Professional medical follow-up of a public official

Verified 11 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

As a public official, you benefit from medical follow-up when you are recruited into the public service, then during your career and - in some cases - after leaving the public service. We present you the conditions of implementation of this medical follow-up according to your public service (State - FPE, territorial - FPT, hospital - FPH).

EPF

Upon your entry into the public service, if your functions require special health conditions due to the particular risks that these functions entail for you or for third parties and subjections that they involve, you pass one medical examination by a licensed physician by the administration.

An approved doctor is a general practitioner or specialist on a list drawn up, in each department, by the prefect, on a proposal from the Regional Health Agency (ARS), after consulting the Departmental Council of the Order of Physicians.

The specific health conditions required to perform your duties are defined by the special status of body to which you will belong (or to which your job is assimilated if you are a contractor). This is the case, for example, for some national police forces or for the prison administration's supervisory staff.

During that examination, the certified physician checks that you fill in the physical fitness conditions required for perform the duties corresponding to the public employment envisaged.

When the recruitment is first done in a school or educational institution, the hiring medical examination takes place at the time of admission to the school or institution.

If you or your administration dispute the findings of the registered physician, you may refer the matter to medical advice within 2 months.

The costs of this examination shall be borne by the administration.

When the certified physician has determined your fitness for duty, the occupational physician checks then your ability to occupy your workstation. It checks the compatibility of your health condition with the working conditions specific to the position you will occupy. He can give an opinion or make proposals when you are assigned to your workstation in view of the particularities of this position and your health. For example, it may propose adjustments to your workstation (for example, specific equipment different from other staff performing the same functions).

Periodic visit

You benefit from a information and prevention visit every 5 years.

This visit can be carried out by the occupational physician, a medical collaborator or a nurse.

The purpose of the information and prevention visit is to ask you about your health.

This visit is also intended to inform you about the possible risks to which your workstation exposes you and about the means of prevention to be implemented.

At the end of each information and prevention visit, the health professional who conducted it (if not the occupational doctor), can refer you to the occupational doctor, if he considers that your health condition or the risks to which you are exposed require it.

If the visit was not carried out by the occupational physician, you can also request to benefit, at any time, from a visit with the occupational physician.

The occupational physician may propose temporary or permanent adjustments to your workstation or the conditions under which you perform your duties, depending on your age, physical strength or health status.

Where the administration does not follow the opinion of the occupational physician, it must give written reasons for its refusal and inform the specialized training on health, safety and working conditions within the administrative social committee.

You must provide your administration with the proof of your visit information and prevention.

Special medical supervision

The occupational physician carries out special medical supervision if you are in any of the following situations :

  • You have a disability
  • You are pregnant or have just given birth or are breastfeeding
  • You are reinstated after a long-term leave or a long-term leave
  • You hold a position in a department with particular risks
  • You suffer from particular pathologies determined by the occupational physician.

The occupational physician defines the frequency and nature of monitoring what this particular medical surveillance entails. Its periodicity may not exceed 4 years.

An intermediate visit is carried out by an occupational doctor, a medical collaborator or a nurse.

These visits are mandatory.

The occupational physician may propose adjustments to your workstation or working conditions, because of your age or physical resistance or health condition.

It may also propose temporary accommodations your workplace or working conditions if you are pregnant, have just given birth or are breastfeeding.

Where the administration does not follow the opinion of the occupational physician, it must give written reasons for its refusal and inform the specialized training on health, safety and working conditions within the administrative social committee.

Medical visit on request

You can ask to benefit at any time from a visit with the occupational physician, a medical collaborator or a nurse, without the administration knowing the reason.

And your employer administration can ask the occupational physician to see you if it deems that your state of health requires it. She must inform you of this process.

When you permanently leave the public service, you are entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been exposed to a carcinogen, mutagen or toxic to reproduction in the following activities:

  • Removal or encapsulation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, equipment and materials or articles, including demolition
  • Interventions on materials, equipment, materials or articles likely to cause the emission of asbestos fibers.

You are also entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been habitually exposed to a substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction as part of an activity listed in the occupational diseases.

Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction means chemical substances, alone or in mixtures, which by inhalation, ingestion or skin penetration may:

  • Causing or increasing the frequency of cancer
  • Produce or increase the frequency of inherited genetic defects
  • Produce or increase the frequency of non-hereditary adverse effects in the offspring or impair reproductive functions or capacities.

You are entitled to this post-professional medical follow-up regardless of how you leave the public service (retirement, resignation, dismissal, etc.).

This medical follow-up is covered by the last administration in which you were exposed. If this administration cannot be identified, the medical follow-up is covered by the administration to which you belong at the time of your permanent cessation of functions.

You are informed of your right by the administration when you permanently cease your duties.

For this purpose, the administration issues you a certificate of exposure to a carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic risk for reproduction established, after consulting the occupational physician.

The post-professional follow-up can be provided, at your choice, by the department of preventive medicine of the administration or by any doctor freely chosen or by the medical centers with which the administration has concluded an agreement.

FPT

Upon your entry into the public service, if your functions require special health conditions due to the particular risks that these functions entail for you or for third parties and subjections that they involve, you pass a medical examination with a doctor approved by the administration.

An approved doctor is a general practitioner or specialist appearing on a list drawn up, in each department, by the prefect, on a proposal from the Regional Health Agency, after consulting the Departmental Council of the Order of Physicians.

The specific health conditions required to perform your duties are defined by the special status of employment framework to which you will belong (or to which your job is assimilated if you are a contractor). This is the case for firefighters.

During that examination, the certified physician checks that you fill in the physical fitness conditions required for perform the duties corresponding to the public employment envisaged.

When the recruitment is first done in a school or educational institution, the hiring medical examination takes place at the time of admission to the school or institution.

If you or your administration dispute the findings of the registered physician, you may refer the matter to medical advice within 2 months.

The costs of this examination shall be borne by the administration.

When the certified physician has determined your fitness for duty, the occupational physician checks then your ability to occupy your workstation. It checks the compatibility of your health condition with the working conditions specific to the position you will occupy. He can give an opinion or make proposals when you are assigned to your workstation in view of the particularities of this position and your health. For example, it may propose adjustments to your workstation (for example, specific equipment different from other staff performing the same functions).

Periodic visit

You benefit from a information and prevention visit at least every 5 years.

This visit can be carried out by the occupational physician, a medical collaborator or a nurse.

The purpose of the information and prevention visit is to ask you about your health.

This visit is also intended to inform you about the possible risks to which your workstation exposes you and about the means of prevention to be implemented.

At the end of each information and prevention visit, the health professional who conducted it (if not the occupational doctor), can refer you to the occupational doctor, if he considers that your health condition or the risks to which you are exposed require it.

If the visit was not carried out by the occupational physician, you can also request to benefit, at any time, from a visit with the occupational physician.

The occupational physician may propose temporary or permanent adjustments to your workstation or the conditions under which you perform your duties, depending on your age, physical strength or health status.

Where the administration does not follow the opinion of the occupational physician, it must give written reasons for its refusal and inform the specialized training on health, safety and working conditions within the territorial social committee.

You must provide your administration with the proof of your visit information and prevention.

The occupational physician carries out an information and prevention visit at a frequency that he defines and at least every 4 years if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You have a disability
  • You are pregnant or have just given birth or are breastfeeding
  • You are reinstated after a long-term leave or a long-term leave
  • You are assigned to a position that puts you at particular risk to your health or safety
  • You suffer from a particular pathology
  • Your workstation or working conditions have been adjusted due to your age, physical resistance or health condition
  • You benefit from a period of preparation for reclassification.

Between 2 visits together with the occupational physician, these officers are provided with intermediate visit no later than 2 years after 1re visit to the occupational physician. This intermediate visit is carried out by the occupational physician, a medical collaborator or a nurse.

Please note

If you have multiple non-full-time jobs, the information and prevention visit is in the community that employs you the longest.

Special medical supervision

The occupational doctor will carry out special medical supervision if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You have a disability
  • You are pregnant or have just given birth or are breastfeeding
  • You are reinstated after a long-term leave or a long-term leave
  • You are assigned to a position that puts you at particular risk to your health or safety
  • You have a particular condition.

The occupational physician defines the frequency and nature of the follow-up that this medical surveillance entails and at least every 2 years.

These visits are mandatory.

The occupational physician may propose adjustments to your workstation or working conditions, because of your age or physical resistance or health condition.

It may also propose temporary accommodations your workplace or working conditions if you are pregnant, have just given birth or are breastfeeding.

Where the administration does not follow the opinion of the occupational physician, it must give written reasons for its refusal and inform the specialized training on health, safety and working conditions within the territorial social committee.

Medical visit on request

You can ask to benefit at any time from a visit with the occupational physician, a medical collaborator or a nurse, without the administration knowing the reason.

And your employer administration can ask the occupational physician to see you if it deems that your state of health requires it. She must inform you of this process.

When you permanently leave the public service, you are entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been exposed to a carcinogen, mutagen or toxic to reproduction in the following activities:

  • Removal or encapsulation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, equipment and materials or articles, including demolition
  • Interventions on materials, equipment, materials or articles likely to cause the emission of asbestos fibers.

You are also entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been habitually exposed to a substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction as part of an activity listed in the occupational diseases.

Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction means chemical substances, alone or in mixtures, which by inhalation, ingestion or skin penetration may:

  • Causing or increasing the frequency of cancer
  • Produce or increase the frequency of inherited genetic defects
  • Produce or increase the frequency of non-hereditary adverse effects in the offspring or impair reproductive functions or capacities.

You are entitled to this post-professional medical follow-up regardless of how you leave the public service (retirement, resignation, dismissal, etc.).

This medical follow-up is covered by the last administration in which you were exposed. If this administration cannot be identified, the medical follow-up is covered by the administration to which you belong at the time of your permanent cessation of functions.

You are informed of your right by the administration when you permanently cease your duties.

For this purpose, the administration issues you a certificate of exposure to a carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic risk for reproduction established, after consulting the occupational physician.

The post-professional follow-up can be provided, at your choice, by the department of preventive medicine of the administration or by any doctor freely chosen or by the medical centers with which the administration has concluded an agreement.

FPH

Upon your entry into the public service, if your functions require special health conditions due to the particular risks that these functions entail for you or for third parties and subjections that they involve, you pass one medical examination by a licensed physician by the administration.

An approved doctor is a general practitioner or specialist appearing on a list drawn up, in each department, by the prefect, on a proposal from the Regional Health Agency, after consulting the Departmental Council of the Order of Physicians.

The specific health conditions required to perform your duties are defined by the special status of body to which you will belong, or to which your job is assimilated if you are a contractor.

During that examination, the certified physician checks that you fill in the physical fitness conditions required for perform the duties corresponding to the public employment envisaged.

When the recruitment is first done in a school or educational institution, the hiring medical examination takes place at the time of admission to the school or institution.

If you or your administration dispute the findings of the registered physician, you may refer the matter to medical advice within 2 months.

The costs of this examination shall be borne by the administration.

At each take-over

Before you take up your duties, you undergo a medical examination with the occupational physician.

The purpose of this examination is to check the compatibility of your health with the working conditions of the position to which you are assigned.

In an approach to the prevention of communicable infectious diseases, the occupational physician provides complementary examinations adapted to your background and your position.

In particular, the occupational physician may prescribe the additional examinations necessary for the detection of conditions containing a contraindication at the workstation.

This medical examination includes a tuberculosis test and a chest x-ray unless you have a certificate from a licensed pulmonophtisiologist and a lung image less than 3 months old.

The occupational doctor will perform the required additional tests if you are exposed to particular risks. This is the case, for example, if you are exposed to ionizing radiation or biological agents that can cause serious illness.

The occupational doctor ensures that you carry out the mandatory vaccinations.

He himself carries out or causes to be carried out these vaccinations and those that would be imposed by an epidemic.

You can get vaccinated with the doctor of your choice and provide a detailed certificate.

The occupational physician may perform the recommended vaccinations in case of particular risks of contagion.

The occupational physician shall be informed by the head of the establishment as soon as possible of any change of assignment. On this occasion, he can take the initiative to submit you to a new examination.

Periodic career reviews

You benefit from a medical examination every 2 years.

Medical examinations or nursing interviews may be done more frequently on the advice of the occupational physician if you are exposed to particular risks.

You benefit from a enhanced medical surveillance if you are in one of the following situations:

The occupational physician determines the conditions for enhanced medical supervision.

Return-to-work examination after maternity or sick leave

You will be given a resumption exam after one of the following absences:

  • Maternity leave
  • Work stoppage for - or occupational disease
  • Stoppage of work of at least 30 days due to illness, illness or non-occupational accident or, on the initiative of the occupational physician, for an absence of less than 30 days.

The resumption examination is organized within 8 days from the date of resumption of work.

When you permanently leave the public service, you are entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been exposed to a carcinogen, mutagen or toxic to reproduction in the following activities:

  • Removal or encapsulation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, equipment and materials or articles, including demolition
  • Interventions on materials, equipment, materials or articles likely to cause the emission of asbestos fibers.

You are also entitled to post-professional medical follow-up if you have been habitually exposed to a substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction as part of an activity listed in the occupational diseases.

Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction means chemical substances, alone or in mixtures, which by inhalation, ingestion or skin penetration may:

  • Causing or increasing the frequency of cancer
  • Produce or increase the frequency of inherited genetic defects
  • Produce or increase the frequency of non-hereditary adverse effects in the offspring or impair reproductive functions or capacities.

You are entitled to this post-professional medical follow-up regardless of how you leave the public service (retirement, resignation, dismissal, etc.).

This medical follow-up is taken care of by the institution in which you were exposed. If this institution cannot be identified, medical follow-up is taken care of by the institution to which you belong at the time of your definitive termination of duties.

You are informed of your right by your institution at the time you permanently cease your duties.

For this purpose, the establishment issues you a certificate of exposure to a carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic risk for reproduction established, after consulting the occupational physician.

Post-professional follow-up can be provided, at your choice, by any doctor freely chosen or as part of a hospital consultation.

FAQ