Can we require job candidates to have a pre-employment physical?

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from asking job candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical examination before the employer has made a conditional offer of employment. The medical examination must be the last step before completion of the hiring process. If the medical examination reveals something about the applicant’s medical condition that was not known or obvious, the offer of employment may be withdrawn only if the condition makes the applicant unable to perform the essential functions of the job such that withdrawal of the offer is job-related and consistent with business necessity.