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New Form Required Beginning January 1, 2010
Boy Scouts of America recently released a new medical and health history form to replace the former Class 1/2 and Class 3 medical forms. The new form is required for all activities beginning January 1, 2010.
This page has a download link for the new medical, an overview of the form and its components, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
To DOWNLOAD a medical form, click here:
New Medical Form - letter size
(8.5x11 paper)
Please view the National BSA Frequently Asked Questions
web page for information about the new forms
Changes Introduced by the new form
One form for everyone
The new medical form will be used by all members regardless of age or program activity level. The form has three sections (A,B,C). Sections A and C are required at all events. Section B is required for specific events as described on the form. This will reduce confusion from the former system of multiple forms.
Annual physicals
The new medical form will require an annual physical for persons participating in certain activities regardless of age . The previous forms allowed three years between physician examinations for youth.
The new medical form no longer allows attaching another physical exam (ie: sports physical) to the BSA medical form. The physician's signature must be on the BSA form to be valid.
Resources for lower-cost physical exams
Volunteers have provided contact information for medical clinics that offer low-cost camp/sports exams. For the list, click here.
Note: Height/Weight Chart
For certain high-adventure activites, the new form introduces a standard height/weight chart which may restrict participation of individuals. Adherance to the height/weight chart is not required for council summer camps due to their proximity and access to medical care. Very few council events will require adherence to the height/weight chart. Any such events will include such requirement in registration information.
Components of the new form
Page 1: The first page provides instructions and information
Part A: General information. Required for all events.
Part B: Physical Exam. Required for events exceeding 72 hours.
Part C: Parental release and information. Required for all events.
Frequently Asked Questions presented by Cascade Pacific Council:
Q: Will summer camp require the new form this year (2010)?
A: Yes. Summer camps and other council and district activities require the new form beginning January 1, 2010.
Q: Can Jamboree Scouts use their Jamboree medical at summer camp?
A: Yes. The Jamboree medical form is the same form (the only difference is the addition of an individualized barcode for use at Jamboree). Summer camps will accept current Jamboree medical forms.
Q: Can campers use their Philmont, Florida Sea Base, or Northern Tier Canoe Base medical at summer camp?
A: No. These forms are not the same as the BSA medical form, and cannot be used at camp.
Q: Should our Scouts use the new medical form now if they're getting a new physical examination?
A: Yes, use the new form for any new physical examinations.
Tip: Doctors' signatures are valid to the last day of the month one year from the exam. For example, If you complete your record on March 9, 2009, it will be valid through March 31, 2010.
Q: What health-care providers may administer a physical exam for BSA medical forms?
A: The new medical form details physicians (MD, DO), nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants to be the individuals who may perform physical exams for the new health form.
Q: Do we need a doctor's signature for a one-night campout?
A: No. The new form only requires a doctor's signature for events exceeding 72 hours.
Tip: National designed the form so that parts A and C could be photocopied front-to-back so that one sheet of paper is all that is required for short-term activities.
Q: What camps will require a doctor's signature?
A: Cascade Pacific Council camps and programs that exceed 72 hours (thus requiring a doctor's signature) include:
- Adventure Cove
- Baldwin
- Meriwether
- Pioneer
- Polaris
- Sogus
- Horse Trek
Q: Will summer camps use the height/weight chart on the new medical form?
A: No. Summer camps will not require participants to meet the height/weight guidelines. These guidelines are for high-adventure activities; at this time no council activities use this chart.
Q. Can I use another medical exam, such as a school sports exam, and attach it to the Annual Health and Medical Record?
A. No. In an effort to maintain standards of preparedness and fitness for participation, and to make sure that the medical professional conducting the examination knows the various outdoor adventures than can occur in Scouting, the BSA requires completion of Part B, including the physicians' exam signature on the actual form.
Q: Should we send the medical form to the council office?
A: No. The council does not keep copies of medical forms. When attending district or council events, please bring the forms with you, but do NOT mail to the council office.
Tip: When attending council and district activities, take along a copy, rather than the original.
Q: The form is provided as a fillable-PDF. Can we submit the form electronically?
A: For privacy reasons, do not transmit medical forms electronically. The form is provided as a fillable-PDF to ease completion and to increase legibility when printing.
The electronic version of the Annual Health and Medical Record is intended to be filled out and saved by individual Scouts and Scouters. The electronic Annual Health and Medical Record should not be transmitted via e-mail or stored by units, districts, or councils. Units are encouraged to keep paper copies of their participants' Annual Health and Medical Records in a confidential medical file for quick access in an emergency and to be prepared for all adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions presented by National BSA:
This form change is being implemented by the National Organization of Boy Scouts of America. Please view the National BSA Frequently Asked Questions page.
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