25 LC 46 1045
House Bill 314
By: Representatives LaHood of the 175
th
, Powell of the 33
rd
, Jasperse of the 11
th
, Cannon of
the 172
nd
, and Sharper of the 177
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
athletic trainers, so as to revise and update definitions; to eliminate obsolete provisions; to2
require athletic training students to be under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed3
athletic trainer; to revise and update certification requirements; to provide for related matters;4
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Chapter 5 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to athletic trainers,8
is amended by revising Code Section 43-5-1, relating to definitions, as follows:9
"43-5-1.10
As used in this chapter, the term:11
(1) 'Athletic injury' means any injury
condition sustained by a person as a result of such12
person's participation in exercises, sports, games, or recreational activities, or any13
activities requiring physical strength, agility, flexibility, range of motion, speed, or14
stamina without respect to where or how the injury condition occurs. Nothing in this15
paragraph shall be construed to expand the scope of practice of an athletic trainer beyond16
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the determination of the advising and consenting physician as provided for in
17
paragraph (2) of this Code section.18
(2) 'Athletic trainer' means a person with specific qualifications, as set forth in Code19
Sections 43-5-7 and 43-5-8 who, upon the advice and consent of a physician, carries out20
the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment,21
or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; and, in carrying out these functions, the athletic22
trainer is authorized to use physical modalities, such as heat, light, sound, cold,23
electricity, or mechanical devices related to prevention, recognition, evaluation,24
management, disposition, rehabilitation, and treatment. Nothing in this Code section
25
shall be construed to require licensure of elementary or secondary school teachers,26
coaches, or authorized volunteers who do not hold themselves out to the public as athletic27
trainers. Athletic trainers who perform dry needling procedures are required to28
demonstrate proof of graduation from a program of study that included dry needling29
instruction consisting of a minimum of 50 hours and a competency assessment of30
achievement in its curriculum. Online study for dry needling instruction will not be31
accepted as a demonstration of competence and training.32
(3) 'Board' means the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers."33
SECTION 2.34
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-6, relating to general powers35
and duties of the Georgia Board for Athletic Trainers, as follows:36
"43-5-6.37
(a) The board is authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations consistent with38
this chapter which are necessary for the performance of its duties.39
(b) The board shall prescribe application forms for license applications.40
(c) The board shall establish guidelines for athletic trainers in the state and prepare and41
conduct an approve a certification examination for applicants for a license.42
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(d) The board shall adopt an official seal and the form of a license certificate of suitable
43
design."44
SECTION 3.45
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-7, relating to license46
requirement for persons engaged as athletic trainers, as follows:47
"43-5-7.48
No person shall hold himself or herself out as an athletic trainer or perform the services of49
an athletic trainer, as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a license under this50
chapter. Nothing
; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to51
prevent any person enrolled in an accredited athletic training educational program52
recognized by the board from serving as a student-trainer, assistant-trainer, or any similar53
position an athletic training student if such service is not primarily for compensation54
following the accredited program's standards for clinical education and is carried out under55
the direct supervision of a physician or a licensed athletic trainer. As used in this Code56
section, the term 'direct supervision' means that the supervising athletic trainer or physician57
is physically present in the facility where athletic training students assisting with athletic58
training services are located and is immediately available to assist the person being59
supervised."60
SECTION 4.61
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-5-8, relating to qualifications62
of applicants and reciprocity, as follows:63
"43-5-8.64
(a) An applicant for an athletic trainer's license must have met the athletic training65
curriculum requirements of a college or university approved shall be a graduate of an66
accredited educational program that prepares athletic trainers recognized by the board and67
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give proof of graduation or shall submit, in a manner prescribed by the board, equivalent68
educational credentials as approved by the board.69
(b) The board shall be authorized to grant a license, without examination, to any qualified70
athletic trainer holding a license in another state if such other state recognizes licensees of71
this state in the same manner.72
(c) The board may grant a license without examination to any qualified applicant who73
holds a certification from the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification Board of74
Certification for the Athletic Trainer or its successor.75
(d) Any person who was issued a license prior to July 1, 2004, shall remain qualified for76
licensure, notwithstanding the requirement for proof of graduation in subsection (a) of this77
Code section, so long as the license remains current."78
SECTION 5.79
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.80
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