ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
emergency aid; technical
correction
(NOW: athletic trainers;
exemption)
Eliminates the requirement that athletic trainers from other jurisdictions who perform athletic training services in this state under specified circumstances for a temporary period of time from meeting Arizona requirements, but requires the athletic trainers to possess the required licensure, certification or registration necessary to practice athletic training in the jurisdiction where they are employed.
Laws 2000, Chapter 111 established the Board of Athletic Training (Board) to license and regulate individuals who provide athletic training services. Athletic trainers (ATs) generally engage in the prevention, recognition, assessment, management, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries commonly sustained by individuals engaged in competitive or recreational sports activities, or in physical exercise activities, any of which requires physical strength, agility, flexibility, range of motion, speed or stamina. There are approximately 400 ATs currently practicing in Arizona. By law, the Board requires that each applicant meet minimum standard of education, experience and competency. The Board also receives and investigates complaints, takes appropriate disciplinary action and responds to inquiries from the consumers as to the license status of individual ATs.
The statute provides several exemptions from licensure by the Board (A.R.S. 32-4121), including an exemption for an AT residing and employed in another state who possesses the qualifications for licensure in Arizona if the person is performing AT in this state in connection with an educational seminar or to athletes of a bona fide professional, intercollegiate, interscholastic or amateur sports organization by which the AT is employed, for not more than 60 days in any 12 month period. However, concern has been raised that ATs from out-of-state who would like to come to Arizona for spring training with their sports teams and perform AT services on their athletes cannot do so because the qualifications to practice AT in this state differs from the qualifications to practice AT in their home state where they live and work the rest of the year.
S.B. 1190 eliminates the situation of requiring ATs who live and are employed in other jurisdictions who come to this state to perform AT for a temporary period of time in connection with an educational seminar or providing AT services to athletes of a sports organization that employs them from having to meet Arizona requirements, but would require such ATs to possess the required licensure, certification or registration necessary to practice AT in the jurisdiction where they are employed.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this bill.
Provisions
1. Modifies the current exemption from licensure by the Board for ATs residing and employed in another jurisdiction if the person is performing AT services in Arizona for a temporary period of time in connection with an educational seminar or to athletes of a sports organization by which the AT is employed, by replacing the requirement that ATs possess the qualifications for licensure in this state with the requirement that ATs possess the required licensure, certification or registration necessary to practice AT in the jurisdiction in which the athletic trainer is employed.
2. Extends, from 60 to 90 days, the temporary period of time in any twelve month period an AT who resides and is employed in another state may perform AT services in this state in connection with an educational seminar or to athletes of a sports organization by which the AT is employed.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Senate Action
HEA 2/26/02 W/D
COM 3/13/02 DPA/SE 6-0-0
3rd Read 3/21/02 29-0-1
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 22, 2002