North Carolina High School Athletic Association
Since 1913

Health & Safety

For Parents & Students

Student-Athlete Physical Examination Eligibility Requirement

To be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics, a student shall receive a medical examination every 395 days by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, subject to the provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. 

      NC State Board of Education Policy Code ATHL-005, Line 9

NCHSAA Application Note 1.2.9 elaborates on the administration of this process, which is summarized below. 

The pre-participation evaluation has three sections. 

1. History Form

  1. The student-athlete and his/her parent/guardian complete this form. 
  2. Both the athlete and a parent/guardian shall sign this form. 
  3. A member school may choose to collect this form, but it is not required to keep it at the school. 

    2. Physical Examination Form

    1. This form is completed by and signed by a licensed medical professional (MD, DO, NP, or PA-C). 
    2. The physical examination should include a thorough review of the history form. The licensed medical professional should ask any clarifying questions or discuss any areas left blank on the medical history during the physical exam. 
    3. This form should be signed on the date that the physical examination was completed. 
    4. A member school may decide to collect this form, but it is not required that it be kept at the school.     

     3. Medical Eligibility Form

    1. This form is completed by and signed by the same licensed medical professional who reviewed the history form and completed the physical form.
    2. The licensed medical professional should complete the Shared Emergency Information based on findings from the history form and the physical examination form. 
    3. This form should be signed on the date that the physical examination was completed. 
    4. In order to meet eligibility requirements, this form must be returned to the member school. 

    Forms and Information

    Guidelines & Policies

    There are two kinds of school-based health and safety personnel: Licensed Athletic Trainers and First Responders.

    Athletic Event Medical Care Requirements

    1. The licensed athletic trainer or first responder may not have concurrent coaching responsibilities during the time in which the person is working as a licensed athletic trainer or first responder.
    2. The member school’s licensed athletic trainer or first responder must physically attend all football practices and both home and away games unless excused by the superintendent in writing due to an emergency.
    3. A licensed athletic trainer or a first responder must be physically present if any protective equipment (helmets and/or shoulder pads) is worn by student-athletes participating in football skill development during the school year.
    4. A licensed athletic trainer or first responder must physically attend all summer football 7-on-7 events and must be physically present at all times in any competition area in which contests are being held.
    5. A licensed athletic trainer or first responder must physically attend all wrestling matches.
    6. A licensed athletic trainer or a first responder must be physically present at all times in any competition area in which wrestling matches are being held. Example: Wrestling in the Auxiliary Gym and Main Gym at the same time would require two licensed athletic trainers or first responders or a combination of one of each.
    • Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic injuries and medical conditions. The American Medical Association (AMA), the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognize athletic training as an allied healthcare profession.
    • Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under a physician’s direction as prescribed by state licensure statutes. In North Carolina, an athletic trainer carries out the practice of care, prevention, and rehabilitation of athletes’ injuries under a written protocol with a physician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes and filed with the North Carolina Medical Board. In carrying out these functions, they may use physical modalities, including heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices related to rehabilitation and treatment.
    • Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)—In North Carolina, a licensed athletic trainer is an individual who is licensed under Article 34 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, entitling them to perform the functions and duties of an athletic trainer.Any individual designated as an athletic trainer at any NCHSAA member high school must meet the following criteria.

    First Responder (FR) – A first responder must meet the following NCAC 16 06E .0266 requirements.

    Individuals designated as first responders at an NCHSAA member school must meet these criteria.

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    NCATA Secondary School EAP Review Committee

    All EAPs must be reviewed by a licensed athletic trainer (LAT) in North Carolina.

    Your district representative from the NCATA Secondary Schools EAP Review Committee can review EAPs for schools without a LAT.