Sports Physical Information

PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation

In 2009 the PIAA introduced the Comprehensive Initial Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE) which changed the guidelines for interscholastic sport physicals. Listed below are the “EPSD Sports Physical Guidelines” adopted in April 2011 by the EPSD Sports Medicine Department.

  1. All student-athletes of the EPSD must have at least one (1) physical during the current academic year in order to be cleared for participation.
  2. The CIPPE will be distributed at each sport’s pre-season meeting, but is also available on eastpennsd.org/athletics/forms as well as in the Athletic Office.
  3. The CIPPE may not be performed earlier than June 1st and shall be in effect, regardless of when performed, until May 31st.
  4. First time participants have the option of attending the free school physical held prior to each sport season, or using their family doctor. Regardless of their preference, a completed PIAA CIPPE must be in the possession of the Athletic Office prior to the 1st official day of practice. Failure to do so will result in the student being listed as “ineligible to participate”, thereby restricting him/her from any athletic activity until this requirement is fulfilled.
  5. In situations where the CIPPE is dated more than six (6) weeks prior to the 1st official day of practice, the student must also include a completed PIAA CIPPE Re-certification Form.
  6. Students playing two (2) or more sports during the same academic year are required to complete a PIAA CIPPE Re-certification Form prior to the start of each additional sport.
  7. Students requesting re-certification need not attend the free physical unless he/she checks “YES” to any question pertaining to their medical history.
  8. All CIPPE’s must be personally returned to the EHS Athletic Office prior to the 1st official day of practice. Forms mailed, faxed, given to a school secretary, coach or athletic trainer are not valid and will be returned to the student.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Re-certification

  1. Who needs recertification? Athletes are required to have one (1) sport physical per academic year. If the physical is performed more than six (6) weeks prior to the 1st official day of practice, a PIAA CIPPE Recertification form must be completed. In addition, if an athlete is competing in his/her second or third sport during the same academic year, they too need to complete the recertification form.
  2. Where can we find the recertification form? PIAA CIPPE Recertification forms are available in the EHS Athletic Office, our website at eastpennsd.org/highschool/athletics/forms, or from individual sport coaches at their pre-season meeting.
  3. What does the form look like? Recertification forms are a single sheet of paper representing Sections 5 and Section 6 of the PIAA CIPPE. Section 5: Recertification by Parent/Guardian must be completed by the student’s parent/guardian. Included in this section is a “Supplemental Health History” with six (6) questions.
  4. What is the next step? If all six (6) questions are answered “NO”, the form is signed and dated by the parent/guardian and returned to the Athletic Office. A doctor’s signature is NOT needed.
  5. What happens if a question is answered “YES”? If any of the six (6) questions are answered “YES”, the student must submit a completed Section 6: Recertification by Licensed Physician of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine to the Athletic Office before being eligible for athletic participation. Section 6 may be completed by a personal physician or at the scheduled school physical.
  6. Does Section 6 require a new physical? Section 6 does not require a new physical but must have Section 3 and Section 4 of the original CIPPE attached. The physician completing the recertification is clearing the athlete subsequent to sustaining the noted medical issue. Students needing Sections 5 and 6 may pick them up in the Athletic Office.
  7. May a student begin practice/play without recertification? Under no circumstances is any student permitted to begin competition without the proper medical forms on file in the Athletic Office. Such students will be designated as “ineligible to participate” and will be withheld from any form of competition until this requirement is met.
  8. Where are the forms handed in? All completed recertification forms must be personally handed in to Athletic Office to insure the proper completion of all sections.
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