Mask Exemptions

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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings exempts from wearing a mask at all times those individuals who: (1) have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing mask, and/or (2) are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

As of Friday, August 6, 2021, CDPH directions for determining mask exemption require verification by a medical professional. The wording of CDPH’s requirement is below.

CDPH’s Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings

“Assessing for exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability that prevents wearing a mask, or hearing impairment is a medical determination and therefore must be made by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician. Self-attestation and parental attestation for mask exemptions due to the aforementioned conditions do not constitute medical determinations.” (See CDPH’s Guidance for the Use of Face Covering at: and COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year (CDPH K-12 Guidance)

Student Mask Exemption Process

If you have already submitted an exemption form for your student through Parent Connection:

To the right is a downloadable Medical Determination Form needed in order to verify a student's mask exemption. This form must be completed by a physician and returned to your child's school site.
School personnel will verify the form with your physician’s office and finalize your child’s exemption for the 2021-22 school year.
Students will be expected to follow the K-12 school mask requirements unless a completed Medical Determination Form has been submitted to the school.

To submit a new exemption form for your student:

To start the process of medical verification with your child's medical provider, to the right is a downloadable Medical Determination Form needed in order to verify a student's mask exemption.
This form must be completed by a medical practitioner and returned to your child's school site.

Questions about the requirement for Medical Determination by CDPH and the process to submit this documentation can be directed to your child’s school.

Employee Mask Exemption Process

If you need to submit a Mask Exemption form:

You will need to complete the Medical Determination Form found here.
You will need to have this form completed by a physician and return it to the Human Resources office.
HR personnel will verify the form with your physician’s office and finalize your exemption for the 2021-22 school year.
You will need to follow the K-12 school mask requirements until a completed Medical Determination Form is on file with Human Resources.

Questions about the requirement for Medical Determination by CDPH and the process to submit this documentation can be directed to Human Resources at 327-9300.

Mask Exemption FAQs

Q. If my child is exempt from wearing a mask, do they have to wear another kind of face covering?
A. As stated on the medical verification form, the doctor will note if the student’s medical condition permits him/her to wear a non-restrictive alternative to a mask, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge.

Q. What are my options if I do not want my child in a classroom where another student MAY be exempted from wearing a mask?
A. We are offering two options: 1) Enrollment in our Clovis Online School, which is a fully accredited K-12 school, and 2) Independent Study, which will be available to families. Information about both of these options can be found in the Instructional Model section of our 2021-22 School Year page.