California Physical Fitness Test
California’s Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is an annual, in-person assessment designed to help students understand health-related fitness and develop habits that support lifelong physical activity.
Who takes the test—and when?
California Education Code Section 60800 requires public local educational agencies to administer the PFT every year to all students in grades 5, 7, and 9. This includes students in school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, continuation schools, independent study, community day schools, and other alternative public-school programs.
Schools select testing dates within the state administration window of February 1 through May 31. Students take the assessment even when they are not currently enrolled in a physical education class or attend school on a block schedule.
What students are asked to do
California uses the FITNESSGRAM® for the PFT. Students participate in five fitness areas. When an area offers multiple activities, the teacher or student may select the option that will be counted; only one option is reported for that fitness area.
Aerobic capacity
Students complete one activity that measures sustained cardiovascular effort:
- 20-meter PACER: Run back and forth between two lines while keeping pace with progressively faster audio signals.
- One-mile run: Complete one mile as quickly and safely as possible.
- One-mile walk: Walk one mile while the test administrator records the information required by the test protocol.
Abdominal strength and endurance
Curl-up: Complete controlled curl-ups to a set cadence while maintaining the required form. This activity evaluates abdominal strength and endurance.
Trunk strength and flexibility
Trunk lift: While lying face down, slowly lift the upper body using the muscles of the back while keeping the movement controlled. The lift is measured according to the test protocol.
Upper-body strength and endurance
Students complete one of the following activities using the prescribed form:
- Push-up
- Modified pull-up
- Flexed-arm hang
Flexibility
Students complete one of two flexibility activities:
- Back-saver sit and reach: Reach forward toward one foot at a time while following the required seated position.
- Shoulder stretch: Reach one hand over the shoulder and the other behind the back to determine whether the fingertips meet.
What is no longer required?
California currently requires five FITNESSGRAM fitness areas. The Body Composition component is no longer required. Schools are not required to collect or use a student’s height, weight, body mass index, gender, or age for state PFT data reporting, and reporting performance through Healthy Fitness Zones is not required.
Can a parent or student opt out?
There is no general parental opt-out
The parental opt-out provision that applies to some California academic assessments does not apply to the Physical Fitness Test. Most students may not be excused simply because a student or parent prefers not to participate.
Limited exceptions may apply when a student has a medical excuse, physical limitation, disability, or another condition that prevents participation in part or all of the assessment. Parents should contact the school before testing if their child has a health or disability-related concern and provide any documentation required by the school or district.
Students with disabilities or physical limitations
Students who cannot complete the entire PFT should participate in as much of the assessment as their condition permits. For a student with an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, the appropriate team determines how the student will participate and which accommodations or modifications are appropriate.
Families should communicate with the student’s school, medical provider when appropriate, and IEP or Section 504 team before the testing window so that safe and appropriate participation can be planned.
Current resources
Families and educators
Review current testing requirements, administration information, reporting changes, and parent resources from the California Department of Education.
CDE Physical Fitness TestingDetailed questions
Consult the CDE’s current answers concerning participation, testing options, accommodations, results, data reporting, and exemptions.
Read the PFT FAQActivities and demonstrations
View official administration modules and demonstration videos for the available FITNESSGRAM activities.
View PFT training resourcesState law
Read California Education Code Section 60800, which establishes the state’s physical performance testing requirement.
Read Education Code 60800Questions about an individual student? Contact the student’s school or local educational agency. Local staff can explain testing dates, available activity options, safety procedures, and the documentation needed when a medical condition or disability affects participation.