Athletic trainers are persons licensed by the Secretary of Health to provide:

• risk management and prevention of athletic injuries;
• recognition, evaluation, and assessment of athletic injuries;
• immediate care of athletic injuries, including through the application of first-aid and emergency procedures;
• 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 medications such as pain relievers, 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. An athletic trainer may not administer any medications to a student in a public or private school, but may administer over-the-counter medications to a minor in other settings with written consent from the minor's parent or guardian. An athletic trainer who has completed an anaphylaxis training program may administer an epinephrine autoinjector.

Athlete means a person who participates in exercise, recreation, activities, sport or games requiring physical strength, range-of-motion, flexibility, body awareness and control, speed, stamina or agility; and the exercise, recreation, activities, sports, or games are of a type conducted for the benefits of health and wellness in association with an educational institution or professional, amateur, recreational sports club or organization, hospital, or industrial-based organization.
 
Athletic trainer means a health care provider who is licensed by the Secretary of Health to practice athletic training. A licensed athletic trainer may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training. A licensed athletic trainer who has completed accredited training programs on pharmacology and medication administration may purchase, store, and administer medications in accordance with the programs, as prescribed by an authorized healthcare practitioner for the practice of athletic training.

PRO: This bill seeks to acknowledge all athlete populations cared for by athletic trainers. The addition of the terms "activities" and "for the benefits of health and wellness" support nontraditional athletes in nontraditional athletic settings. These language updates ensure that athletic trainers are able to practice at the top of their scope. Athletic trainers across the country and across Washington are moving more into physician practice settings. The practice of athletic training in these settings are limited with the current statutory language. As proposed, this bill allows athletic trainers to better assist patients, improve workflow, and provide more efficient and effective care.