In order to become a practicing athletic trainer and call yourself as such, you must first obtain a certain registration or licensure regulation based on the state you are practicing in.(1) What exactly is needed
depends on the state, however the general rule is a bachelors/masters from an accredited institution, a fee, and successful passing score on the BOC credentialing exam, which is recognized by all athletic trainer state regulatory agencies. Overall a state either requires, licensure, registration or certification. Registration usually just requires that you submit your name and credentials to a registration office.(1) Certification states protect the title of athletic trainer, so non-certified individuals may practice as an athletic trainer but cannot call themselves an athletic trainer.(1) Licensure is the most strict form of state governance, and prevents individuals from practicing as an athletic trainer without first obtaining an appropriate license.(3) 46/50 states require licensure to be a practicing athletic trainer, 2 states (New York and South Carolina) require certification, while one state (Hawaii) requires registration.(2),(3) California is the only state with no state regulation in place.(2),(3)
State practice acts guide our practice by providing clear structure to what athletic trainers are and are not able to do. By having licensure and state practice acts, athletic training can be seen as a more acknowledged healthcare profession. The practice acts protect athletic training as a career too, by preventing individuals who lack the proper education and credentialing from acting as athletic trainers.(1)
Scope of Practice differs slightly between states as well. The general consensus is that athletic trainers are able to practice any skill which they have been properly trained and educated on so long as it is necessary in their work and doesn't fall into another healthcare professional's duties (i.e surgery requires a different credentialing and licensure). Generally if an athletic trainer wants to expand their scope of practice from the standard entry level scope, they require some form of advanced training or credentialing. Once the appropriate training has been done, the athletic trainer's supervising physician can provide a standing order which states that they are allowed to perform that specific skill.(1),(4) Most state practice
acts say something along the lines of "upon the advice and consent of a physician, carries out the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment, or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; and, in carrying out these functions, the athletic trainer is authorized to use physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices related to prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment."(4)
Some of the states that appeal to me are:(2),(3)
Colorado: Licensure
Since this is a state I would like to live in, It was nice to know they follow the licensure regulation.
California: No Regulation
I had family that lived here for a while, and my sister still lives here so the idea of working in California ha always interested me. Unfortunately, they do not have any form of government regulation.
South Carolina: Registration
This is the state I am currently practicing in. In South Carolina, you must register with DHEC.
Georgia: Licensure
This is the state I got my education in. Like most states, they require licensure for practice.
Resources:
(1) Wasylyk, N., 2006. Practicing Responsibly: Understanding Athletic Training Regulation And State Practice Acts. [online] Bocatc.org. Available at: <https://bocatc.org/blog/practicing-responsibly-understanding-athletic-training-regulation-and-state-practice-acts> [Accessed 23 January 2021].
(2) Members.nata.org. 2021. National Athletic Trainers' Association. [online] Available at: <https://members.nata.org/gov/state/regulatory-boards/map.cfm> [Accessed 23 January 2021].
(3)Bocatc.org. 2021. BOC - State Regulation. [online] Available at: <http://www.bocatc.org/state-regulation/state-regulation> [Accessed 23 January 2021].
(4) Dpo.colorado.gov. 2021. Office Of Athletic Trainer Licensure: Laws, Rules And Policies | Division Of Professions And Occupations. [online] Available at: <https://dpo.colorado.gov/AthleticTrainer/Laws> [Accessed 23 January 2021].
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