SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) and Assemblymember Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, want California to do what 47 other states already do – regulate the athletic training profession.
Introduced on February 14, AB 374, otherwise known as the “Athletic Trainers Practice Act,” would provide licensure of athletic trainers and prohibit any person without the proper credentials from engaging in the practice of athletic training without a license.
The bill is designed to be cost-neutral, with all costs associated with licensure applications and renewals covering the costs of maintaining the bill. Essentially, athletic trainers will pay for their own licensure.
“Athletic trainers save lives,” says Mike West, President of the CATA. “Until the state acknowledges the important role we play, athletes continue to be at risk, under the supervision of someone who may not be qualified to recognize or respond to a life-threatening injury.”
“Worse, out of state individuals who are not able to obtain licensure, or who lost their license can come to CA and practice,” added West.
In the past three years, over 36 California high school students have died due to sports-related injuries – many of which might have been saved if there was a qualified athletic trainer.
AB 374 would impact the safety of athletes by mandating these requirements for licensure:
- Either a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university athletic training program or completion of certification eligibility requirements for an athletic training certification program prior to January 1, 2001.
- Pass a comprehensive exam approved by the Athletic Training Licensing Committee
- Posses an emergency cardiac care certification
- Pay application fees established by the Athletic Training Licensing Committee
The bill also specifies a three year expiration and renewal with a fee and completion of 75 hours of continuing education.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure we provide our kids a safe environment to participate in athletics,” says Hayashi. “By licensing athletic trainers, we can be assured that the athletic trainer looking after a student’s safety has the medical education and hands-on experience needed to respond to emergency and non-emergency situations.”
About the California Athletic Trainers Association (CATA):
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the provision of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, serving as physician extenders in the prevention, assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses. For more information, log on to http://www.ca-at.org.