Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)
The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FITNESSGRAM®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity.
Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The FITNESSGRAM® has six parts, though California currently requires five parts be completed annually, that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents.
- For more information about the PFT, contact your local school district.
- The PFT - CalEdFacts page provides a more detailed overview of the test.
- The information below was developed to provide assistance to various groups that are directly involved with, or have an interest in, the PFT.
PFT Legislative Report
In September 2020, Senate Bill 820 (Chapter 110, Statutes of 2020) Section 68, required the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) to submit a report with recommendations regarding the purpose and administration of the physical performance test as indicated. The report with recommendations for the purpose and administration of the California Physical Performance Test also includes the California Physical Fitness Test Research Study with recommendations from the expert panel.
You can find the full report to the Legislature, the Department of Finance, and the State Board of Education Physical Performance Test on the Legislative Reports web page.
PFT Administration
The 2024–25 physical fitness test (PFT) is to be administered between February 1 and May 31, 2025, in accordance with the 2021–22 changes noted below.
Administration and data reporting requirements of the PFT:
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Administration
- Body Composition component is no longer required
- The reporting of student performance using the Healthy Fitness Zones are not required
- Reporting
- Schools are not required to collect or use height and weight, including body mass index, for data reporting
- Schools are not required to collect or use gender for data reporting
- Schools are not required to collect or use age for data reporting
- Student participation (by component, by grade) shall be reported in the Local Education Agency’s (LEA) annual School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
Additional Resources
PFT Resources for Test Administrators
Information Sharing with Parents
Statute and Regulations
California Education Code Section 60800
State law governing PFT administration.
California Code of Regulations, Title 5 sections 1040–1046