NYS Physical Education Requirements

General Questions

1. Can school districts eliminate or reduce the day/time requirement for physical education?

No. Education Law 803 requires instruction in physical education and instructs the Board of Regents to adopt rules on how this must be achieved. Commissioner's Regulation 135 ( 65.0 KB) are those rules. School districts are required by Education Law and Commissioner's regulations to implement a physical education program that meets or exceeds the specified instructional requirements.

2. What are the New York State requirements for physical education?

All students in K-12 must attend and participate in a physical education program.

All pupils in grades K-3 shall attend and participate in physical education on a daily basis.

All pupils in grades 4-6 shall attend and participate in physical education not less than three times per week.

All pupils in grades 7-12 shall attend and participate in physical education for not less than three times per week in one semester, and not less than two times per week in the other semester.

3. What is the time requirement for physical education per calendar week?

120 minutes per calendar week exclusive of any time that may be required for dressing and showering.

4. Are there any waivers or exemptions for physical education?

No. All pupils shall attend and participate. Individual medical certificates of limitations must indicate the area of the program in which the pupil may participate.

School district plans must indicate steps to be taken to insure that each pupil meets the requirement for participation in their physical education program.

5. Must students earn high school credit in physical education?

Yes. Students entering grade 9 until graduation must earn the equivalent of two units of credit in physical education to be eligible to receive a diploma.

¼ credits are earned per semester for a total of eight semesters (grades 9-12). This accumulates to 2 units of credit necessary to receive a diploma.

A student who completes all diploma requirements in fewer than eight semesters, is not required to continue enrollment in high school for the sole purpose of meeting the physical education requirements.

6. May a student double up, or accelerate in physical education?

No. A student may take extra physical education classes as electives but must continue to attend and participate in physical education for eight semesters or until the student meets all other requirements for graduation.