CS/HB 541 - Athletic Trainers

• Revises legislative intent to establish minimum standards for safe athletic trainer practice and protect the public through full licensing and regulation.

• Requires athletic trainers to practice under the direction of a physician with a written protocol and mandates trainers notify physicians of new injuries as soon as practicable.

• Establishes background screening requirements for applicants applying on or after July 1, 2016, with authority for the board to require screening for applicants with expired licenses or undergoing disciplinary action.

• Prohibits unlicensed persons from practicing athletic training or using titles "athletic trainer," "licensed athletic trainer," "AT," or "LAT," making violations a first-degree misdemeanor.

• Adds sexual misconduct prohibition, clarifies continuing education requirements (maximum 24 hours biennially including CPR/AED certification), and extends background screening provisions to athletic trainers under s. 456.0135.