CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

Who is responsible for the costs associated with a pre-employment physical?

1. Employee

2. Contractor

3. Employer

4. Insurance Company

The correct answer is: Employer

The responsible party for the costs associated with a pre-employment physical is typically the employer. This is because pre-employment physicals are often required by employers to ensure that prospective employees are physically capable of performing the job they are being hired for. It is a part of the hiring process that aims to maintain workplace safety and health standards. In many cases, employers view the pre-employment screening as a necessary step in reducing workplace injuries and ensuring compliance with occupational health regulations. Therefore, covering the costs of such assessments aligns with the employer’s duty to provide a safe working environment. While there may be specific circumstances or agreements in some workplaces regarding who bears these costs, the standard practice in most organizations is for the employer to be responsible. As for the other choices, an employee typically would not be expected to cover these costs as they are being evaluated for employment, and a contractor or insurance company is usually not directly involved in this phase of the hiring process unless stated otherwise in an employment agreement.