to registration is acceptable.
  • On Thursdays, students may choose to have the PPD/TB Skin test performed at any healthcare facility in Memphis.  Once the test is read, students must provide written documentation of their test to the Student Health Center. Documentation may be uploaded here>

Note:  Students are not allowed to physically attend classes until the PPD/TB test requirement is completed and the hold is cleared.  If a student is non-compliant, their classes will be dropped by the Registrar.

Students from the countries listed below are NOT required to have the PPD/TB Skin test because Tuberculosis is not endemic in these countries.

AMERICAN REGION: USA, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Trinidad, Virgin Islands,

EUROPEAN: Albania, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

WESTERN PACIFIC: American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand

MIDDLE EAST:   Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why do I need to be screened for TB?
    The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening individuals from countries where TB is endemic or relatively common.  This requirement was established because of concern for the health of the students to be tested and for the protection of the entire university community. A TB test can detect whether you have any form of TB infection. This is the first step in making a diagnosis and, if necessary, securing appropriate treatment.

  • What is the process for TB skin testing? 
    First, you will meet with a healthcare provider who will inject a small amount of fluid called PPD under the top layer of skin on your lower arm. Next, you will need to return in person 48-72 hours later for the test reaction on your arm to be examined by an appropriate healthcare provider.  If the reaction is not significant, or there is no reaction (negative), then you have not been exposed to TB bacteria.  If the reaction of your arm is significant (positive), a chest x-ray will be required to rule out active TB.

  • What if my TB test is positive? 
    A chest x-ray will be required to check for active TB in the lungs. If you have an abnormal chest x-ray or symptoms of active TB, you may be required to have additional tests.

  • What if I am diagnosed with TB infection?
    Most people have inactive (latent) TB, which cannot be transmitted and does not cause symptoms. Treatment with antibiotics is recommended to prevent active TB.  Active TB can be transmitted and is very serious, sometimes causing permanent damage.  It is curable with appropriate medicine, and treatment with antibiotics is required.

  • Will TB test results affect my visa or student status? 
    Having TB will NOT affect your visa or student status. Students who have TB infection are not discriminated against in any way. The health care provider must report cases of active TB to county health departments for investigation of possible transmission of others. Otherwise, health records are confidential and cannot be released without patient consent. Your TB test result will not appear on your academic documents.

  • What are the side effects of these tests?
    The skin test will not make you sick. It may cause swelling, itching or tenderness at the injection site, which usually disappears within a week. You can continue normal activities.  

  • What if I have dual or multiple citizenships/nationalities? 
    The requirement for TB screening is determined by your country of citizenship/nationality as stated on your I-20 form.  

  • I already had a TB test (or treatment). Can I meet the requirement by bringing documentation? 
    You still need to participate in the TB screening. You can meet the requirement by providing the following documentation IN ENGLISH, and including your NAME:                                                 
    • Negative TB skin test, reaction size in millimeters, done in the United States within 6 months prior to registration, OR
    • Positive skin test, reaction size in millimeters performed within the United States within 6 months prior to registration AND normal chest x-ray (report preferred) performed within the United States within 6 months of registration, all chest x-rays must be done in the US.  A written medical interpretation by a licensed Radiologist is required.  A copy of the chest x-ray report from a foreign country is not acceptable, OR
    • Documentation of treatment for active or inactive (latent) TB, completed in the United States within 6 months of registration. A chest x-ray may be required.

  • I got BCG vaccine in my country. Do I still need to test? 
    Yes, you do. The BCG is only about 50% effective so you can still get TB. The BCG may give a positive PPD, which your healthcare provider may discuss in further detail with you.

  • What if I don't comply with the screening requirement?
  • If a student is non-compliant, their classes will be dropped by the Registrar.