Does My Child Have to Stay Home from School for Lice? DC, MD & VA Policy Explained

Does My Child Have to Stay Home from School for Lice?

DC, MD & VA Policy Explained

One of the first questions parents ask when they discover their child has lice is whether they have to stay home from school. The short answer: in most cases, no.

What the AAP and CDC say: Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC have moved away from "no-nit" policies. Current AAP guidance states that children should not be excluded from school because of lice or nits. Their reasoning: lice are not a public health hazard, do not transmit disease, and keeping children out of school causes more harm than the lice themselves.

Washington DC Public Schools:

DCPS follows guidance aligned with AAP recommendations. Children are generally not required to stay home. Individual schools may have their own policies — call the school nurse directly if you are unsure.

Montgomery County Public Schools:

MCPS follows a non-exclusionary lice policy. Parents are notified and asked to begin treatment, but students typically remain in school. Private schools in Bethesda and Chevy Chase may have stricter requirements.

Northern Virginia (Fairfax County and Arlington County):

Both school systems follow non-exclusionary policies consistent with AAP guidelines.

The practical reality: Even when exclusion is not required, treatment should happen quickly. Lice spread through direct head-to-head contact, and every day of an untreated case is another opportunity for it to reach a classmate.

Two Nice Lice Ladies can typically be at your home the same day or the following morning — meaning your child can return to school cleared within 24 hours. We also provide written proof of treatment if your school requests it.

Call or text 202.540.0750 or book at twoniceliceladies.com.