Update Regarding Proposed Sports Physical Rule Change for 7th and 9th Graders
From: Gary Nixon, Executive Director, State Board of Education
Dr. Timothy K. Webb, Acting Commissioner, Department of Education.
Veronica Gunn, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
Michael Warren, MD, Medical Director, Governor’s Office of Children’s Care Coordination
Ronnie Carter, Executive Director, TSSAA
There has been a delay in the process of moving forward with the proposed rule change regarding
sports physicals for 7th and 9th graders.
In the meantime, the State Board of Education still recommends that 7th and 9th grade athletes get the
well-child checkup/EPSDT screen. Until the rule-making process is complete, however, either exam
(the traditional sports physical or the comprehensive well-child checkup/EPSDT screen) will be
accepted by the State Board of Education and by TSSAA.
Sports physicals are good exams for clearing students to participate in sports, but this represents only
a part of a student’s total health. It is important to also address the physical, social and emotional
well-being of children. This can only be accomplished through the full well-child checkup.
Given that the intent of the proposed rule is to improve children’s health, the State Board of Education
still recommends that athletes in these two grades get the comprehensive well-child checkup/EPSDT screen. This checkup should be done by the athlete’s primary care provider—this is the doctor or
nurse practitioner who takes care of them when they are sick and when they need a checkup.
The Interscholastic Sports Examination Form is the only form needed for these students. TSSAA is accepting this form for these students (and TSSAA will accept this form for students in any othe
r grade as well). Although the comprehensive EPSDT/well-child checkup is recommended, it is not required that athletes have this box checked on their clearance form.
You can download the form from the TSSAA website
(http://www.tssaa.org/Forms/forms.htm#Physical) or the TN Department of Health (http://health.state.tn.us/Downloads/sportsphysicalform.pdf).
For more information:
--About service providers, EPSDT program:
Pam Baggett, Dept of Health: 615-532-3101
--About medical questions related to physicals:
Dr. Michael Warren, GOCCC: 615-741-5192
--About the proposed rule change or processes related to local schools or the State Board of
Education (SBE):
David Sevier, SBE: 615-741-2966
--About athlete eligibility, which sports require clearance, or other sports questions:
TSSAA, 615-889-6740