Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1275
Brief Description: Concerning athletic trainers.
Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Harris and Riccelli.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the authorization for athletic trainers to purchase, store, and administer certain medications.
  • Modifies definitions related to athletic trainers.
Hearing Date: 1/25/23
Staff: Kim Weidenaar (786-7120).
Background:

Applicants for an athletic trainer license must provide proof of successfully completing one of the following:

  • any accredited educational program accepted by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) as meeting the requirements to sit for the certification examination; or
  • completion of a bachelors or advanced degree attained prior to January 1, 2004, including at a minimum:
    • course work in human anatomy, kinesiology, human physiology, exercise physiology, and health (such as nutrition, drug and substance use, health education, personal health and wellness, or a course in pathology, pathophysiology, or pharmacology); and
    • completion of an internship with a minimum of 1,500 practical hours under direct supervision of an athletic trainer certified by the BOC.

 
Athletic trainers are licensed by the Department of Health to provide: 

  • risk management and prevention of athletic injuries and recognition, evaluation, and assessment of athletic injuries;
  • immediate care of athletic injuries, including through the application of first aid and emergency procedures for athletic injuries;
  • treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletic injuries in accordance with guidelines established with a licensed health care provider;
  • treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of work-related injuries, under the direct supervision of and in accordance with a plan of care for an individual worker established by a provider authorized to provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services; and
  • referral of an athlete to an appropriately licensed health care provider if the athletic injury requires further definitive care or the injury or condition is outside an athletic trainer's scope of practice.

 
An athletic trainer may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter topical medications such as hydrocortisone, fluocinonide, topical anesthetics, silver sulfadiazine, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide, and other similar medications, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training.
 
"Athlete" is defined as a person who participates in exercise, recreation, sport, or games requiring physical strength, range-of-motion, flexibility, body awareness and control, speed, stamina, or agility, and the exercise, recreation, sports, or games are of a type conducted in association with an educational institution or professional, amateur, or recreational sports club or organization.
 
"Athletic injury" means an injury or condition sustained by an athlete that affects the person's participation or performance in exercise, recreation, sport, or games and the injury or condition is within the professional preparation and education of an athletic trainer.
 
 "Athletic trainer" means a person who is licensed under the athletic trainer chapter who can practice athletic training through the consultation, referral, or guidelines of a licensed health care provider working within their scope of practice.

Summary of Bill:

Athletic trainers are authorized to purchase, store, and administer medications in accordance with the athletic trainer's pharmacological education and training, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training.  References to over-the-counter topical medications are removed.
 
The definition "athletic injury" is modified to include "activities."  The definition of "athlete" is modified to include "activities" and includes exercise, recreation, activities, sports, or games that are of a type conducted for the benefits of health and wellness.  The definition of "athletic trainer" is modified so that it refers to a health care provider, rather than a person, licensed under the athletic trainer statutes.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.