A Pre-Participation Exam or Sports Physical promotes the health and safety of athletes in training and competition. A PPE provides important information to encourage safe participation in a sport club. A PPE screens for conditions which may predispose an athlete to injury or illness, and screens for conditions which may be life threatening or disabling with participation in a sport club.

No, a PPE is different from a regular health maintenance exam. A PPE does not replace routine health maintenance visits with your healthcare provider. Providing a record of a routine physical or health maintenance exam will not be accepted as proof of receiving a PPE.

Physicians (MD, DO), Nurse Practitioners (NP, RNP), or Physicians Assistants (PA) are qualified to perform PPEs. A PPE completed by a Registered Nurse, Chiropractor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, massage therapist, personal trainer, etc. will not be accepted.

All students participating in a sport club at Sacramento State must complete a Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) to participate in sport activities beginning January 1st, 2025. Feel free to get your PPE done as soon as possible to ensure you are approved to physically participate in sport activities beginning January 1^st. PPEs are valid for one year after your exam. A new PPE must be completed annually and submitted to SHCWS to continue participation.

Students who complete their Pre-Participation Exam off campus will need to complete the Sacramento State Pre-Participation Medical History Questionnaire and Physical Exam with their healthcare provider during their PPE appointment.

Students who complete their Pre-Participation Exam on campus will need to arrive at their appointment 30 minutes early to complete necessary paperwork before being seen by a medical provider.

Sacramento State Pre-Participation Medical History Questionnaire and Physical Exam

All currently enrolled students who plan to participate in a sport club can complete their PPE on campus at Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services (SHCWS) for free. To schedule an appointment through your Patient Portal or contact us at 916-278-6461. Ensure you mention this is a SPORT CLUB physical when scheduling.

Students can also choose to get a PPE through your personal primary care provider or at an urgent care clinic off campus.

All students who completed their Pre-Participation Exam off campus may turn in the completed and signed Pre-Participation Medical History Questionnaire and Physical Exam forms on campus to either the

• Athletic Trainer within SHCWS. Athletic training clinic can be located by using The Well East Entrance, room 1071.
• Urgent care front desk within SHCWS
• Primary care front desk within SHCWS

If a student completes the exam at SHCWS, the athletic trainer will review the exam and reach out to the student for further evaluation if needed.

Students who complete their exam off-campus will need to first submit a copy of their completed and signed Pre-Participation Medical History Questionnaire and Physical Exam forms to SHCWS (see above). The athletic trainer will review the exam and reach out to the student for further evaluation if needed.

Completion of their exam will be relayed to Sport Club Staff/Combat U Staff so their membership application can be moved forward in the membership application process. If a student is cleared by a physician to participate in sport, they should proceed with their sport club application. For assistance with the Sport Clubs Membership Application process, please email sportclubs@csus.edu or combatu@csus.edu (for Combat U athletes).

Your PPE will be kept on file at SHCWS and will be reviewed as needed if a medical issue arises while you are participating in a sport club.

Students are not required to have health insurance to utilize services at Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services. Pre-Participation Exams are available on campus for free. Students who choose to receive a PPE outside of SHCWS assume financial responsibility for any services rendered off-campus.

Students may request ADA accommodations prior to completing the PPE or following the PPE. Students may contact the Disability Access Center to discuss disability-related issues and reasonable accommodation needs.

What are my options if I am not cleared by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant or if I choose not to complete a PPE?

Students can still join a sport club as a member, but they will not be permitted to physically participate in sport activities.