Need a sports physical in Covington, LA before the 2026 season starts? Total Health Urgent Care does school and sports physicals free for student athletes, seven days a week from 7am to 7pm, with no appointment needed. Walk in at 73015 Hwy 25, get the LHSAA form filled out and signed the same visit, and your athlete is cleared to practice.
Quick facts for Northshore families
- Cost at Total Health: FREE for student athletes (many clinics charge $40 to $75)
- Hours: open 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm, walk-ins welcome
- Who can sign in Louisiana: an MD, DO, APRN, or PA
- How long it lasts: a Louisiana physical is good for 13 months from the date it is signed
- Best time to come: by late July, before St. Tammany Parish schools start August 6 to 8, 2026
- Where: 73015 Hwy 25, Suite A, Covington, LA 70435, serving Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Folsom
Where can I get a free sports physical in Covington, LA?
You can get a free sports physical at Total Health Urgent Care, the walk-in clinic on Hwy 25 in Covington. We provide school and sports physicals at no cost for student athletes, every day of the week from 7am to 7pm. There’s no appointment and no scheduling hoops. Walk in, and our team handles the exam and the paperwork in one visit so your son or daughter can get on the field.
That free price is the part that surprises most Northshore parents. A self-pay sports physical usually runs $40 to $75 around the country, and it often isn’t covered by insurance because it’s considered a screening rather than a sick visit. For a family with two or three athletes, that adds up fast. We took the cost off the table for local student athletes in Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Folsom. You can see the rest of our transparent pricing anytime.
What is a sports physical and what does the provider check?
A sports physical, also called a preparticipation physical evaluation, is a focused exam that makes sure a young athlete is healthy enough to play safely. The provider reviews a health history and then checks the systems most likely to cause a problem during sports.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the main goal is to catch conditions that could raise the risk of a sudden cardiac event or a serious injury. A typical visit covers:
- Health and family history, including any fainting, chest pain, or breathing trouble during exercise
- Heart and lung check
- Blood pressure, height, weight, and vital signs
- Vision screening
- A musculoskeletal look at joints, flexibility, and old injuries
The AAP suggests folding the sports physical into a regular well-child visit when you can, since that yearly checkup looks at the whole picture, including immunizations and growth. A sports physical clears your athlete to play. It does not take the place of ongoing primary care, so keep up with your child’s regular doctor too.
Can an urgent care do my child’s school physical?
Yes. An urgent care clinic can do a school or sports physical, and at our Covington clinic it’s one of the most popular reasons families walk in during the summer. We complete the exam, fill out the school or league form, and sign it, all in the same visit. See our full list of services to learn what else we handle on a walk-in basis.
Louisiana sets clear rules on who is allowed to sign. The official LHSAA Medical History Evaluation form states the physical must be performed and signed by an MD, DO, APRN, or PA. Total Health was founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, so a qualified provider can complete and sign your athlete’s form on the spot. You can review the current state form on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association website before you come in.
How long is a sports physical good for in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, a sports physical is valid for 13 months from the date it is signed and dated by the provider. That’s straight from the LHSAA Medical History Evaluation form. Schools require a current physical on file every year, so most families get a new one each summer before the season.
The 13-month window gives you a little breathing room. If your athlete had a physical signed in July 2025, it carries into August 2026, but it’s smart to refresh it before the new school year so it doesn’t lapse mid-season. Keep a copy for your records and turn the original in to your school’s athletic office.
When should I get my child’s physical before the 2026 school year?
Aim to have your athlete’s physical done by late July 2026. St. Tammany Parish public schools begin the 2026 to 2027 year the week of August 6, with all students in class by August 8, and many fall sports start preseason practice even earlier. Getting the physical done in late June or July keeps you ahead of the August rush.
There’s a health reason to go early too. The CDC reports that heat illness among high school athletes peaks in August, and it’s most common in football. Athletes need about 10 to 14 days to acclimatize to the heat, so an early physical means your child can start that gradual conditioning on time instead of scrambling the week before practice. Louisiana Augusts are no joke, and a cleared, well-prepared athlete is a safer one.
What should I bring to a sports physical?
Bring the paperwork your school or league requires, plus a few details about your athlete’s health history. Having these ready makes the visit quick:
- The school or league physical form (the LHSAA form for high school athletes)
- The health history section filled out ahead of time, ideally with a parent’s input
- A photo ID or insurance card if you have one
- A list of any current medications
- Glasses or contacts, if your child wears them
- Immunization records, if your school asks for them
- Notes on any past injuries, surgeries, allergies, or asthma
If you’re not sure what your specific school needs, our team can help when you arrive. You can also print and start the health history portion from our patient forms page to save time at the clinic.
Why Northshore families choose Total Health for physicals
Plenty of places do physicals, so what makes a good one for a busy family? A few things matter: cost, convenience, and a provider who actually has time for your kid. Total Health Urgent Care checks each box for Covington-area families.
- It’s free for student athletes, year-round, not a limited-time promo
- We’re open 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm, so you can come evenings or weekends around practice and work
- Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment needed
- We see all ages, so siblings can be done in one trip
- On-site lab and X-ray mean if something needs a closer look, we can handle it the same day
We’re right on Hwy 25 in Covington, an easy drive from Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Folsom. For a busy parent juggling work and a packed sports calendar, that 7-day walk-in access is the difference between getting it done and putting it off.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sports physical really free at Total Health Urgent Care?
Yes. School and sports physicals are free for student athletes at our Covington walk-in clinic. There’s no appointment required, and we complete and sign the form during the same visit.
Do I need an appointment for a sports physical in Covington?
No. Total Health is a walk-in clinic open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm. Just come in with your form and history, and our team takes care of the rest.
Can a nurse practitioner sign my child’s Louisiana sports physical?
Yes. The LHSAA form allows an MD, DO, APRN, or PA to perform and sign the physical. Total Health was founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, so a qualified provider can sign on site.
How long does a sports physical take?
Most sports physicals are quick, often well under an hour when you bring your completed form and health history. As a walk-in clinic, wait times vary with how busy we are, so mornings tend to move fast.
What’s the difference between a sports physical and a regular checkup?
A sports physical focuses on whether your child can safely play sports, checking the heart, lungs, joints, and history. A regular well-child checkup is broader and covers overall health, growth, and immunizations. The AAP recommends keeping up with both.
What if my school uses its own physical form?
Bring whatever form your school or league requires. Our provider can complete and sign most standard school and athletic physical forms during your visit.
Ready when you are
Beat the August rush and get your athlete cleared early. Walk in to Total Health Urgent Care at 73015 Hwy 25, Suite A, Covington, LA 70435, any day of the week from 7am to 7pm, or call us at (985) 400-5370 with questions. We’re proud to keep Northshore student athletes healthy and on the field.
For a medical emergency, always call 911.
This guide was prepared by the Total Health Urgent Care team. Total Health Urgent Care was founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C.
