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participating in 
interscholastic 
athletics, on 
a drill team, 
in a marching 
band, in a dance 
group, or on 
a cheerleading 
squad if school 
sponsored and 
if the student 
participates for 
at least 120 
hours.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Codes 389.283, 
389.2946, 
389.386, and 
389.485 also 
include student 
performance 
standards 
for physical 
education for 
grades 2, 3, 5, 8, 
and 12. 
The state 
Department 
of Education’s 
website offers 
documents 
that summarize 
the Physical 
Education 
Content 
Standards 
(2000). 
Schools are 
not required to 
follow a specific 
curriculum.
No state 
policy.
Bachelor’s 
degree and the 
completion of 12 
semester hours 
of physical 
education. 
For prospective 
secondary 
physical 
education 
candidates, 
the minimum 
requirements 
are a bachelor’s 
degree and 
a major 
(constituting 
36 semester 
hours) or minor 
in physical 
education. 
For a K-12 
physical 
education 
endorsement, a 
candidate must 
also possess 
a bachelor’s 
degree, 42 
semester hours 
of coursework, 
and 22 semester 
hours of 
professional 
education as 
outlined in 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 391.280 
(1991).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule 389.664 
(Board of 
Education 
Rule) requires 
two units 
of physical 
education 
to receive 
a standard 
high school 
diploma.
No state policy.
No state policy.
Assembly Bill 
231 (2005) 
requires local 
and regional 
governmental 
entities to 
conduct a 
review and 
evaluation 
of existing 
walking paths 
and sidewalks 
for pupils in a 
1-mile radius 
of each public 
school. 
The State Board of Education 
implemented mandatory 
guidelines via a Statewide 
School Wellness Policy 
(2005).

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Appendix C
 
441
continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
Nevada
Nevada Revised 
Statute 389.018 
(2003) requires 
physical 
education be 
taught, as 
practicable, in all 
public schools. 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Codes 389.2425, 
389.283, 
389.2946, 
389.386, and 
389.485, 
detail student 
performance 
standards 
in physical 
education for 
grades 2, 3, 5, 8, 
and high school. 
No mandate 
for elementary, 
middle, or high 
school. 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 389.488 
(1987) allows 
a student to be 
exempt from 
taking a course 
in physical 
education based 
on a physical or 
mental condition 
supported 
by a written 
statement from 
a physician, 
religious beliefs 
supported 
by a written 
statement from a 
parent/guardian, 
enrollment 
in JROTC, 
or intentions 
of enrolling 
in a course 
comparable 
to physical 
education. 
A school district 
may exempt 
a pupil for 
not more than 
one credit for 
participating in 
interscholastic 
athletics, on 
a drill team, 
in a marching 
band, in a dance 
group, or on 
a cheerleading 
squad if school 
sponsored and 
if the student 
participates for 
at least 120 
hours.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Codes 389.283, 
389.2946, 
389.386, and 
389.485 also 
include student 
performance 
standards 
for physical 
education for 
grades 2, 3, 5, 8, 
and 12. 
The state 
Department 
of Education’s 
website offers 
documents 
that summarize 
the Physical 
Education 
Content 
Standards 
(2000). 
Schools are 
not required to 
follow a specific 
curriculum.
No state 
policy.
Bachelor’s 
degree and the 
completion of 12 
semester hours 
of physical 
education. 
For prospective 
secondary 
physical 
education 
candidates, 
the minimum 
requirements 
are a bachelor’s 
degree and 
a major 
(constituting 
36 semester 
hours) or minor 
in physical 
education. 
For a K-12 
physical 
education 
endorsement, a 
candidate must 
also possess 
a bachelor’s 
degree, 42 
semester hours 
of coursework, 
and 22 semester 
hours of 
professional 
education as 
outlined in 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 391.280 
(1991).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule 389.664 
(Board of 
Education 
Rule) requires 
two units 
of physical 
education 
to receive 
a standard 
high school 
diploma.
No state policy.
No state policy.
Assembly Bill 
231 (2005) 
requires local 
and regional 
governmental 
entities to 
conduct a 
review and 
evaluation 
of existing 
walking paths 
and sidewalks 
for pupils in a 
1-mile radius 
of each public 
school. 
The State Board of Education 
implemented mandatory 
guidelines via a Statewide 
School Wellness Policy 
(2005).

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
442
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
New 
Hampshire
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 306.26 
(2005) gives local 
school boards 
the authority 
to adopt 
instructional time 
requirements 
for K-8 physical 
education.
The state 
permits local 
districts to 
allow students 
to substitute 
extended 
learning 
(activities 
provided outside 
the regular 
school day that 
align with the 
local physical 
education 
curriculum) to 
meet the physical 
education 
requirements in 
middle and high 
school.
The Physical 
Education 
Curriculum 
Guidelines 
(2005) provide 
suggestions 
for curriculum 
content in 
physical 
education for 
students in 
grades K-12.
No state 
policy.
The minimum 
requirement 
for prospective 
physical 
education 
teachers in 
grades K-12 
prior to licensure 
is a bachelor’s 
degree and 
demonstrated 
competency 
in the areas 
described in 
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 507.16 
(2003).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 
306.27 (2005) 
requires that 
high school 
students 
complete 
one credit 
in physical 
education 
coursework 
in order to 
graduate 
(out of 20 
required), 
and high 
schools must 
offer at least 
two credits 
in physical 
education 
(out of 45 
required).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 310.04 
(2005) requires 
developmentally 
appropriate daily 
physical activity 
to encourage 
physical activity 
recess periods.
No state policy.
No state policy.
The state Department of 
Education has created a 
Local Wellness Policy Toolkit 
(2005) that includes school 
wellness policy and resources 
assessment form.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Appendix C
 
443
continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
New 
Hampshire
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 306.26 
(2005) gives local 
school boards 
the authority 
to adopt 
instructional time 
requirements 
for K-8 physical 
education.
The state 
permits local 
districts to 
allow students 
to substitute 
extended 
learning 
(activities 
provided outside 
the regular 
school day that 
align with the 
local physical 
education 
curriculum) to 
meet the physical 
education 
requirements in 
middle and high 
school.
The Physical 
Education 
Curriculum 
Guidelines 
(2005) provide 
suggestions 
for curriculum 
content in 
physical 
education for 
students in 
grades K-12.
No state 
policy.
The minimum 
requirement 
for prospective 
physical 
education 
teachers in 
grades K-12 
prior to licensure 
is a bachelor’s 
degree and 
demonstrated 
competency 
in the areas 
described in 
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 507.16 
(2003).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 
306.27 (2005) 
requires that 
high school 
students 
complete 
one credit 
in physical 
education 
coursework 
in order to 
graduate 
(out of 20 
required), 
and high 
schools must 
offer at least 
two credits 
in physical 
education 
(out of 45 
required).
State Board 
of Education 
Rule Ed 310.04 
(2005) requires 
developmentally 
appropriate daily 
physical activity 
to encourage 
physical activity 
recess periods.
No state policy.
No state policy.
The state Department of 
Education has created a 
Local Wellness Policy Toolkit 
(2005) that includes school 
wellness policy and resources 
assessment form.

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
444
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
New Jersey
New Jersey 
Statutes 
Annotated 
18A:35-7&8 
(1967) require 
that students 
in grades 1-12 
receive 150 
minutes (or 
2 hours) of 
health, safety, 
and physical 
education per 
week. 
Local school 
districts decide 
how many 
minutes per week 
are necessary in 
each area in order 
to achieve the 
core standards.
Determined by 
local school 
boards. Per 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:14-
4.1(f) (no date 
available), 
schools are 
required 
to provide 
alternatives 
in order for 
students with 
a disability to 
meet the physical 
education core 
standards.
The mandatory 
core curriculum 
content 
standards for 
Comprehensive 
Health and 
Physical 
Education 
(2009) include 
instruction in 
identifying the 
short- and long-
term benefits of 
physical activity 
and engaging 
students in 
vigorous 
physical activity 
that develops all 
components of 
fitness. 
Standards 2.5, 
Motor Skill 
Development, 
and 2.6, Fitness, 
must be met 
by the end of 
grades 2, 4, 6, 8, 
and 12.
No state 
policy.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:9-9.2 
(2004) allows 
a physical 
education 
or health 
and physical 
education 
endorsement, 
which both 
authorize 
the holder to 
teach physical 
education in 
public schools. 
For an 
endorsement 
in health 
and physical 
education, 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:9-11.8 
(2004) requires 
a candidate to 
fulfill a 30-credit 
sequence of 
courses and 
a minimum 
of 15 credits 
in physical 
education.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:8-5 
(no date 
available) 
requires 3.75 
credits of 
health and 
physical 
education 
per year (out 
of a total 
110 credits 
required).
No state policy.
New Jersey 
Administrative 
Code 6A:16 
requires a medical 
examination prior 
to participation 
on a school-
sponsored 
interscholastic 
or intramural 
team or squad for 
students enrolled 
in grades 6-12.
New Jersey Statute 
Annotated 18A:33-15 to 
18 (2007) requires school 
districts participating in 
any of the federally funded 
child nutrition programs to 
submit their local policies 
to the state Department of 
Agriculture for a compliance 
check with the state’s Model 
Nutrition Policy (2005). 

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Appendix C
 
445
continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
New Jersey
New Jersey 
Statutes 
Annotated 
18A:35-7&8 
(1967) require 
that students 
in grades 1-12 
receive 150 
minutes (or 
2 hours) of 
health, safety, 
and physical 
education per 
week. 
Local school 
districts decide 
how many 
minutes per week 
are necessary in 
each area in order 
to achieve the 
core standards.
Determined by 
local school 
boards. Per 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:14-
4.1(f) (no date 
available), 
schools are 
required 
to provide 
alternatives 
in order for 
students with 
a disability to 
meet the physical 
education core 
standards.
The mandatory 
core curriculum 
content 
standards for 
Comprehensive 
Health and 
Physical 
Education 
(2009) include 
instruction in 
identifying the 
short- and long-
term benefits of 
physical activity 
and engaging 
students in 
vigorous 
physical activity 
that develops all 
components of 
fitness. 
Standards 2.5, 
Motor Skill 
Development, 
and 2.6, Fitness, 
must be met 
by the end of 
grades 2, 4, 6, 8, 
and 12.
No state 
policy.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:9-9.2 
(2004) allows 
a physical 
education 
or health 
and physical 
education 
endorsement, 
which both 
authorize 
the holder to 
teach physical 
education in 
public schools. 
For an 
endorsement 
in health 
and physical 
education, 
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:9-11.8 
(2004) requires 
a candidate to 
fulfill a 30-credit 
sequence of 
courses and 
a minimum 
of 15 credits 
in physical 
education.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6A:8-5 
(no date 
available) 
requires 3.75 
credits of 
health and 
physical 
education 
per year (out 
of a total 
110 credits 
required).
No state policy.
New Jersey 
Administrative 
Code 6A:16 
requires a medical 
examination prior 
to participation 
on a school-
sponsored 
interscholastic 
or intramural 
team or squad for 
students enrolled 
in grades 6-12.
New Jersey Statute 
Annotated 18A:33-15 to 
18 (2007) requires school 
districts participating in 
any of the federally funded 
child nutrition programs to 
submit their local policies 
to the state Department of 
Agriculture for a compliance 
check with the state’s Model 
Nutrition Policy (2005). 

---

Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
446
 
Educating the Student Body
TAbLE C-1 Continued
State
State Statute
and/or Policy
Waivers
Curriculum
Assessment
Certification
Graduation 
Requirement
Recess
Athletics
Walk/Bike
Wellness Policy
New Mexico
22-13-1 New 
Mexico Statute 
Annotated 
(2005) requires 
students in grades 
1-8 to receive 
instruction 
in physical 
education.
6.30.2.10.J9(n) 
New Mexico 
Administrative 
Code (2000) 
allows the 
physical 
education 
graduation 
requirement 
to be waved 
because of a 
permanent or 
chronic medical 
condition that 
does not permit 
physical activity.
6.29.9.8 
New Mexico 
Administrative 
Code (2009) 
details the New 
Mexico Public 
Education 
Department 
K-12 content 
standards with 
benchmarks and 
performance 
standards 
for physical 
education. 
Local school 
districts are 
required to 
align their 
K-12 physical 
education 
curriculum 
to these K-12 
Physical 
Education 
Standards 
(1997, revised 
2006) content 
standards with 
benchmarks and 
performance 
standards. 
No state 
policy.
Complete the 
requirements for 
an elementary 
(K-8) license 
(6.61.2 New 
Mexico 
Administrative 
Code) or a 
middle school 
(5-9) license 
(6.61.3 New 
Mexico 
Administrative 
Code) or a 
secondary (7-12) 
license (6.61.4 
New Mexico 
Administrative 
Code) or 
a PreK-12 
license (6.61.5 
New Mexico 
Administrative 
Code). 
New Mexico 
Statute 
Annotated 
(2009) 
requires 
students to 
have one unit 
in physical 
education or 
other physical 
activity.
The School 
Wellness Policy 
Guidance 
Document 
recommends that 
schools provide 
daily recess for 
all elementary 
students. It also 
recommends 
that all districts 
prohibit 
withholding 
physical activity 
(physical 
education class, 
recess, etc.) as a 
means/method of 
punishment.
State Board 
of Education 
Administrative 
Code 6.13.3.8 
(2000) sets 
the eligibility 
requirements 
for student