SB93 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Athletic Trainers, Board of, treatment of physically active individual provided, relationship between trainer and supervising or referring physician provided, Jt. Committee of St. Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Athletic Trainers created, Sec. 34-40-3.2 added; Secs. 34-40-2, 34-40-3, 34-40-5, 34-40-6, 34-40-9, 34-40-10, 34-40-15, 34-40-16 am'd.

Summary

This bill updates Alabama's athletic trainer licensing and creates a joint Advisory Council with the State Board of Medical Examiners to guide athletic trainer practice.

What This Bill Does

It changes licensure rules to require either National Certification (NATA) or reciprocity with substantially equivalent requirements. It reorganizes the Board of Athletic Trainers to nine members (six athletic trainers and three physicians) and creates an Advisory Council of three physicians and three athletic trainers to develop model practice protocols, which must be approved by both the medical examiners board and the athletic trainers board. It requires physician supervision of athletic trainers under written protocols, expands permissible activities under supervision, and sets disciplinary rules and scope limitations. It also establishes new cross‑board oversight, including protocol approval, and sets an effective date for the act.

Who It Affects

• Athletic trainers (including apprentices) in Alabama, by changing licensure requirements (NATA certification or reciprocity), increasing supervision under physician-directed protocols, and applying new discipline and scope rules.
• Physicians in Alabama, by requiring supervision of athletic trainers through written protocols, and by serving on the new Advisory Council that helps shape model protocols and oversight.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 34-40-3.2 to create the Advisory Council of the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers; council has 3 physicians and 3 athletic trainers, with staggered initial terms and annual meetings; chair alternates between physician and athletic trainer.
• Advisory Council may recommend model practice protocols for athletic trainers; all protocols require approval by both the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers; council may vote only on protocols and amendments and cannot grant deviations from protocol.
• The Advisory Council may propose rules on the physician-to-athletic-trainer ratio and how supervising physicians can designate an alternate when temporarily unavailable; no protocol becomes effective without dual approval.
• Amends 34-40-2 to define terms (including apprentice athletic trainer, athletic injury, athletic trainer, and advisory council) and to describe the supervisory relationship between athletic trainers and physicians via written protocols.
• Reforms the Board of Athletic Trainers to nine members (six athletic trainers and three physicians); includes appointment processes, meeting requirements, rulemaking authority, and joint rule approval with the State Board of Medical Examiners.
• 34-40-5 establishes licensure requirements: U.S. citizenship or legal presence; either NATA certification or licensure by reciprocity with substantially equivalent qualifications; 30-day application window and renewal requirements.
• 34-40-6 allows athletic trainers to use therapeutic exercise and modalities under physician supervision for injuries within their training, per approved protocols.
• 34-40-9 maintains exemptions for other licensed professionals and clarifies allowances for coaches, apprentices, and temporary out-of-state trainers.
• 34-40-10 gives the board authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for misconduct including practicing without supervision, substance impairment, fraud, negligence, mental incompetence, and other defined actions.
• 34-40-15 clarifies that athletic trainers cannot practice medicine, diagnose diseases, hold themselves out as physical or occupational therapists, or perform spinal manipulation, while allowing scope within the chapter.
• 34-40-16 requires athletic trainers in physical therapy clinics to work under the administrative supervision of a licensed physical therapist, with physician supervision still guiding treatment when applicable.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athletic Trainers, Board of