Who can perform an annual physical exam? Understanding your options

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can improve long-term health outcomes by catching potential problems early. Knowing who can perform an annual physical exam is the first step toward proactive health management.

Quick Summary

Qualified healthcare professionals who can perform your yearly physical include family medicine and internal medicine physicians, along with advanced practice clinicians like nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These primary care providers conduct comprehensive exams to assess and maintain your overall wellness.

Key Points

Variety of Providers: Annual physicals can be performed by multiple types of primary care providers, including family doctors, internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Physician Specialists: For adults, an internal medicine physician or family medicine doctor is an appropriate choice. For children, a pediatrician is the specialist to see.
Advanced Practice Clinicians: Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are highly trained, qualified, and can often serve as your primary care provider for annual exams.
Consistency is Key: Having a long-term relationship with a primary care provider, regardless of their specific title, ensures better health outcomes by establishing a baseline for your wellness.
Comprehensive Exam: A physical exam includes much more than vital signs; it typically involves a review of your medical history, a head-to-toe physical assessment, and preventive screenings tailored to your age and risk factors.

Primary Care Providers are the Key

Your annual physical exam is a cornerstone of preventive healthcare. The most common and recommended professionals to perform this important assessment are Primary Care Providers (PCPs). A PCP is a healthcare practitioner who oversees your general health, manages chronic illnesses, and coordinates specialist care when needed. The umbrella of PCPs includes a variety of qualified and licensed individuals, each with unique training and approaches.

Physicians (M.D. or D.O.)

When most people think of a doctor, they picture a physician. In the context of an annual physical, this can refer to several types of physicians:

Family Medicine Physicians: These doctors are trained to provide care for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. A family medicine physician can serve as the PCP for every member of your family, offering continuity of care as you all grow and age. Their broad training covers a wide spectrum of health issues, making them an excellent choice for general wellness checks.
Internal Medicine Physicians: Specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in adults, internists are the go-to for patients over 18. Their expertise lies in managing complex chronic illnesses and providing comprehensive care for a wide variety of adult health conditions.
Pediatricians: For children from infancy through adolescence, pediatricians are the specialists who conduct annual physicals. Their training focuses on the specific health needs and developmental milestones of younger patients.

Advanced Practice Clinicians: Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

In recent decades, the role of Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) has grown, and they are now an integral part of most primary care teams. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly trained professionals who can perform many of the same tasks as a physician, including annual physicals, and often work collaboratively with a physician.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs): NPs are registered nurses who have obtained a master's or doctoral degree and advanced clinical training. They focus on a holistic approach to patient care, emphasizing health maintenance, patient education, and disease prevention. An NP can serve as your primary care provider, diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medication.
Physician Assistants (PAs): PAs are medical professionals who also hold a master's degree or higher. Their training follows the medical model, and they work under the license of a supervising physician. PAs are versatile and can practice in many medical settings, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, and prescribing medication.

A Deeper Look into the Annual Physical Exam

Regardless of the provider type, a comprehensive annual physical typically follows a standard structure designed to evaluate your overall health. The process begins with a medical history review, including any changes in your health since your last visit, current medications, allergies, and family history. This is followed by a series of measurements and screenings.

What the Exam Covers

Vital Signs: Your provider or a medical assistant will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. This provides a baseline and helps track changes over time.
Physical Examination: A hands-on assessment is a key part of the visit. This includes:
- Head and Neck: Examining your ears, nose, throat, and lymph nodes.
- Heart and Lungs: Using a stethoscope to listen for any abnormalities.
- Abdomen: Palpating the abdomen to check for tenderness or swelling.
- Musculoskeletal: Assessing your joints, posture, and strength.
- Skin: Checking for any unusual moles or rashes.
Preventive Screenings: Based on your age, gender, and risk factors, your provider may recommend or order additional tests. These can include blood tests for cholesterol and diabetes, mammograms, Pap smears, or colon cancer screenings.
Health Counseling: This is an opportunity to discuss lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and stress, and for your provider to offer guidance on maintaining or improving your health.

Choosing Your Primary Care Provider

Selecting the right PCP is a personal decision based on your individual needs and preferences. While the types of providers listed above are all qualified to perform an annual physical, the choice often comes down to the practice's availability and your comfort level with a particular professional. Many practices today operate with a team-based approach, where you may see a physician, NP, or PA, all of whom share access to your medical records to ensure consistent, high-quality care. This collaboration ensures you receive comprehensive care, with each team member leveraging their specific expertise. Consistency is key; establishing a long-term relationship with a single provider or practice allows them to gain a deep understanding of your health history, making it easier to notice subtle changes over time. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers resources to help you find a qualified provider in your area, highlighting the importance of having a medical home for your care needs.

Comparing Primary Care Providers


Feature	Family Medicine Physician	Internal Medicine Physician	Nurse Practitioner (NP)	Physician Assistant (PA)
Age Range	All ages	Adults (18+)	All ages (depending on specialty)	All ages (collaborative)
Training Model	Medical school, residency	Medical school, residency	Advanced nursing degree	Medical model, master's degree
Prescribing Privileges	Full	Full	Varies by state	Varies by state
Scope of Practice	Broad, preventative, chronic care	Adult-focused, complex cases	Holistic care, prevention	General medicine, collaborative
Approach to Care	Comprehensive, family-focused	Deep medical knowledge for adults	Patient-education, wellness	Team-based, disease management

Conclusion

Ultimately, several types of qualified primary care professionals can perform an annual physical exam, all contributing to your preventive health. The most important action is not who you see, but that you see someone consistently. Establishing and maintaining a relationship with a trusted primary care provider—whether a family physician, internist, NP, or PA—is your most effective tool for staying healthy and catching potential issues before they become serious. Regular check-ups allow for early disease detection, updated vaccinations, and important health counseling. Don’t delay your health; schedule your annual physical today.

For more information on the importance of regular health check-ups, consult reliable medical resources like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most insurance plans, including those under the Affordable Care Act, cover one annual preventive physical exam at no cost to the patient. However, if you discuss a new or chronic issue during the visit, your provider may need to bill it separately, which could incur a copay. It's always best to check with your insurance company beforehand.

While both are highly qualified to perform a physical exam, their training differs. Physicians attend medical school, while nurse practitioners pursue advanced nursing degrees. The exam itself will be thorough and comprehensive regardless of which professional performs it, as both follow established clinical guidelines.

Yes, a physician assistant can act as your primary care provider. They are trained and licensed medical professionals who can conduct exams, diagnose illnesses, order tests, and prescribe medication, all in collaboration with a supervising physician.

To make the most of your visit, bring an updated list of your medications and supplements, any specific health concerns or symptoms you've noticed, your family health history, and any recent test results you may have from other providers.

For most healthy adults, an annual physical is recommended. Some younger, low-risk individuals may need a check-up less frequently, but annual visits are vital for establishing a health baseline and for preventive screenings.

No, they are different. A standard annual physical is a comprehensive, hands-on exam, while the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is focused on creating a personalized prevention plan. The wellness visit generally does not involve a full physical exam. Many providers offer both, and some patients may need both types of appointments.

Yes. Many chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, do not have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. A physical exam and associated lab tests can detect these issues early, when they are much easier to treat and manage.