SB343 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Board of Athletic Trainers, to change references from apprentice athletic trainers to athletic trainer students, to require persons to be qualified health care professionals to be licensed as athletic trainers. Sections 34-40-2, 34-40-3, 34-40-5, 34-40-9, 34-40-15 Code of Alabama 1975, amd

Summary

SB343 updates Alabama's athletic trainer laws by renaming apprentice athletic trainers to athletic trainer students and requiring licensure applicants to be qualified health care professionals.

What This Bill Does

It changes references from apprentice athletic trainers to athletic trainer students in the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers' regulations. It requires anyone applying to be licensed as an athletic trainer to be a qualified health care professional. It defines athletic trainer student and qualified health care professional, and requires the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers to jointly approve rules about what athletic trainers and athletic trainer students may do. It maintains existing licensure paths (NATA BOC certification or licensure by reciprocity) and includes exemptions for athletic trainer students and related personnel, with the act taking effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Athletic trainer students — renamed from apprentice athletic trainers, they may continue to assist under direct supervision of a licensed athletic trainer and have defined duty limitations.
• Prospective and current athletic trainer licensees — must be a qualified health care professional and meet licensure requirements (NATA BOC certification or licensure by reciprocity) while also meeting citizenship/legal presence rules.

Key Provisions

• Terminology changes: 'Apprentice Athletic Trainer' is changed to 'Athletic Trainer Student' in sections 34-40-2, 34-40-3, 34-40-5, 34-40-9, and 34-40-15.
• Definitions added/updated: Defines 'Athletic Trainer', 'Athletic Trainer Student', and 'Qualified Health Care Professional' with criteria including recognition by AMA and a national provider identifier.
• Licensure criteria changed: Any person seeking licensure as an athletic trainer must be a US citizen or legally present and a qualified health care professional, and must meet one of the following—NATA BOC certification or licensure by reciprocity.
• Rulemaking: The Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers and the State Board of Medical Examiners must jointly approve rules interpreting permissible acts by athletic trainers and athletic trainer students.
• Practice limitations: Reaffirms that athletic trainers cannot practice medicine, diagnose treated conditions beyond athletic injuries, perform surgery, or prescribe drugs.
• Exemptions retained: Maintains exemptions for coaches, athletic trainer students performing duties within the chapter, and certain other existing exemptions.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers