Athletic trainers.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various professions and vocations by regulatory boards and entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs, including athlete agents. This bill would enact the Athletic Training Practice Act, which, until January 1, 2028, would establish the California Board of Athletic Training within the Department of Consumer Affairs to exercise licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions under the act. The bill would prohibit a person from practicing as an athletic trainer or using certain titles or terms without being licensed by the board, subject to limited exceptions. The bill would define the practice of athletic training, specify requirements for licensure as an athletic trainer, and would require a licensed athletic trainer to practice only in collaboration with a physician and surgeon. The bill would provide that an athletic trainer license would be valid for 2 years and subject to renewal, and would authorize the board to deny, suspend, or revoke a license and to discipline a licensee for specified reasons. The bill would specify acts that constitute unprofessional conduct and would make it a misdemeanor for any person to violate the act, as specified. This bill would establish the Athletic Trainers Fund for the deposit of application and renewal fees, as specified, and would make those fees available to the board for the purpose of implementing the act's provisions upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Director of Consumer Affairs to seek and receive donations from the California Athletic Trainers' Association or any other private individual or entity for the initial costs of implementing the act, and would specify that, if private funds are unavailable, would specify that a general fund or special fund loan may be used and repaid with fee revenue. This bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2028. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.