Last Updated: January 2026
Quick Answer (The Busy-Parent Answer)
- Yes — we offer school sports physicals and college physicals.
- These are usually completed as part of the annual well-child or teen visit, which is the most thorough option.
- If timing or school requirements don’t line up, we can also complete them as stand-alone visits.
- We help families navigate forms, deadlines, and requirements so nothing gets missed.
Key Points At A Glance
- Sports and college physicals are often best done during the annual wellness visit
- Stand-alone physicals are available when needed
- We review medical history, safety, and readiness for sports or campus life
- Forms can usually be completed at the visit if brought in
- Early scheduling helps avoid last-minute stress
What This Means In Plain English
If your child needs a sports physical for school or a physical for college, you’re in the right place.
At Covington Pediatrics, Functional and Integrative Medicine, we routinely complete:
- Middle and high school sports physicals
- College entrance physicals
- Athletic participation clearance forms
In most cases, we recommend doing these as part of your child’s annual well visit, because that allows us to take a more complete, preventive approach. That said, we understand real life happens — and we’re happy to offer stand-alone visits when needed.
What Is A School Sports Physical?
A school sports physical (often called a PPE — pre-participation physical evaluation) is designed to:
- Ensure it’s safe for your child to participate in sports
- Identify medical conditions that may need monitoring or accommodation
- Review past injuries, heart history, asthma, concussions, and medications
Guidance for sports participation and safety is supported by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which emphasizes injury prevention and age-appropriate clearance.
What Is A College Physical?
College physicals often go a step further and may include:
- General health clearance
- Review of immunization records
- TB screening or risk assessment (depending on the school)
- Completion of school-specific health forms
Some colleges require a physical within a specific time window, while others accept recent well-visit documentation. Requirements vary, so checking your school’s paperwork early is key.
Why We Prefer To Combine These With Annual Wellness Visits
Whenever possible, we recommend completing sports and college physicals during the annual well-child or adolescent visit.
Here’s why:
- The annual visit is more comprehensive
- We review growth, development, mental health, sleep, nutrition, and stress
- Sports clearance fits naturally into a whole-child assessment
- It avoids duplicate visits and last-minute scheduling
This approach aligns with preventive care guidance supported by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, which emphasize regular preventive care for children and teens.
Can These Be Done As Stand-Alone Visits?
Yes.
We understand that:
- Sports deadlines pop up suddenly
- College forms appear mid-summer
- A well visit may not be due yet
When needed, we can complete sports or college physicals as separate visits, as long as your child’s medical history is up to date and there are no complex concerns requiring a full wellness evaluation.
What’s Typically Reviewed During These Physicals
Whether part of a well visit or a stand-alone appointment, we typically review:
- Medical and family history (especially heart conditions or sudden cardiac events)
- Past injuries, concussions, or surgeries
- Asthma, allergies, or chronic conditions
- Medications and supplements
- Physical exam focused on safe participation
For adolescents, we also pay attention to:
- Mental health and stress
- Sleep and energy levels
- Nutrition and hydration
- Injury prevention and recovery
Forms, Paperwork, And Planning Ahead
A few tips to make things smooth:
- Bring all required school or college forms to the visit
- Complete parent and student sections ahead of time if possible
- Schedule early — summer fills up quickly
- Let us know if deadlines are tight
We’re happy to help you understand what’s required and what can reasonably be completed at one visit.
What Integrative Pediatrics Adds To Sports And College Physicals
Our integrative approach means we don’t just “sign the form.”
We also:
- Look at the whole student, not just eligibility
- Discuss injury prevention and recovery
- Address sleep, nutrition, and stress — all critical for performance and safety
- Help teens transition toward independent healthcare skills as they prepare for college
This is especially helpful for student-athletes and teens heading into a new, demanding environment.
When A Separate Or More In-Depth Visit May Be Needed
In some cases, additional evaluation may be required before clearance, such as:
- A history of fainting, chest pain, or unexplained shortness of breath
- Significant concussions or repeated injuries
- Poorly controlled asthma or chronic illness
If that’s the case, we’ll explain next steps clearly and help coordinate appropriate care.
When To Seek Care Urgently
Seek urgent medical attention for:
- Chest pain or fainting during exercise
- Severe shortness of breath
- Head injury with confusion or loss of consciousness
- Sudden weakness, severe pain, or injury
Our Bottom Line
Yes — we offer school sports physicals and college physicals.
Whenever possible, we recommend completing them as part of your child’s annual wellness visit, but we’re also happy to accommodate stand-alone visits when needed.
Our goal is to support your child’s health, safety, and readiness — on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics — https://www.aap.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — https://www.cdc.gov
- National Institutes of Health — https://www.nih.gov
- HealthyChildren.org — https://www.healthychildren.org
Medically reviewed by Dr. Juliana Nahas, MD, FAAP, FMACP
This content is for educational purposes and does not substitute personalized medical advice.
