New York State Education Department requires all students to have a physical examination as follows:
- All new entrants - all PreK students; all students who enroll in the District for the first time at Kindergarten or any other grade
- All students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
- Within the past year for work permit
- Within the past year for students trying out for a school sports team (modified, junior varsity, or varsity) - physical exam dated as far back as the first day of the month, one year prior to the start of the sports season
- At least every 3 years for students receiving special education services (students with an Individualized Education Plan)
The school nurse must have documentation from a healthcare provider of the physical examination findings.
Guidelines for Physical Health Forms for School
- It is preferable that your child be examined by his or her own healthcare provider (doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, practicing in New York State or within 50 miles of a NYS border). The goal of the physical exam is to identify health factors that contribute to or interfere with your child's ability to function satisfactorily in school. The physical exam done in school is not intended to replace the more thorough physical with your child's personal physician.
- Examinations performed on or after Sept. 1st of the year before the child enters the District or the mandated grade, or later, may be used in any of the mandated grades. If documentation of a new entrant or grade-mandated physical is not received by November 1st of the mandated year, the school nurse practitioner can perform your child's physical at school. You will be notified with a letter beforehand. The school nurse practitioner can perform physicals at school for students for special education purposes, if needed, but only if the parent/guardian signs a written consent form. The school nurse can provide this form.
- During physical exams performed at school, just as in a private medical office, boys will be checked for the presence of both testicles and for inguinal hernia. Girls will be visually checked for breast and genital development for the purpose of maturity screening. New York State law allows parents to request to be present for this exam. Exemption from a school physical is permitted by the state, but only on grounds of sincere and genuine religious beliefs - ask your school nurse, if you believe this applies to your family.
- If the parent wants a private physical but can't get it by the end of September, he or she must notify the school health office of the date of the appointment. Screenings such as vision, hearing, scoliosis, blood pressure, height and weight are done in different grades and should not be confused with the required physical.
Physical Exams for Athletes
The student must bring in documentation of a physical done by the private healthcare provider for participation in sports. If this is not possible or if the student is a new entrant to the District, the school nurse practitioner may perform this physical exam. This form is good for one year, plus to the end of the month in which they are done. For more information about health requirements for sports participation, please call our Office of Athletics at 607-735-3565.
Physical Exams for Work Permits
School districts in NYS are responsible for issuing employment certificates to qualified applicants (Education Law Article 65). School superintendents have the authority to designate principals or other school officials to act as certificating officials. Detailed information on the application process is available on the NYSED website. A Certificate of Physical Fitness must be presented to the certifying school official at the time of application. The school district must provide the exam if requested. The physical examination states that the student is healthy, and there are no known health problems at the time of application and that the applicant is physically qualified for lawful employment. If a known health problem exists at the time of the application, another physical examination may be required by the issuing authority (school), or the student may be issued a Limited Employment Certificate, which is valid for six months.