SB 175 Kansas Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Updating the definition of athletic trainer and providing an exemption for those licensed in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country to practice in Kansas.

SB 175 updates Kansas' definition of "athletic training" to include injury prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, and wellness promotion. It allows athletic trainers licensed in another state, D.C., territory, or foreign country to practice in Kansas without retaking exams if their credentials meet Kansas' standards, through two pathways: (1) equivalent licensure in another jurisdiction, or (2) certification by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The bill also exempts trainers accompanying visiting sports teams from full licensure requirements, provided they are already licensed elsewhere and serve only that team. These changes replace Kansas' previous licensing rules for athletic trainers, effective upon publication.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Signed Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Kansas laws governing athletic trainers by clarifying the definition of the profession and streamlining licensure requirements. It allows out-of-state and foreign-trained athletic trainers to obtain a Kansas license without taking a new exam if their credentials are equivalent to Kansas standards. The bill also adds a temporary permit option for those who haven't yet passed the exam and creates an exemption for athletic trainers traveling with teams to Kansas.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of practice by explicitly including wellness promotion, risk management, and research in the definition of athletic training. It significantly broadens eligibility by allowing licensure based on out-of-state credentials or temporary permits, rather than requiring all applicants to pass a new state examination.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'athletic training' to explicitly include wellness promotion, risk management, and research, ensuring these activities are legally recognized as part of the profession.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing the board to issue licenses without an examination to applicants who hold equivalent licenses or certifications from other states, the District of Columbia, territories, or foreign countries.

Created a new temporary permit option for applicants who meet all licensure requirements except the examination, allowing them to practice for up to six months while they prepare for the test.

EXEMPTIONS

Established an exemption from licensure requirements for individuals who travel with athletic teams or organizations from other states to provide services in Kansas.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for licensed athletic trainers to file a 'practice protocol' with the board, detailing which healing arts professionals will delegate tasks to them.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Mar 24, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on Friday, March 21, 2025
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Final Action - Passed; Yea 121, Nay 1, Absent 3
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 40, Nay 0
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.