PA Kids Can Now Carry and Use Sunscreen at School (No Nurse Visit)
A plain-English guide for Pennsylvania parents on the new sunscreen rule, the permission form your child needs, and which products qualify.
As of January 2025, Pennsylvania students returning from winter break can carry FDA-approved non-aerosol sunscreen and apply it themselves at school and school activities, with no doctor's note and no nurse visit required, making Pennsylvania the 17th state to allow it.
School nursing advocates note that prior policies often treated everyday sunscreen like a regulated medication, creating an unnecessary barrier to sun protection during the school day.
Questions we get a lot
Does my child need a doctor's note to use sunscreen at school in Pennsylvania?
No. Under the law that took effect in January 2025, Pennsylvania students may carry and self-apply FDA-approved sunscreen without a physician's note. Previously, sunscreen was often handled like a medication requiring documentation. Check your individual district's policy, as some still ask parents to sign a simple acknowledgment.
What kind of sunscreen can my child bring to a Pennsylvania school?
The allowance covers FDA-approved, non-aerosol sunscreen, meaning lotions and sticks rather than spray cans. Sprays are generally excluded because of inhalation and application concerns in shared spaces. Pack a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher lotion or stick your child can apply on their own.
Why did Pennsylvania change the rule?
The change recognizes that requiring a doctor's note or a nurse visit discouraged sun protection during the school day. By letting students carry and apply sunscreen themselves, Pennsylvania joined 16 other states with similar laws. The goal is to make daily UV protection as routine and accessible as possible for children.
r/Parenting: 'My kid's PA elementary school used to make them line up at the nurse to put on sunscreen. Is that still a thing now?'