SB73 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Apr 18, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
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: SB73 updates Alabama’s athletic trainer licensing and regulation, creates an advisory council to govern supervision and protocols, and clarifies the scope and supervision of athletic training services.
What This Bill Does
It tightens licensing requirements for athletic trainers (including apprenticeship and reciprocity options) and clarifies that athletic trainers must practice under physician supervision, typically via written protocols or physician orders. It also creates an Advisory Council to develop model practice protocols and requires both the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers to approve those protocols. It sets the scope of practice, disciplinary rules, and limits on practicing medicine, and clarifies supervision rules for athletic trainers working in physical therapy settings.

Who It Affects
Athletic trainers and apprentice athletic trainers: must obtain and renew licenses, follow physician supervision and written protocols, and comply with discipline rules and scope restrictions.
Physicians and medical boards (State Board of Medical Examiners and related advisory structures): oversee supervision standards, approve protocols, participate in the advisory council, and jointly approve rules related to athletic trainer practice.

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 physician members and three athletic trainer members; includes terms, meetings, per diem, and duties.
Defines Apprentice Athletic Trainer and expands definitions related to Athletic Trainer and Athletic Training Practice, including supervision under a physician, written protocols, and specified activities and modalities.
Revises Section 34-40-3 to describe the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers as a nine-member board (six athletic trainers, three physicians, plus an ex officio president), with details on appointment, terms, meetings, and rulemaking coordination with the State Board of Medical Examiners.
Revises licensure requirements in Section 34-40-5 to require NATA certification or reciprocal licensure, establish application procedures, and set renewal timelines and fees.
Clarifies the scope of practice under physician supervision (Section 34-40-6) and sets disciplinary grounds (Section 34-40-10), while listing exemptions (Section 34-40-9) and boundaries against practicing medicine (Section 34-40-15) and job placement in physical therapy settings (Section 34-40-16).

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