Bill > HB0658

This bill updates Tennessee's laws regarding athletic trainers by expanding their scope of practice and clarifying their professional definitions and requirements. The legislation redefines an "athletic injury" to include conditions that limit or prevent physical participation, not just treating existing injuries. It establishes athletic trainers as healthcare providers who can perform various medical procedures like wound closure, blood glucose monitoring, and intravenous fluid administration, but only under the advice or referral of a licensed physician. The bill also modifies licensing requirements for athletic trainers, specifying that individuals must be certified by the Board of Certification (BOC), pass necessary examinations, and be approved by the state board. Out-of-state applicants from states without current licensure can still be eligible to take the jurisprudence examination if they meet certain certification standards. The bill emphasizes that athletic trainers must practice only in areas where they are competent based on their training and experience, and it maintains the requirement that individuals cannot represent themselves as athletic trainers without first obtaining a proper license. The changes aim to provide clearer guidelines and professional standards for athletic trainers in Tennessee while expanding their potential roles in healthcare delivery.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0658&ga=114