What CDC’s table says
Verbatim from CDC’s Appendix A, with bibliography numbers removed.
Scabies
ContactStandardDurationUntil 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy
Lice — Head (pediculosis)
ContactStandardDurationUntil 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy
See CDC’s Parasites – Lice
Lice — Body
StandardDuration—
Transmitted person-to-person through infested clothing. Wear gown and gloves when removing clothing; bag and wash clothes according to CDC guidance Parasites – Lice.
Lice — Pubic
StandardDuration—
Transmitted person-to-person through sexual contact. See CDC’s Parasites – Lice.
Test yourself: a CIC-style question
A patient is diagnosed with scabies. In addition to Standard Precautions, what type of Transmission-Based Precautions should be implemented?
- Contact Precautions
- Droplet Precautions
- Airborne Precautions
- No additional precautions
Show answer
A. Contact Precautions
Scabies spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact. CDC recommends Contact + Standard Precautions until 24 hours after effective therapy starts.
Questions like this come up in the Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents domain of the CIC® exam. The 654 questions in the app each come with a written explanation.
FAQ
- What precautions are needed for Scabies?
- Contact + Standard. Room: Single room preferred. PPE: Gown and gloves on room entry. Head lice: Also Contact + Standard until 24 hours after effective therapy. Body and pubic lice: Standard Precautions.
- How long do Scabies precautions last?
- Until 24 hours after effective therapy starts.
Sources
Checked against CDC on October 21, 2026. For education and CIC® exam preparation only — not a substitute for your facility’s infection prevention policies, your state or local health department, or clinical judgment. CBIC and CDC do not endorse this tool.