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Governor Youngkin signs executive order to reinstitute Presidential Fitness Test

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 6:50 GMT by 29news.com

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Reinstates Presidential Fitness Test in New Executive Order

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order that requires every presidential candidate to undergo a standardized fitness test before they can appear on the ballot. The measure, titled “Executive Order No. 2025‑23, Reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test,” is the first time a state has imposed such a medical prerequisite on a national election and signals a growing trend among some state officials to use health and wellness criteria as a public policy lever.

The order, which takes effect immediately, mandates that candidates complete a 12‑minute run, a 50‑push‑up test, and a timed stair climb that together must yield a minimum score of 75 out of 100. Candidates must submit proof of their results, either as a certified fitness assessment from a licensed physician or a direct test administered by a state‑approved facility. The order also requires that each candidate file a written statement outlining any chronic health conditions and the steps they will take to manage them while in office.

Governor Youngkin, a Republican who has positioned himself as a pragmatic outsider, said in a brief statement that the order is “an essential step in ensuring that our nation’s leaders possess the physical resilience required for the demanding job of president.” He emphasized that the measure is not about “health as a political weapon” but about “public safety and the well‑being of the country.” “The presidency is the most physically and mentally demanding job in the land,” Youngkin said. “It is only reasonable that the candidates we place in that position are fit to handle the pressures that come with it.”

The order draws on a long‑standing tradition of health examinations for federal employees. It cites the “Presidential Physical Fitness Assessment” first developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in 2004 and later refined by the National Institutes of Health in 2011. The guidelines for the test were adopted by the Department of Defense in 2017 as part of its “Physician‑Administered Health Screening for the Executive Branch.” The Virginia order is the first state‑level enactment that incorporates that federal standard into a requirement for ballot access.

Supporters of the measure argue that it could prevent a scenario similar to the 2020 “health scare” that led to President Trump’s hospitalization. “We’ve seen how quickly a health issue can derail a presidency,” said Virginia health policy analyst Dr. Maya Patel. “By requiring a baseline fitness level, we can mitigate that risk and maintain public confidence in the integrity of our leaders.”

Opponents, however, have warned that the order risks becoming a tool of political exclusion. “This is essentially a gatekeeping mechanism that could be used to block candidates who simply do not meet arbitrary fitness criteria,” said civil libertarian James O’Connor of the Virginia Citizens’ Action Committee. “It raises serious questions about equal access to the ballot and whether state officials should impose such requirements on federal officeholders.”

The order has already prompted a flurry of responses from national political figures. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D‑MA) condemned the measure as “political overreach,” calling it “an infringement on the democratic process.” In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump (R‑FL) praised the order, saying it was “a step in the right direction to ensure that the president has the stamina and strength to serve the country effectively.”

The executive order also establishes a new administrative body within the Virginia Department of Health: the Presidential Fitness Assessment Board. The Board will be composed of medical professionals, fitness experts, and a representative from the Virginia Bar Association. The Board will oversee the testing process, adjudicate disputes, and maintain a public database of test results. The order requires that the results be published on a dedicated website, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The text of the executive order is available for public download in PDF format on the Virginia Governor’s website. The document also links to the federal guidelines adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services, which provide detailed instructions for test administration and scoring. For those interested in the original federal policy, a link leads to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, where the “Presidential Fitness Assessment Guidelines” can be downloaded.

The new rule is set to take effect before the 2024 presidential primary season begins, meaning that all candidates filing for the Democratic and Republican nominations must meet the fitness requirement by a deadline that will be set in the coming weeks. While the Virginia order is currently a state law, its implications may reverberate nationally. If the measure proves successful in Virginia and gains political traction, other states may follow suit, potentially leading to a patchwork of fitness standards across the country.

In a statement to reporters, Governor Youngkin emphasized that the order is “about protecting the country’s future.” He reiterated that the policy is “not a political statement, but a public safety measure.” As the political landscape prepares for the 2024 election cycle, the new fitness requirement will undoubtedly become a hot topic among campaign strategists, voters, and health experts alike. Whether it will reshape the way presidential candidates prepare for office remains to be seen, but its immediate impact on the ballot process in Virginia is already unfolding.