American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Pro Sports Teams, Division One Universities, and Others Ask Governor Brown to License Athletic Trainers in California

Source: California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA)

Cite Urgent Need to Join 49 States Regulating Athletic Training

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 10, 2017) – The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the NCAA have joined a chorus of others asking Governor Brown to license athletic trainers. They cite the serious risks posed to athletes, athletic trainers and their employers due to the unlicensed status of athletic trainers in California. 

“An increasing number of states have made it illegal for an unregulated athletic trainer to practice for any period of time within the state,” says the NCAA and others. As a result, athletic trainers who treat their athletes while in those states, as well as their employers, expose themselves to legal and financial consequences because they’re practicing outside the law.

California is the only state in the country that doesn’t regulate the athletic training profession. Presently, anyone in California can call themselves athletic trainers. "Unfortunately, California athletes and family members are often unaware of individuals representing themselves as 'athletic trainers' without the requisite education. These individuals are managing serious injuries such as concussions which can lead to negative consequences. Without a licensure system, there is no avenue for keeping these individuals from calling themselves athletic trainers," says Dr. Cindy Chang, a sports medicine physician from UCSF and past president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. 

Mike Chisar, chair of the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) Governmental Affairs Committee, further underlined the important need of licensing athletic trainers as soon as possible. “Athletic trainers in California do not have a state sanctioned scope of practice. Every day this places athletes in harm’s way and athletic trainers and their employers, including tax payer supported institutions, in a legal grey area.”

The CATA is hoping to work with Governor Brown in passing licensure legislation that would outline requirements to become an athletic trainer and define the scope of practice for the profession that is consistent with 49 other states.

Supporting this goal, others – including the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), CIF section commissioners, athletic trainers for major professional teams and Division I colleges, and leading sports medicine experts – are also asking Governor Brown to support licensure for athletic trainers in California. 

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. The California Athletic Trainers’ Association (http://www.ca-at.org) represents and supports 2,600 members of the athletic training profession in the state.