IHSAA Sports Physicals Are Now Valid for 2026–27 — Walk In Today

April 1st is the official start date for valid IHSAA sports physicals. Under IHSAA Rule 3-10, a physical examination must be performed on or after April 1 and before a student-athlete’s first practice to be valid for the upcoming school year. That window is now open — and if your student-athlete plays a fall sport, the clock is already running.

I’m Dr. Lisa Clay, MD, FAAFP, board-certified family physician and founder of Monarch Medicine Urgent Care in Carmel. We perform IHSAA sports physicals every day of the week, no appointment needed, with IHSAA forms printed on-site and completed during your visit. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why April 1 Matters for IHSAA Athletes

The IHSAA requires that every student-athlete complete a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) before their first practice each school year. The physical must be performed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant using the current IHSAA form — and it must be dated on or after April 1 to be valid for the following school year.

A physical done in February or March does not count for fall 2026 sports. A physical done April 1 or later does. This is the most common compliance issue we see — families who got physicals done earlier in the year and don’t realize they need a new one.

What’s Included in an IHSAA Sports Physical at Monarch Medicine

Every sports physical at Monarch Medicine is performed by a board-certified physician — not a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Dr. Clay personally evaluates every patient. The exam covers all components required by the IHSAA Pre-Participation Evaluation:

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  Medical history review Cardiovascular history, prior injuries, medications, family history of heart conditions — the elements most likely to affect clearance decisions
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  Cardiovascular screening Heart rate, rhythm, murmur assessment — the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in student-athletes is undetected cardiac abnormality
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  Musculoskeletal evaluation Assessment of prior injuries, range of motion, and any limitations that affect sport-specific participation
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  Vision screening Basic visual acuity check — relevant for athletes in contact sports and sports with projectiles
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  Blood pressure and vitals Hypertension in adolescents is underdiagnosed — elevated BP at a sports physical is often the first time it’s caught
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  IHSAA form completion and clearance documentation Printed on-site, signed by Dr. Clay, ready to hand to your school the same day

Pricing and Insurance

Our self-pay rate for sports physicals is $65.80 — one of the lowest physician-led rates in Hamilton County. Most insurance plans cover sports physicals as preventive care, though coverage varies by plan. We verify insurance at check-in and communicate costs before the visit begins.

For families with multiple student-athletes, we see all of them in a single visit — no need to schedule separate appointments for each child.

What to Bring

Walk-ins are welcome — you don’t need an appointment. To make your visit as fast as possible, bring the following:

• Photo ID (parent/guardian ID for athletes under 18)
• Insurance card if using insurance
• List of current medications and dosages
• Immunization records if available (required for school enrollment physicals)
• Prior injury history — particularly any concussions, fractures, or cardiac evaluations

You do not need to bring the IHSAA form — we print it on-site. You do not need to download or pre-fill anything.

Physicals for Every Activity Type

We complete physicals for all activities requiring pre-participation evaluation — not just IHSAA sports:

When Should You Come In?

The short answer: as soon as possible, but at least 2 weeks before your athlete’s first practice. Here’s why timing matters:

• Fall sports tryouts typically begin in late July and early August — football, soccer, cross country, and volleyball all start within days of each other
• If Dr. Clay identifies something that requires follow-up — an elevated BP reading, a cardiac murmur that needs cardiology clearance, or an orthopedic concern — you need time to address it before the first practice
• Walk-in wait times are lowest in April and May — they increase significantly in July as families rush to get physicals done before fall camps

Frequently Asked Questions