How many states have mandatory physical education?

Answer 1

Each state determines how many hours of physical education are required. See the list below for specific states and their requirements:

State Physical Education Requirements

Alabama

Grades K-8 are required to take 30 minutes minimum per day; in high school, one year or two semesters are required.

Alaska

High schools require one unit of health and/or P.E. for graduation. Other levels are determined by local school districts.

Arizona

P.E. is required by the state in grades 1-8. High school requirements are decided by local school districts.

Arkansas

P.E. is mandated K-12. The amount of time required varies by grade level.

California

P.E. is required by the state for all levels. Time required varies by grade level. One hundred percent of schools provide P.E. at all levels.

Colorado

Only local school districts can impose requirements. There are no statistics available for time requirements. Only 20% of high schools might have P.E.

Connecticut

P.E. is mandated in every school curriculum. One hundred percent of schools provide P.E. at all levels. Time requirements vary by grade level.

Delaware

No mandated P.E. in grades K-6. However, most schools provide 30-60 minutes per week. P.E. is mandated in grades 7-8.

District of Columbia

Ninety-five percent of lower grades have a P.E. program. Middle and high school levels are required to have a P.E. program.

Florida

No P.E. requirements for grades K-8. Two semesters is mandated for the high school level.

Georgia

Grades K-6 have 90 hours required. Grades 7-8 might have available classes but they are not mandatory. In high school, two classes are required and are usually done in 9th grade.

Hawaii

Grades K-6 are expected to participate in P.E. Grades 7-12 must participate one year or two semesters.

Idaho

Physical education is required for grades 1-8. High schools are not required to offer physical education.

Illinois

The state requires daily physical education grades K-12.

Indiana

P.E. is mandated at all levels as part of a larger program. Two semesters are required to graduate from high school.

Iowa

P.E. is mandated for all grade levels. Time requirements vary by grade level.

Kansas

P.E. is mandated by the state for grades K-6 and 9-12 but not 7-8.

Kentucky

P.E. is mandated for all grade levels. Time requirements vary by grade level.

Louisiana

P.E. is mandated for all grade levels. Grades 9-12 must pass 270 hours of P.E. and 90 hours of health to graduate.

Maine

Grades K-6 and 9-12 have specific requirements. Grades 7-8 requirements are determined by local school districts.

Maryland

P.E. is required by the state for all levels. Each local school district provides a program.

Massachusetts

P.E. is required by the state for all levels. Each local school district provides a program.

Michigan

P.E. is required by the state for all levels. Each local school district provides a program.

Minnesota

State standards mandate P.E. for all levels but no times or specific grades are mentioned.

Mississippi

Grades K-8 have mandated P.E. It is not mandatory for high schools.

Missouri

All levels have required P.E. It must be passed in high school to graduate.

Montana

Grades K-6 have daily P.E. requirements. Grades 7-8 have one semester per year required. Two semesters are required for grades 9-12.

Nebraska

Only local school districts can impose requirements. No statewide standards or fitness testing.

Nevada

P.E. is only required for high school. No statewide standards or fitness testing.

New Hampshire

All schools offer P.E. and local school boards determine time requirements.

New Jersey

Grades 1-12 must have 150 minutes of health, P.E. and safety per week.

New Mexico

For grades K-6, students must meet standards from the state. One year of P.E. is required for 7th grade. For grades 9-12, one year is required during the four.

New York

At all levels, 120 minutes per week every semester is required.

North Carolina

P.E. is required by grades K-8 but they have no specific time requirements. One semester is required for grades 9-12.

North Dakota

P.E. is mandated for all grade levels. Time requirements vary by grade level.

Ohio

Schools are required to teach P.E. as part of a total school program. Local districts decide specific minutes per day or week that are required.

Oklahoma

School districts decide how to meet state P.E. standards.

Oregon

P.E. is required for all grade levels. One year of 130 hours is required for graduation from high school.

Pennsylvania

P.E. is mandated for all grade levels. Time requirements vary by grade level.

Rhode Island

The state requires 100 minutes of health and P.E. every year at all levels.

South Carolina

P.E. is required for all levels, but no specific minutes per week are required for grades K-8. Grades 9-12 must complete one semester of personal fitness and one semester of lifetime fitness.

South Dakota

There are no statewide requirements. Local school districts determine requirements.

Tennessee

P.E. is required for grades K-8. Grades 9-12 can take P.E. as an elective.

Texas

The state requires that P.E. be offered to all students. Local school districts decide for grades K-8. Specific requirements are set for grades 9-12.

Utah

P.E. is required for all levels but times vary. Some P.E. is required to graduate from high school.

Vermont

Grades K-8 have P.E. every year, twice a week. Grades 9-12 must have three semesters. One hundred percent of the schools at all levels offer P.E.

Virginia

For Grades K-7, the states requires P.E. is provided. Grade 8 is one of four electives. Grades 9-12, two units of health and P.E. are required to graduate.

Washington

Grades K-8 are required to conduct P.E. classes for at least 100 minutes per week each year. High schools must offer physical education for all four years.

West Virginia

For grades K-8, P.E. is required every year. Grades 9-12 must complete one class.

Wisconsin

Grades K-6 must meet three times a week. Grades 7-8 meet a minimum of once a week. High schools require 1.5 credits for graduation.

Wyoming

Each local school district sets specific requirements. One hundred percent of all schools at all levels offer P.E.

Information from the

National Association for Sport and Physical Education