Every school year, the same scene plays out in Georgia households: tryouts are next week, and the sports physical form is still sitting unsigned in a backpack. A sports physical is required for student athletes, it has to be the right form, and it has to be current. Here is what the exam involves, what to bring so it gets done in one visit, and why the week before tryouts is the worst time to book it.
The Georgia requirement
Students who play school sports in Georgia need a preparticipation physical evaluation every year. The exam is documented on the official form used by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), which has three parts: a history form about the athlete’s health background, a physical examination form completed by the medical professional, and a clearance form that says whether the student is cleared to play, and with any restrictions.
The physical is valid for 12 months from the date of the exam. If last year’s physical was done in September, it expires this September, even if the season runs longer. Check the date on your child’s last form before the season starts, not after.
What the exam covers
A sports physical is a screening exam focused on whether it is safe for a student to play. It includes:
- Height, weight, and body measurements
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Vision screening
- Heart and lung check, listening for murmurs and breathing problems
- Ears, nose, and throat check
- Muscles, bones, and joints: strength, flexibility, and any old injuries
- A review of the medical history: asthma, allergies, concussions, heart symptoms, surgeries, and medications
The history matters as much as the exam itself. Questions about fainting during exercise, chest pain, family heart history, and past concussions are on the form because they change what a provider looks for. Fill the history section in honestly and completely, with your child, before the visit.
The parent’s part of the form
The history form is the parent or guardian’s job. It asks about the athlete’s health history and includes consent and acknowledgment sections that a parent or legal guardian signs. Complete your sections at home, where you have your child’s medication list and health records in front of you, and bring the partly completed form with you. A form that arrives blank costs everyone time, and a form with a missing parent signature can mean the exam cannot be finalized that day.
What to bring
- The school or GHSA physical form, with the history and consent sections already completed and signed by a parent or guardian
- A list of your child’s current medications
- Glasses or contacts, if your child wears them, since vision is part of the exam
- Any records about conditions the provider should know about, such as asthma action plans or cardiology clearances
Sports physicals are one of the services we offer at C&C Express Urgent Care in Riverdale, and walk-in visits mean the form can usually be handled the same day you come in.
Sports physical vs. annual checkup: not the same thing
Parents often ask whether a sports physical replaces the yearly checkup with their child’s doctor. It does not. A sports physical is a focused screening for safe participation in a sport. An annual checkup is a broader health review that covers development, vaccinations, screening labs, and everything else a growing child needs. A sports physical can catch problems, and providers will flag anything that needs follow up, but it is narrower by design. Keep both on the calendar.
Timing: do not wait for tryout week
The busiest weeks for sports physicals are the weeks right before each season starts, when every family in the county has the same deadline. If anything on the exam needs follow up, an extra test, a specialist’s note, or a restriction the coach needs to understand, a last minute visit leaves no time to sort it out, and the athlete sits out. A month ahead is comfortable. The form is valid for a full year either way.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need a sports physical every year?
Yes. Georgia school athletics require a current preparticipation physical every year, and the form expires 12 months after the exam date. A physical from two seasons ago will not be accepted, even if nothing about your child’s health has changed.
Can you sign our school’s form?
Bring the form your school or league gives you, including the standard GHSA form, and the provider completes the examination and clearance sections during the visit. Fill in the history and consent sections at home first, since those are the parent’s part and must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
How long does it take?
The exam itself is usually about 20 to 30 minutes once you are in the room. Bringing the form already completed on the parent side is the single biggest time saver.
Do I need an appointment?
No, walk-ins are welcome. If you prefer a set time, you can book your visit online before you come in.
What if something is flagged?
Most flags are small: a blood pressure reading to recheck, an old injury to document, a heart murmur that needs one follow up. Sometimes the provider clears the athlete with a note, and sometimes clearance waits on an extra test or a specialist’s input. Either way, you will know exactly what is needed and why. That is the point of the exam, and it is another reason to come in well before tryouts rather than the day before.
Where are you located?
We are at 773 Hwy 138, Suite 1 in Riverdale, open Monday to Friday 8AM to 7PM and Saturday 10AM to 6PM. Directions and parking details are on our contact page, or call us at 770-217-5479.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency care, call C&C Express Urgent Care at 770-217-5479 or book a visit online.