Back-to-school season means practices, tryouts, and games are just around the corner. If your child plans to participate in school sports, chances are they’ll need a sports physical before the season begins. Completing it early can help you avoid last-minute scheduling and make sure your child is ready for the first day of practice.
Mercy Urgent Care offers walk-in sports physicals at all eight Western North Carolina locations for $25, with FREE sports physicals throughout August at our new Boone location. Here’s what parents should know before heading in.
At a Glance
Appointments Required?
No. Walk-ins are always welcome, and if you’d like to save your place in line, you can reserve your spot online. We’re open seven days a week.
How Long Does It Take?
Most visits take about 20 to 30 minutes.
Cost
$25 at all Mercy Urgent Care locations. FREE throughout August at our Boone location.
What Should You Bring?
Your school’s athletic forms (completed by the parent or guardian before your visit, including all required signatures and questionnaires), a list of medications, glasses or contacts (if worn), and a parent or guardian if required.
Need the Form? Download the North Carolina Sports Physical Form (PDF).
Please complete all parent or guardian sections of your child’s sports physical form before arriving, including the questionnaires and required signatures. This helps reduce wait times and keeps your appointment running smoothly.
Why Do Schools Require Sports Physicals?
Most schools require a sports physical before a student can participate in athletics. Also called a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE), the exam helps identify health concerns that could increase the risk of injury or illness during sports and confirms whether a student can safely participate.
A sports physical is different from an annual wellness visit. It focuses specifically on whether a student can safely participate in athletics and does not replace routine preventive care with a primary care provider.
For most student athletes, the visit is routine and ends with medical clearance to play.
When Should My Child Get a Sports Physical?
Don’t wait until the week of tryouts or the first practice. Getting a sports physical a few weeks ahead of time gives you plenty of time to complete paperwork or follow up if your provider recommends additional evaluation.
Scheduling early gives you time to:
- Complete school paperwork before deadlines
- Discuss previous injuries or medical conditions
- Follow up with a specialist if needed
- Avoid the busiest back-to-school rush
July and August are typically the busiest months for sports physicals throughout Western North Carolina, so planning ahead is always a good idea.
What Happens During a Sports Physical?
A sports physical usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
During the exam, your provider may:
- Review your child’s medical history, including previous illnesses, surgeries, injuries, or concussions
- Discuss asthma, allergies, medications, or other ongoing medical conditions
- Review family history, including certain heart conditions
- Check blood pressure, height, and weight
- Listen to the heart and lungs
- Perform a vision check
- Evaluate strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and joint movement
If you or your child has questions about returning to sports after an injury or managing a medical condition during the season, this is a good time to ask.
What Should We Bring?
To help your visit go smoothly, bring:
- Your school’s sports participation forms, with all parent or guardian sections completed
- A list of current medications
- Glasses or contact lenses, if your child wears them
- Information about previous injuries or surgeries
- A parent or guardian, if required by your school or athletic organization
Before you arrive, complete all parent or guardian sections of the form, including the concussion questionnaire and required signatures. Having everything filled out ahead of time helps your provider review your child’s history and keeps your visit moving efficiently.
Can Urgent Care Perform Sports Physicals?
Yes. Urgent care is a convenient option for sports physicals, especially during the busy back-to-school season.
Mercy Urgent Care offers walk-in sports physicals at all eight locations. If your child is medically cleared, our providers can complete the required school or athletic participation forms during the visit.
What If My Child Has Asthma, Allergies, or a Previous Injury?
Conditions like asthma, allergies, diabetes, or previous injuries do not automatically prevent a child from participating in sports.
During the physical, your provider will review your child’s medical history, answer your questions, and determine whether any additional evaluation or recommendations are needed before the season begins. If follow-up care is recommended, your provider will explain the next steps before your child returns to play.
Why Choose Mercy for a Sports Physical?
Families choose Mercy because sports physicals are quick, affordable, and convenient.
Mercy Urgent Care offers:
- Walk-in sports physicals with no appointment required
- Experienced providers familiar with school athletic requirements
- Completion of required participation forms during your visit
- Eight convenient locations across Western North Carolina
- Availability seven days a week
As Western North Carolina’s only independent, nonprofit urgent care network, we’re proud to support local students, families, schools, and communities with accessible healthcare close to home.
Boone Families: Free Sports Physicals Throughout August
Mercy Urgent Care is proud to serve the High Country from our new Boone location.
As a welcome to the community, we’re offering FREE sports physicals for student athletes throughout the month of August. Sports physicals are regularly $25 at our other Mercy locations, making this a simple way for local families to check one more item off their back-to-school list while getting to know our newest center.
August is one of the busiest times of year for sports physicals, so families are encouraged to visit early if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sports physical cost?
Sports physicals are $25 at all Mercy Urgent Care locations. During August, sports physicals are FREE at Mercy Urgent Care’s new Boone location.
Can Mercy complete my school’s athletic forms?
Yes. Please complete all parent or guardian sections, including the concussion questionnaire and required signatures, before your visit. If your child is medically cleared, your Mercy provider will complete the medical portion of the form during the appointment.
What happens if my child needs additional evaluation?
If your provider identifies a concern that requires additional evaluation, they’ll explain the findings, discuss the next steps, and answer any questions before your child returns to sports.
Get Ready for the Season
Completing your child’s sports physical before the season begins can help avoid last-minute stress and make sure they’re ready for practices and games.
Whether your child is preparing for middle school athletics, high school competition, or a recreational league, Mercy Urgent Care is here to help them start the season healthy, confident, and ready to play.
