Relates to the certification and licensure of athletic trainers

6 Co-sponsors

• Terry Gipson
• George Latimer
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Joseph E. Robach
• Cecilia Tkaczyk

BILL NUMBER:S4465A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to certification of athletic trainers

Purpose

To create licensure for the profession of Athletic Trainers

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation updates the current laws that certify Athletic Trainers (AM), however it maintains the requirement that Athletic Trainers perform under the supervision of physicians. It expands the definition of Athletic Training and establishes licensure. Since the practice of Athletic Training would now require a license, the legislation sets forth exemptions to allow students in accredited programs and other qualified licensees to perform services that would be protected upon enactment of this law. The bill also creates a continuing education requirement for licensed Athletic Trainers.

Justification

The Athletic Training practice act (Article 162 of the Education Law) was passed in 1992. It needs to be updated to reflect the evolution of the profession of Athletic Training including the increased knowledge base, capabilities, and abilities of Athletic Trainers. The pursuit of licensure is solely to protect the public. Individuals walking in the capacity of Athletic Trainers would be required to possess licenses, This would allow athletes, parents, patients, performers, and clients to know that the Athletic Trainers working with them are qualified to provide thin important service.

The current scope of practice for Athletic training in New York State is so limited that fewer students who graduate from the eleven accredited Athletic Training education programs in New York State colleges choose to remain in New York to work. We are losing the best students to other locations as a result of the limitations in the current practice act. Fewer New York State high schools will have access to Athletic Trainers at a time when the recently enacted Concussion Awareness and Management Law makes it more desirable for secondary schools to have Athletic Trainers on staff as part of their Concussion Management Teams.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.