CPTA Responds to Athletic Training Bill

The California Physical Therapy Association has released a statement pointing out potential flaws in Assembly Bill 1510 regarding the regulation of athletic training licensure.

The bill, which was introduced in February, seeks to standardize the licensing process and to remove certain limitations governing treatment and care by athletic trainers.

According to Physical Therapy Products, the current bill would allow ATs to evaluate and provide care to any physically active patient regardless of setting, which CPTA has cautioned against.

The statement reads, “Currently, athletic trainers are trained only to evaluate and treat athletes in an athletic setting under the supervision of a physician.

“AB 1510 would allow athletic trainers to address illness outside of an athletic environment and attempts to expand their scope of practice beyond their education and training.”

Related: California Schools Short of Full-Time Athletic Trainers

In the statement, Government Affairs Committee chair Chris Reed supports the bill’s movement to ensure individuals representing themselves as certified ATs have received the proper training.

However, Reed believes this would better be accomplished through the granting of title protection for certified athletic trainers.

“In the case of AB 1510, CATA has not demonstrated the need for yet another healthcare provider beyond the athletic setting,” added CPTA President Christopher M. Powers.

“Title protection would ensure those who call themselves athletic trainers are actually certified and would give confidence to schools and parents that those providing care to their athletes are properly qualified to safely deliver that care.”