MCPS Form SR-8 is the pre-participation physical evaluation that every Montgomery County Public Schools student-athlete must complete before trying out, practicing, or competing in an interscholastic sport. You and your child fill out the medical history pages at home, a healthcare provider completes the exam and signs off on eligibility, and only one page of the five-page form gets turned in to the school.1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
Who Needs the Form and How Often
Any student trying out for an MCPS interscholastic sport needs a current SR-8 on file. High school students in grades 9 through 12 need a new physical every year. Middle school students in grades 7 and 8 need one every two years.1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics A high school physical from last spring will not cover the following fall season. No student may attend a practice, tryout, or game without a valid physical on record.
What You Fill Out, What the Doctor Fills Out
The form runs five pages, and each page has a different owner. Knowing the split keeps the appointment short.
Pages 1 and 2: Medical History (You)
Complete these pages before the visit. You will provide basic identification along with the sport or sports your child plans to play, then work through:1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
- Past and current medical conditions and any surgeries.
- Every prescription, over-the-counter medication, and nutritional or herbal supplement your child takes.
- Allergies to medications, foods, pollen, stinging insects, or anything else.
- Yes-or-no questionnaires on general health, personal and family heart health, and bone and joint issues. Any “yes” answer needs a written explanation at the end of the form.
- A short mental health screening (the PHQ-4) covering the past two weeks.
If your child is under 18, a parent or guardian must help complete and sign the history form. Students 18 and older sign for themselves. Take the time to be specific — vague answers can push clearance back if the provider has to follow up.
Page 3: The Physical Exam (Doctor)
The healthcare provider handles this page during the appointment. It covers vital signs, vision, heart and lung sounds, joint and muscle assessment, and anything else relevant to safe participation. You do not write anything on it.
Page 4: Athletes With Disabilities Supplement
This page applies only to student-athletes whose disabilities might affect participation. If it does not apply, the provider leaves it blank or notes that it is not needed.
Page 5: Medical Eligibility (Doctor, and This Is the One You Submit)
After the exam, the provider checks one of five clearance options:2Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
- Medically eligible for all sports without restriction.
- Medically eligible for all sports without restriction, with recommendations for further evaluation or treatment of a specific condition.
- Medically eligible for certain sports only, which the provider lists.
- Not medically eligible pending further evaluation.
- Not medically eligible for any sports.
The provider also lists your child’s allergies and current medications on this page so coaches and school health staff have the information in an emergency. Only an MD, DO, NP, or PA can sign the form.1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
What You Submit and Where
Keep pages 1 through 4 at home. Turn in page 5, the Medical Eligibility Form, to your child’s coach or the school’s athletic coordinator.1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics MCPS also requires a parent or guardian to complete the online athletic registration through the ParentVue portal, and you can upload page 5 as part of that process.3Montgomery County Public Schools. Athletics Registration FAQs Both pieces — the physical form and the ParentVue registration — must be done before your child can attend any practice or tryout.4Montgomery County Public Schools. Online Registration Forms
When to Have It Done By
ParentVue registration opens at noon on set dates for each season, and tryouts follow quickly. Schedule the physical early enough that page 5 is in your hand before the window opens.4Montgomery County Public Schools. Online Registration Forms
High school registration dates for 2026–27:
- Fall: July 13, 2026
- Winter: October 12, 2026
- Spring: January 25, 2027
Middle school registration dates for 2026–27:
- Fall: August 10, 2026
- Winter: October 26, 2026
- Spring: January 25, 2027
If Your Child Takes Medication or Gets Hurt Mid-Season
The physical form alone is not enough if your child needs medication or treatment at school or at an athletic event. An authorized provider must also complete the matching supplemental form:1Montgomery County Public Schools. Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics
- MCPS Form 525-12: Authorization to Provide Medically Prescribed Treatment.
- MCPS Form 525-13: Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medication.
- MCPS Form 525-14: Emergency Care for Anaphylaxis (epinephrine auto-injector).
For a student who needs a special individualized health procedure, a parent should contact the school principal or school nurse to arrange a plan before the season starts. If your child has a significant injury, illness, or surgery after the physical is submitted, a separate clearance letter from an authorized healthcare provider is required before return to play.
Where to Get the Form
Download Form SR-8 as a PDF from the MCPS website. The form is also available in Spanish and French.5Montgomery County Public Schools. MCPS Form SR-8 – Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation for Athletics Print all five pages and bring them to the appointment so the provider can review the history you completed and fill in the exam and eligibility sections during the visit. For questions about registration itself, contact your school’s athletic director or athletic coordinator.