How Often Should You Get a Physical? Guidelines by Age

October 4, 2026 avinashmittal

Many of us grew up hearing that everyone needs an annual physical. But how often should you get a physical if you feel healthy? The answer depends on your age, your health and your risk factors, and the research on routine checkups may surprise you.

Quick answer: There’s no single rule for everyone. Health systems such as Advocate Health say most adults benefit from a yearly visit, but a healthy adult under 40 may be able to go every two years, and doctors quoted by U.S. News suggest every one to three years for healthy younger and middle-aged adults and yearly visits from about age 60. People with chronic conditions often need visits more than once a year. What matters most is staying up to date on the screenings recommended for your age.

Do You Really Need an Annual Physical?

Not always. A 2019 Cochrane review of randomized trials looked at general health checks offered to whole populations, regardless of risk. It found that these routine checks had little or no effect on deaths overall or deaths from cancer, and probably little or no effect on deaths from heart disease. The trials that measured deaths included more than 233,000 people, according to a summary in American Family Physician.

There’s an important catch. As American Family Physician notes, those trials don’t fully reflect how good primary care works today, where doctors focus on targeted, evidence-based screenings and care based on your age and risk. So the takeaway isn’t “skip the doctor.” It’s that the right screenings and follow-up matter more than a head-to-toe exam every single year.

How Often Should You Get a Physical by Age?

Advice varies between health systems, so treat these as general ranges and agree on a schedule with your own provider:

Your situation	How often to see your provider
Healthy adult under 40 with no chronic conditions	Every one to three years; some providers suggest every two years
Healthy adult 40 to 59	Every one to three years, though many providers recommend a yearly visit as screening needs grow
Adult 60 and older	Once a year
Any age with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure	As often as your provider advises, which may be more than once a year

Sources: Advocate Health; U.S. News, quoting a Cedars-Sinai affiliated primary care doctor.

Annual Physical Exam Checklist: Key Screenings by Age

Whether you go every year or every few years, these screenings from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are the core of preventive care for adults at average risk:

Screening	Who should get it	How often
Blood pressure	Adults 18 and older	Yearly at 40+ or if at increased risk; every 3 to 5 years for adults 18 to 39 with normal readings and no risk factors
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes	Adults 35 to 70 with overweight or obesity	Repeat every 3 years if still overweight
Hepatitis C	Adults 18 to 79	At least once
HIV	People 15 to 65	At least once
Colorectal cancer	Adults 45 to 75	Depends on the test chosen
Breast cancer (mammogram)	Women 40 to 74	Every 2 years
Cervical cancer	Women 21 to 65	Depends on the test chosen

Sources: USPSTF hypertension screening, USPSTF diabetes screening, MedlinePlus and the AAFP summary of USPSTF recommendations. People at higher risk may need earlier or more frequent screening.

Some of these checks link to topics we’ve covered: diabetes screening uses tests such as the A1C, explained in our guide to normal A1C levels, and hepatitis C testing matters because it’s one of the infections that cause cancer.

How Often Should You Get Blood Work?

There’s no need for a full panel of blood tests every year if you’re healthy. How often you get blood work depends on what’s being checked. Diabetes screening for adults with overweight is typically repeated every 3 years, and Advocate Health notes that most people get a cholesterol check every four to six years. You may need tests more often if you have a condition being monitored, take certain medicines, or had an abnormal result.

What to Expect at a Physical

According to Advocate Health, every annual visit involves three basics: a physical exam, a review of your health history, and a check of your vital signs. Depending on your age and history, your provider may also:

Order screening tests from the checklist above
Review your vaccines and recommend any you’re due for
Ask about your mood, sleep, alcohol use, smoking and activity
Review your medicines and any new symptoms
Talk through healthy habits, such as regular walking

How to Get the Most From Your Visit

Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, with doses.
Know your family history, especially heart disease, diabetes and cancers.
Write down your questions and any symptoms before you go.
Ask which screenings you’re due for and when your next visit should be.

Don’t wait for a scheduled physical if something changes. New or worsening symptoms deserve their own appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do healthy adults need an annual physical?

Not necessarily. Research on routine checkups for everyone shows little effect on deaths, so many healthy adults under 40 can go every one to three years. Staying current on recommended screenings is what counts.

How often should you get a physical in your 20s and 30s?

If you’re healthy, every one to three years is a common recommendation, with blood pressure checks at least every 3 to 5 years.

How often should you get a physical after 60?

Once a year is generally recommended, and more often if you’re managing a chronic condition.

How often should you get blood work?

It depends on the test. Diabetes screening is often repeated every 3 years for adults with overweight, and cholesterol checks are commonly done every four to six years if results are normal.

Is an annual physical covered by insurance?

Many health plans cover preventive visits and recommended screenings. Check with your plan before your visit, since rules vary.

The Bottom Line

How often should you get a physical? If you’re healthy and under 40, every one to three years is often enough; from about 60, or if you have a chronic condition, plan on at least a yearly visit. Whatever your schedule, make sure you’re up to date on the screenings recommended for your age, and see your provider sooner if anything changes.