Where to Get a Sports Physical in Dallas-Fort Worth (Cost, Timing & What's Included)

In Texas, the UIL (University Interscholastic League) governs middle and high school athletics and requires a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) before student-athletes can compete. Statewide, UIL requires physicals before 7th, 9th, and 11th grade — but many Dallas-area districts go further.

Fort Worth ISD requires an annual physical for all athletes entering 7th through 12th grade, and the physical must be dated after May 1 to count for the upcoming school year. Dallas ISD and most other DFW-area districts have similar requirements — check with your school’s athletic trainer to confirm the exact deadline before you schedule.

The sweet spot: at least 6 weeks before your season starts. If the provider finds anything requiring follow-up — a concerning cardiac finding, an old injury that needs imaging, a specialist referral — you’ll have enough runway to address it before the first practice. Arriving for tryouts without clearance because the physical happened too late is entirely avoidable.

One more thing worth knowing: a single sports physical typically covers your child for the entire school year, not just one sport. One visit clears your athlete for football in the fall and basketball in the winter.

A sports physical — formally called a Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) — has two components: a medical history review and a physical examination. Together, they take about 15–20 minutes.

Before the physical exam begins, the provider reviews your child’s health history. This portion is typically completed on the UIL form by the parent and student together. It covers:

• Personal and family history of heart conditions, fainting, or sudden cardiac events
• Previous injuries, surgeries, or ongoing medical conditions
• Current medications and known allergies
• Any history of chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness during exercise

Texas law requires the UIL form to include a cardiac screening awareness question; providers must notify families if the student answers yes. CityDoc providers are familiar with the current UIL form and can walk you through it at the visit. Bring the official UIL form from your school, or ask CityDoc for a copy when you arrive.

The hands-on exam takes 15–20 minutes and focuses specifically on athletic participation. Your child’s provider will check:

• Cardiovascular system — heart rate and rhythm. This is the most critical component of the exam, designed to detect conditions that could cause sudden cardiac arrest during athletic activity
• Blood pressure and pulse
• Height and weight
• Musculoskeletal system — joint strength, range of motion, flexibility, and any prior injury sites
• Vision screening
• Lungs and abdomen

At the end of the visit, the provider completes and signs the UIL form, indicating one of three outcomes: cleared for participation, cleared after additional evaluation, or not cleared. The vast majority of student-athletes are cleared on the spot.

Bring the official UIL form from your school, or download it at uiltexas.org before your visit. FWISD families can find the current form on the FWISD athletics page. If your school uses the Rank One online portal, confirm whether a physical paper form is still required for submission.

Where you get the physical matters as much as the cost — availability, wait time, and same-day clearance all factor in. Here’s how the main options compare:

At a pediatrician, you’re paying for office visit overhead — and more importantly, waiting weeks for an opening that may not line up with your athlete’s deadline. CityDoc’s self-pay rate is flat-rate and upfront, with no hidden fees.

Insurance note: sports physicals are often classified as preventive services. Some insurance plans cover them; others don’t. Call your insurer to confirm before your visit — and know that CityDoc’s self-pay rate keeps the cost low regardless.

Primary care physician or pediatrician: Familiar with your child’s health history, but appointment slots typically book 2–4 weeks out — a real problem when tryouts are a week away. Not a realistic option during the July-August back-to-school rush.

School-based clinic events: Some Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD schools host physical days with reduced or no-cost exams. These are great options when available, but dates are fixed — miss the event and you’re on your own.

Big-box retail clinics: Available at some CVS and Walgreens locations, but hours are often limited on evenings and weekends, and wait times spike during peak season.

CityDoc Urgent Care: Walk in any day of the week — no appointment needed — at any of our four DFW locations. Get your athlete cleared the same day.

When the deadline is approaching and you can’t wait two weeks for an appointment, CityDoc delivers.

• No appointment required — walk in any day, including weekends
• Online check-in — reserve your spot from home and arrive when you’re ready
• Same-day clearance — your provider signs the UIL form before you leave
• Board-certified providers at all four DFW locations
• Open 7 days a week with extended evening hours

Our four DFW locations:

• Uptown Dallas
• Preston/Royal
• Inwood Village
• Fort Worth