A sports physical is a short medical exam that confirms your child can safely play their sport. To get through it quickly, bring the school or league form, a list of medications and past injuries, family heart history, glasses or contacts, your ID, and your insurance card or payment method. Then make sure the signed clearance form goes to the school.
This checklist covers each step, from timing and paperwork to the exam itself, plus what to do afterward. If your athlete needs to be cleared this week, Sahara West Urgent Care & Wellness offers walk-in sports physicals on W. Sahara Ave. Call (702) 248-0554 with questions.
The 60-Second Sports Physical Checklist
- ☐ Confirm which form your school or league requires, and whether it needs a new physical this school year
- ☐ Download and print the forms, then fill in the history sections before the visit
- ☐ Ask relatives about heart conditions, sudden or unexplained deaths at a young age, and fainting
- ☐ List your child’s medications, supplements, allergies, past injuries, surgeries, and concussions
- ☐ Pack glasses or contacts, vaccination records, photo ID, and your insurance card or payment method
- ☐ Plan for 30–45 minutes at the clinic
- ☐ Leave with the signed clearance form and make a copy
- ☐ Submit the right page to the school, and keep the rest
What Is a Sports Physical, and Is It Required in Nevada?
A sports physical is also called a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE). A provider reviews your child’s health history and does a hands-on exam to spot anything that could make sports unsafe. The goal is to keep kids playing safely, not to keep them out.
Nevada high school athletes need one. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) sets the medical form requirements for interscholastic sports, and Clark County School District (CCSD) schools follow them.
- The forms: NIAA’s current packet has several pages. Typically only the Medical Eligibility Form (the last page, signed by the provider) goes to the school. The health history and exam pages stay with the provider.
- How often: Older guidance allowed one physical every two years. NIAA’s 2025 form update, and several school athletic departments since, call for a new physical each school year. Check with your child’s coach or athletic office before you book.
- Club and rec leagues: Requirements vary by organization. Ask the league which form it accepts.
Before the Appointment: Your Parent Checklist
1. Pick the right time
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests scheduling a sports physical 6–8 weeks before the season starts. That leaves time for follow-up if the provider finds something. Winter and spring sports often start soon after the holidays, so now is a good time to book.
If tryouts are days away, don’t panic. A walk-in clinic can often complete the exam and sign forms the same day.
2. Get the correct forms
- Ask the school’s athletic office or coach which form is current
- Download the NIAA forms from your school or the NIAA website
- Bring the school or league’s own form if it has one
- Check the footer date on the form so you aren’t using an outdated version
3. Fill out the health history together
Parents usually need to help with this part. Sit down with your athlete and cover:
- Family heart history: any relative with a heart condition, an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, or a sudden unexplained death at a young age
- Your child’s heart-related symptoms: chest pain, fainting, or unusual shortness of breath during exercise
- Concussions or head injuries, including how many and when
- Asthma or breathing trouble during exercise
- Past injuries and surgeries: sprains, fractures, joint problems
- Medications, supplements, and allergies
- Mental health and sleep, which are part of the NIAA history questions
Answer honestly. The history is the most important part of the exam, and a “yes” answer is not a failure. It tells the provider where to look.
4. Pack what to bring
| Bring | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| School or league sports physical forms | The provider completes and signs them |
| Completed history sections (signed by parent if your child is under 18) | Speeds up the visit |
| Photo ID | Verifies identity |
| Insurance card or payment method | Coverage for sports physicals varies by plan |
| Medication and supplement list | Affects clearance decisions |
| Glasses or contacts | Needed for the vision check |
| Vaccination records | Often requested by schools and leagues |
| Notes on past injuries or concussions | Helps the provider examine the right areas |
What the Provider Checks During a Sports Physical
| Part of the exam | What happens | Why it matters for sports |
|---|---|---|
| Vitals | Height, weight, blood pressure, pulse | Baseline health and growth |
| Vision | Eye chart screening | Safety and reaction time |
| Heart and lungs | Listening to heart and breathing | Screening for conditions that can limit exercise |
| Musculoskeletal exam | Joints, spine, strength, flexibility, movement | Finds weak spots and old injuries before they get worse |
| General exam | Ears, nose, throat, abdomen, skin | Catches issues that affect participation |
| Conversation | Nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress | Supports healthy training habits |
The exam is not a pass/fail test. Providers typically mark an athlete as cleared, cleared with conditions, or needing further evaluation before clearance.
Questions Parents Should Ask the Provider
- Does my child have any restrictions for their sport or position?
- Is any follow-up testing or a specialist visit needed?
- What should we do about a past concussion or recurring injury?
- Is my child getting enough sleep, fluids, and nutrition for their training load?
- What warning signs should we report right away?
- Is this a good time to update vaccines or schedule a full annual physical?
After the Physical: Get Cleared and Stay Organized
- Review the signed form for the provider’s signature, exam date, and any listed restrictions.
- Make a copy or take a photo before you hand it in.
- Submit the Medical Eligibility Form (or whatever page your school specifies) to the athletic office. Keep the other pages for your records unless the school asks for them.
- Follow through on recommendations. If the provider suggested a follow-up, schedule it promptly so your athlete isn’t sidelined longer than necessary.
- Share relevant information with the coach, such as asthma, allergies, or a recent injury.
Don’t Wait for the Physical: Symptoms to Act On
Don’t hold these symptoms until the sports physical appointment:
- Chest pain, or fainting or near-fainting during or after exercise
- Heart racing or skipping beats at rest or with light activity
- Shortness of breath that seems out of proportion to the effort
- Ongoing headaches, dizziness, or confusion after a head injury
- A swollen, deformed, or painful joint or limb after an injury
For a medical emergency, call 911. For non-life-threatening injuries, urgent care can evaluate your athlete the same day, and on-site X-ray services are available Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Season Safety Checklist for Parents
The physical clears your child to play. These habits keep them healthy once the season starts.
- ☐ Make sure the coach has your emergency contacts, doctor information, and allergy details
- ☐ Tell the coach about asthma or other conditions that may need attention
- ☐ Send a water bottle to every practice and game, especially in Las Vegas heat
- ☐ Learn the signs of dehydration and heat illness, and make sure your athlete and coach know them
- ☐ Check that protective gear fits and is worn in practices as well as games
- ☐ Know the signs of a concussion, and never let a child “walk it off”
- ☐ Build in rest days, and avoid year-round single-sport overload
Sports Physical vs. Annual Physical
A sports physical focuses on safe participation. An annual physical is broader: it covers growth, vaccines, nutrition, mental health, and preventive care. If your athlete’s well-child visit is due, ask for both in one appointment. See what happens during an annual physical for a step-by-step walkthrough, or learn about primary care in Las Vegas.
Sports Physicals at Sahara West Urgent Care & Wellness
If tryouts are close or your pediatrician’s schedule is full, we can help.
- Walk-ins welcome: no appointment needed
- School, league, and NIAA forms: completed and signed at the visit if your athlete is cleared
- Typical visit length: about 30–45 minutes
- Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–8pm, Saturday 9am–3pm
- Address: 6125 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89146
- Payment: major insurance plans and self-pay options accepted; see accepted insurances or ask about membership savings
We serve families across Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Spring Valley.
Book Your Athlete’s Sports Physical or call (702) 248-0554.
FAQs
What should I bring to a sports physical?
Bring the school or league form, completed history sections, photo ID, your insurance card or payment method, a medication list, glasses or contacts, and any notes on past injuries or concussions.
How long does a sports physical take?
Most sports physicals take about 30–45 minutes, depending on your child’s history and the paperwork involved.
Do I need to go with my child?
Plan to. A parent or guardian should help complete the health history, which asks about family history and medical background, and must sign it if the athlete is under 18. Call ahead if someone else will bring your child.
Is a sports physical required in Nevada?
Yes, for interscholastic high school sports. NIAA sets the forms, and CCSD schools follow them. Frequency rules have changed recently, so confirm with your school’s athletic office.
How often does my child need a sports physical?
Many schools now ask for a new physical each school year on the current NIAA forms. Club and rec leagues may differ, so check with them.
Do I need an appointment?
Not at Sahara West. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.
What happens if my child doesn’t pass?
A sports physical isn’t pass/fail. If the provider finds a concern, they may recommend more testing, treatment, or restrictions for certain sports, then clear your child once it’s addressed. This is why early scheduling helps.
Is a sports physical the same as an annual physical?
No. A sports physical focuses on safe participation. An annual physical is a broader health review. You can ask for both at the same visit.
Does insurance cover sports physicals?
Coverage varies by plan, and some plans don’t cover them. Call us at (702) 248-0554 and we can review your options.
What’s the best time to get a sports physical?
Ideally 6–8 weeks before the season. If you’re short on time, a walk-in clinic can often finish the exam and forms the same day.
Ready to get your athlete cleared? Walk in to Sahara West Urgent Care & Wellness, book online, or call (702) 248-0554.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. For emergencies, call 911.
