If your child plays organized sports, is enrolling in a new school, heading to college, attending a summer camp, or needs a health clearance for any youth program, chances are they will need a physical examination. These exams — commonly referred to as sports physicals, school physicals, or pre-participation physical evaluations (PPE) — are required by most schools, athletic leagues, and youth organizations in California to ensure that young people are healthy enough to participate safely in physical activities and educational programs.
At Palm Urgent Care, we offer same-day physical exams with no appointment needed at all four of our San Diego County locations. Our providers complete all required forms on-site during your visit, so there is no waiting days or weeks for results or paperwork.
Types of Physical Exams We Offer
Palm Urgent Care provides a comprehensive range of physical examinations for children, adolescents, and adults:
- Sports physicals (pre-participation physical evaluation) — required by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and most youth athletic leagues before a student can try out for or participate in a school or club sport. Valid for one calendar year.
- School physicals — required for enrollment in many California public and private schools, especially for students entering kindergarten, transitioning between school levels, or transferring from out of state.
- College physicals — many colleges and universities require a recent physical exam and proof of up-to-date immunizations as part of the enrollment process.
- Camp physicals — day camps, overnight camps, and specialty summer programs frequently require a physical exam completed within the prior 12 months.
- Employment physicals — pre-employment health screenings required by many employers, particularly in healthcare, food service, education, and manual labor industries.
- DOT physicals — Department of Transportation physical examinations required for commercial motor vehicle drivers, including CDL holders. These exams follow specific federal guidelines and must be performed by a certified medical examiner.
What Is Included in a Sports Physical?
A sports physical is a thorough evaluation of your child's overall health and their physical readiness to participate in athletic activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children and adolescents receive an annual physical examination. During a sports physical at Palm Urgent Care, your provider will assess the following:
- Height, weight, and BMI — baseline growth measurements compared to age-appropriate norms
- Vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature
- Vision screening — basic visual acuity testing using a standard eye chart
- Cardiovascular examination — listening to the heart for murmurs, irregular rhythms, or other abnormalities. The provider will also ask about any family history of heart conditions, sudden cardiac death, or fainting during exercise.
- Pulmonary examination — listening to the lungs and assessing breathing patterns, especially relevant for students with asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm
- Musculoskeletal assessment — evaluating joint stability, range of motion, flexibility, and strength. The provider will check for conditions such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine), ligament laxity, and previous injury sites.
- Abdominal examination — checking for organ enlargement (splenomegaly, hepatomegaly) that could pose a risk during contact sports
- Skin examination — screening for contagious skin conditions (such as impetigo, ringworm, or herpes simplex) that could spread to other athletes
- Medical history review — a comprehensive review of the student's health history, including past injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, allergies, medications, and family health history
What to Bring to Your Physical Exam
- The required physical exam form from your child's school, league, employer, or camp. If you do not have a form, we can provide standard California forms on-site.
- Insurance card — Medi-Cal, Medicare, or private insurance. Physical exams are covered as preventive care under most plans.
- Immunization records — your child's vaccination history, which may be available through the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) or your pediatrician's office
- List of medications and allergies — including over-the-counter supplements and inhalers
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses — if your child wears corrective lenses, they should wear them to the vision screening
Same-Day Completion and Results
At Palm Urgent Care, we complete and sign all required physical exam forms on-site during your visit. There is no need to return for a follow-up appointment, wait for results to be mailed, or chase down paperwork from a separate facility. Most sports physical appointments take approximately 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
If your provider identifies a condition that requires further evaluation — such as a heart murmur, a history of concussions, or a potential musculoskeletal issue — they will discuss next steps with you and provide a referral to the appropriate specialist.
When Should You Schedule Your Child's Physical?
We recommend completing physical exams at least four to six weeks before the start of the sports season, school year, or camp session. This allows time for any follow-up evaluations or clearances if needed. However, because Palm Urgent Care operates on a walk-in basis, we can also accommodate last-minute physicals — even on the same day.
Get Your Physical Today
Walk into any Palm Urgent Care location in El Cajon, National City, or San Ysidro for a same-day physical examination. No appointment required. We accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most insurance plans, as well as self-pay patients. Check our locations page for hours and wait times, or request an appointment online.