How often is the tuberculin skin test required?

• A. Yearly
• B. Monthly
• C. Every two years
• D. Only at entry

Answer: (A)

Regular TB screening is required in clinical education programs because students routinely interact with patients who may have active tuberculosis. The tuberculin skin test (TST) helps catch new infections early. Starting with a baseline test on entry ensures you know your status from the outset, and re-testing on a yearly basis keeps screening current since exposure can occur at any point during clinical rotations. Testing only at entry would miss infections acquired later, and testing every two years could allow a new infection to go undetected. That's why a yearly TST is the standard requirement. If a test becomes positive, follow the program’s protocol for medical evaluation and treatment.