HB382 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

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

HB382 would expand and tighten how athletic trainers are licensed and regulated in Alabama, formalize their supervision relationship with physicians, and create an Advisory Council to develop and approve practice protocols.

What This Bill Does

The bill updates definitions and expands the scope of athletic trainers to treat athletic injuries under physician supervision or written protocol; it requires minimum medical criteria and joint approval of protocols by the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers. It creates the Advisory Council of the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, composed of three physicians and three athletic trainers, to develop model practice protocols and oversee protocol changes with approval from both boards. It also strengthens licensing requirements, discipline rules, and clarifies limits on practicing medicine, while establishing how athletic trainers in certain settings (like physical therapy clinics) must work within established supervision structures.

Who It Affects

• Athletic trainers and apprentice athletic trainers, who would face updated licensing requirements, a formalized scope of practice under physician supervision or written protocols, and new duties and oversight practices.
• Physicians and medical boards (State Board of Medical Examiners and related bodies), who would oversee protocol approval, set minimum medical criteria, and share governance through the new Advisory Council and joint rulemaking.

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, with three physicians and three athletic trainers as members.
• Defines key terms (e.g., apprentice athletic trainer, athletic injury, athletic trainer) and clarifies that athletic trainers must practice under physician direction/referral or written physician-approved protocols; the State Board of Medical Examiners must establish minimum medical criteria for protocols.
• Requires an explicit formal relationship between athletic trainers and supervising physicians, with protocols approved by both the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers; both boards must approve any rule or protocol for it to be effective.
• Advisory Council duties include recommending model practice protocols, voting on protocol changes, and recommending physician-to-athletic-trainer ratios and alternate supervising physician designations; the council cannot grant protocol deviations.
• Updates licensing provisions (citizenship or lawful presence, reciprocity, renewal processes, and fees) and grounds for licensure denial, suspension, or revocation.
• Clarifies practice limits, including that athletic trainers cannot practice medicine or physical therapy beyond their defined scope, and specifies supervision for athletic training services in settings like physical therapy clinics.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athletic Trainers, Board of