Bill would let eligible athletic trainers practice across participating states

Participating states would allow eligible athletic trainers to practice through a shared agreement called a compact. Eligible trainers licensed in participating states could use this route. Separate state licenses would remain available. Trainers would need an unrestricted qualifying license, a background check, and no license or compact permission restrictions within the previous two years. They would need active Board of Certification certification or qualifying education and an exam. The education route requires at least a bachelor’s degree in athletic training or an approved equivalent. They would notify the commission, pay applicable fees, meet any required test on state practice laws, and follow practice rules where the patient is located. Each trainer’s permission would expire with their qualifying license. The agreement would take effect when the seventh state enacts it.

Participating states would share licensing records and enforce the agreement’s disciplinary rules. The shared system would cover trainers and license applicants in participating states. Significant investigation information would be available only to participating states. States could limit public access to other records, and legally erased records would be removed. The agreement would not authorize punishment for conduct that was legal in the other participating state when it occurred. Disciplinary orders would stop interstate permission while in force. After a qualifying license restriction, eligibility would require its removal and two years without restrictions on any license or compact permission.

A joint commission would run the agreement and issue binding rules for participating states. Each participating state would have one representative on the commission. The commission could charge states yearly and charge trainers fees to cover its operations. Active military members and their spouses would owe no commission fee for interstate permission. States could still charge their own fees. Commission rules would not override conflicting state rules about what care trainers may provide when a court finds that conflict. The commission would begin on or after the agreement takes effect.