Some parents think they can take their child for the free checkup any time before age 6. In fact, each of the 8 infant checkups has its own age window, the period when it can be done. The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단) says a checkup can only be done within that window.
The checkup is free for children under 6 who are enrolled in National Health Insurance (국민건강보험), including foreign children. This guide shows each window, what the doctor checks, and how to book. It also covers how to use the results for daycare and school.
Who can get the infant checkup
Rules verified October 2026 · National Health Insurance Act, Articles 52 and 109 · Immigration Act, Articles 23 and 31
Article 52 of the National Health Insurance Act (국민건강보험법) lists the infant checkup (영유아건강검진). It covers insured people and dependents under the age of 6. NHIS runs it from 14 days after birth to 71 months.
Foreign children are covered in the same way once they are enrolled. Under Article 109, a registered foreign worker at a covered workplace becomes an employee member (직장가입자). The worker’s family can apply to become dependents (피부양자). For the worker’s spouse and children under 19, the rule on how long they have lived in Korea does not apply.
Other registered foreign residents who meet the residence rules become local members (지역가입자). In every case, your child needs to be on NHIS before the checkup.
When the 8 checkups and 4 dental checkups happen
Schedule verified October 2026 · Health Checkup Standards (Ministry of Health and Welfare Notice 2026-6), Article 8 and Annex 3 · NHIS infant checkup page
The Health Checkup Standards (건강검진 실시기준), a Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) notice, set the age window for each round. The doctor uses a questionnaire, an exam and age-based tests.
| Round | Age window | Main checks |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (1차) | 14 to 35 days | Height, weight and head size. Questions on hearing and vision |
| 2nd (2차) | 4 to 6 months | Height, weight and head size. Questions on hearing and vision |
| 3rd (3차) | 9 to 12 months | Body measurements. Development screening starts |
| 4th (4차) | 18 to 24 months | Body measurements. Development screening |
| 5th (5차) | 30 to 36 months | Body measurements and BMI. Development screening. School readiness education |
| 6th (6차) | 42 to 48 months | Body measurements and BMI. Eye test. Whisper hearing test (귓속말검사). Development screening |
| 7th (7차) | 54 to 60 months | Body measurements and BMI. Eye test. Development screening |
| 8th (8차) | 66 to 71 months | Body measurements and BMI. Eye test. Vaccination record check. Development screening. School readiness education |
| Round | Age window |
|---|---|
| 1st dental | 18 to 29 months |
| 2nd dental | 30 to 41 months |
| 3rd dental | 42 to 53 months |
| 4th dental | 54 to 65 months |
A dentist does the dental checkup. Each dental window is longer than the health checkup window around it, so it can be a separate visit to a dental clinic (치과).
To see your child’s dates, use the date checker on the NHIS website. Enter the date of birth, and it shows the start and end date of each round. NHIS says this is only a guide. For exact dates, check 검진대상 조회 on the website or call 1577-1000.
The checkup does not include blood or urine tests. The 2026 NHIS guide says there is not enough medical evidence for them. It says advice to parents on preventing accidents is needed more.
How much it costs
Costs verified October 2026 · Health Checkup Standards, Articles 12 and 14 · NHIS 2026 infant checkup guide
Under Article 12 of the Health Checkup Standards, NHIS pays the full cost. The 2026 NHIS guide says you pay nothing when the checkup is done within its window.
Before you book, check that the date falls within your child’s window for that round.
How to get the checkup, step by step
Steps verified October 2026 · Health Checkup Standards, Article 9 · NHIS infant checkup pages · NHIS 2026 infant checkup guide
Step 1 — Find the checkup form
NHIS sends the infant checkup form (영유아 건강검진표) as an electronic document or by mail. If you did not get it or lost it, ask for a new one at 1577-1000. You can also log in and print a checkup eligibility certificate (검진대상 확인서). Go to 자녀 건강, then 영유아 건강검진, then 영유아 검진대상 조회.
Step 2 — Find a clinic and book
Use the NHIS website: 건강모아, then 기관찾기, then 병(의)원/검진기관 찾기. The NHIS app (건강보험25시) has the same finder under 기관찾기. NHIS warns that bookings can close early, so book ahead.
Step 3 — Complete the questionnaire online
You can complete the questionnaire (문진표) online from the 1st checkup. The development test form (발달선별검사지, K-DST) starts at the 3rd checkup. Log in to the NHIS website with a certificate (인증서) to use them.
After you finish the development test form, tell the clinic your registration number (등록번호). It is the birthday of the person whose certificate you used, as month then day. For example, 25 March is 0325.
Step 4 — Do the whisper test at home (6th checkup)
The 6th checkup includes a whisper test (귓속말검사) that you do at home first. The NHIS guide has picture cards. Sit about 60 cm from one ear while your child covers the other ear. Whisper a picture’s name and check if your child points to it. Write the result in the questionnaire.
Step 5 — Visit the clinic
Go within the window on your booked day. The Health Checkup Standards ask you to bring an ID, so ask the clinic which ID to bring for your child. The clinic checks your child’s round and window with NHIS before the checkup.
Step 6 — Get the results
The clinic gives you the result notice (결과통보서) directly. You can also see it on the NHIS website or app, usually about one month after the checkup.
What to do if the development test shows a concern
Support verified October 2026 · NHIS development test page · NHIS 2026 infant checkup guide
The result may say “further assessment recommended” (심화평가 권고). In that case, the national and local governments help pay for a detailed development test.
There are two ways to get the support. At a designated test center, first get a test request form (검사의뢰서) from the public health center. Bring it and the result notice to the center, and the center claims the support. At another clinic, bring the result notice and take the test. Then claim the support at the public health center yourself.
For your own claim, NHIS lists four documents. They are the checkup result notice, the detailed test result written by a specialist, the receipt, and a copy of your bank account book (통장).
The result notice also helps if your child needs more care. The NHIS guide says you can use it as a referral letter (요양급여의뢰서) at a large advanced general hospital (상급종합병원).
How to use the results for daycare and school
Rules verified October 2026 · Infant Care Act, Article 31 · Enforcement Rule, Article 33 · NHIS 2026 infant checkup guide
Under Article 31 of the Infant Care Act (영유아보육법), a daycare center (어린이집) must give children regular health checks. The enforcement rule says at least once a year. The center can use the NHIS checkup instead, and parents submit the result notice. The NHIS guide says you can also submit it to a kindergarten (유치원).
Two checkups also prepare for school: the 5th (30 to 36 months) and the 8th (66 to 71 months). The NHIS guide says the doctor gives an overall review of intellectual, emotional and social development. Parents also get advice on getting ready for school.
The 8th checkup also checks your child’s vaccination record. The NHIS guide asks parents to take care of vaccinations along with the checkups.
Where to get help in your language
NHIS has a two-page multilingual guide (다국어 영유아 건강검진 안내). It is in Korean and 13 other languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Russian. It shows the schedule and the three main steps.
If you need interpretation or translation, NHIS suggests the Danuri Helpline (다누리콜센터) at 1577-1366. For questions about the checkup, call NHIS at 1577-1000, or 033-811-2000 for English.
What to say at the clinic
Show the Korean line on your phone, or read the romanized line aloud.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
Every rule and figure here comes from the pages below. Rules can change each year. Open the page before you use this information.