ARTICLE 20:63
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Chapter
20:63:01 General provisions.
20:63:02 Licensure requirements.
20:63:03 Continuing education.
20:63:04 Ethics.
Declaratory Ruling: Declaratory Ruling of the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners dated September 21, 1994, was vacated by the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners by order of the board dated March 30, 2015.
CHAPTER 20:63:01
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section
20:63:01:01 Definitions.
20:63:01:02 Date of notice.
20:63:01:03 Filing of physician's written protocol.
20:63:01:04 Revision of physician's written protocol.
20:63:01:05 Repealed.
20:63:01:01. Definitions. Terms used in this article mean:
(1) "Team physician," a person licensed by the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners to practice medicine or osteopathy in this state and designated by an athletic team as its physician;
(2) "Physician's written protocol," a written statement by the team physician indicating the functions and procedures allowed to be performed by the athletic trainer under the direction of the team physician;
(3) "Athletic training course requirements," course work in the subject matter areas of prevention and care of athletic injuries and illnesses; evaluation of athletic injuries and illnesses; first aid and emergency care; therapeutic modalities; therapeutic exercise; human anatomy; human physiology; exercise physiology; kinesiology and biomechanics; nutrition; psychology; personal and community health; and instructional methods;
(4) "Athletic training," in addition to the skills listed in SDCL subdivision 36-29-1(1 ), the practice of athletic training includes the skills as listed in the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, Standards, and Procedures for Accreditation of Professional Programs in Athletic Training, 2020, Section IV.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017; 50 SDR 12, effective August 10, 2023.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-1, 36-29-3.
Reference: Commission on Accreditation on Athletic Training Education, Standards, and Procedures for Accreditation of Professional Programs in Athletic Training, 2020. Copies may be obtained from https://caate.net/Programs/Professional/Professional-Program-Standards.
20:63:01:02. Date of notice. The date of all notices required to be given to the board, unless otherwise specifically provided in this article, is the date upon which the document is received at the office of the board.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-17.
20:63:01:03. Filing of physician's written protocol. One copy of the physician's written protocol shall be maintained by each of the following persons or parties:
(1) The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners;
(2) The team physician;
(3) The athletic trainer.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented:SDCL 36-29-1.
20:63:01:04. Revision of physician's written protocol. The physician's written protocol may be modified from time to time if the team physician determines that through training or experience the functions and procedures performed by the athletic trainer should be revised.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented:SDCL 36-29-1(2).
20:63:01:05. Length of internship. Repealed.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986l; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
CHAPTER 20:63:02
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
Section
20:63:02:01 Application for licensure by examination.
20:63:02:02 Application for licensure by reciprocity.
20:63:02:03 Replacement of license.
20:63:02:04 Evidence of change of name.
20:63:02:05 Fees for licensure or renewal.
20:63:02:06 Examination.
20:63:02:01. Application for licensure by examination. An applicant for licensure by examination may apply for the examination following successful completion of athletic training course requirements. The examination shall test for proficiency in the area of knowledge and skill required in SDCL 36-29-1(1). The applicant shall apply on a form provided by the board at least seven weeks before the scheduled date of the examination. The application shall show that the applicant meets the legal requirements for licensing and shall be accompanied by the fee required by § 20:63:02:05. The board or its designated representative shall interview the candidate prior to the written examination. An applicant who has not successfully completed a course in therapeutic modalities must demonstrate competence in therapeutic modalities to a board-approved examiner.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-3.
20:63:02:02. Application for licensure by reciprocity. An applicant for licensure by reciprocity shall file an application with the board on forms provided by the board. The applicant shall submit a certified copy of the applicant's current valid license from another state or territory or proof of certification from the Board of Certification.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-5.
20:63:02:03. Replacement of license. If the original license or certificate of renewal is lost, misplaced, stolen, or destroyed, the licensee shall immediately report that fact to the board in writing. Upon the board's receipt of the statement by the licensee, verified under oath, detailing to the board's satisfaction circumstances making replacement necessary, the board may issue a duplicate of the original license or certificate of renewal.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-17.
20:63:02:04. Evidence of change of name. If, for any reason, a licensee's name changes, the licensee shall immediately file with the board a certified copy of the legal instrument which makes the change effective or other written evidence authenticated to the satisfaction of the board that a change in name has occurred. The board, upon surrender of the original license or certificate of renewal, shall reissue the license or certificate of renewal in the changed name.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-17.
20:63:02:05. Fees for licensure or renewal. The following fees for licensure as an athletic trainer shall be charged:
(1) An applicant applying for the initial license shall pay a fee of $100;
(2) An applicant for reexamination shall pay a fee of $50;
(3) An applicant for renewal of a license upon expiration shall pay a fee of $50.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 23 SDR 70, effective November 11, 1996.
General Authority:SDCL 36-29-6, 36-29-10, 36-29-11, 36-29-17.
20:63:02:06. Examination. The examination approved by the board is the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer certification exam.
Source: 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-3.
CHAPTER 20:63:03
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Section
20:63:03:01 Continuing education requirements.
20:63:03:02 Standards for continuing education.
20:63:03:03 Reporting continuing education.
20:63:03:01. Continuing education requirements. To qualify for renewal of a license upon its expiration as prescribed in SDCL 36-29-11, an applicant for renewal must obtain 25 hours of continuing education annually or maintain certification by the Board of Certification.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-14.
20:63:03:02. Standards for continuing education. The following standards shall be used to evaluate all hours of continuing education completed:
(1) Educational meetings or workshops designed specifically for athletic trainers or concerned with topics related to sports medicine. This category includes local, state, district, or national meetings. Ten hours of continuing education shall be awarded for every ten hours of program content;
(2) College course work completed after receiving a bachelor's degree. The course work must be related to improving the licensee's skills and knowledge of sports medicine. For each credit hour completed, five hours of continuing education shall be awarded;
(3) Maintenance of medically related certifications. Athletic trainers maintaining cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification for the three-year period shall be awarded five hours of continuing education. Those maintaining emergency medical technician certification for the three-year period shall be awarded ten hours of continuing education;
(4) Subscriptions to any of the journals specifically dealing with athletic training or sports medicine. For each subscription, five hours of continuing education shall be awarded.
Special athletic training projects and educational experiences not covered by the categories listed in this section may be submitted to the board for consideration. Credit for continuing education shall be awarded on the basis of merit to the athletic training profession and time involved in preparation.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-14.
20:63:03:03. Reporting continuing education. To demonstrate compliance with the continuing education requirements, each athletic trainer shall sign a statement to confirm completion of the required continuing education each year at renewal time, and shall present proof if requested by the board.
Source: 13 SDR 9, effective August 4, 1986; 34 SDR 93, effective October 17, 2007; 43 SDR 131, effective April 20, 2017.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-14, 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-14.
20:63:04:01. Ethics. A licensee under SDCL chapter 36-29 shall comply with the following code of ethics.
Practice Standards
Standard 1: Direction
The Athletic Trainer renders service or treatment under the direction of a physician.
Standard 2: Prevention
The Athletic Trainer understands and uses preventive measures to ensure the highest quality of care for every patient.
Standard 3: Immediate Care
The Athletic Trainer provides standard immediate care procedures used in emergency situations, independent of setting.
Standard 4: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Prior to treatment, the Athletic Trainer assesses the patient's level of function. The patient's input is considered an integral part of the initial assessment. The Athletic Trainer follows standardized clinical practice in the area of diagnostic reasoning and medical decision making.
Standard 5: Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
In development of a treatment program, the Athletic Trainer determines appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and/or reconditioning strategies. Treatment program objectives include long-and short-term goals and an appraisal of those which the patient can realistically be expected to achieve from the program. Assessment measures to determine effectiveness of the program are incorporated into the program.
Standard 6: Program Discontinuation
The Athletic Trainer, with collaboration of the physician, recommends discontinuation of the athletic training service when the patient has received optimal benefit of the program. The Athletic Trainer, at the time of discontinuation, notes the final assessment of the patient's status.
Standard 7: Organization and Administration
All services are documented in writing by the Athletic Trainer and are part of the patient's permanent records. The Athletic Trainer accepts responsibility for recording details of the patient's health status.
Code of Professional Responsibility
Code 1: Patient Responsibility
The Athletic Trainer or applicant:
1.1 Renders quality patient care regardless of the patient's race, religion, age, sex, nationality, disability social/economic status or any other characteristic protected by law
1.2 Protects the patient from harm, acts always in the patient's best interests and is an advocate for the patient's welfare
1.3 Takes appropriate action to protect patients from Athletic Trainers, other healthcare providers or athletic training students who are incompetent, impaired or engaged in illegal or unethical practice
1.4 Maintains the confidentiality of patient information in accordance with applicable law
1.5 Communicates clearly and truthfully with patients and other persons involved in the patient's program, including, but not limited to, appropriate discussion of assessment results, program plans and progress
1.6 Respects and safeguards his or her relationship of trust and confidence with the patient and does not exploit his or her relationship with the patient for personal or financial gain
1.7 Exercises reasonable care, skill and judgment in all professional work
Code 2: Competency
The Athletic Trainer or applicant:
2.1 Engages in lifelong, professional and continuing educational activities
2.2 Participants in continuous quality improvement activities
2.3 Complies with the most current BOC recertification policies and requirements
Code 3: Professional Responsibility
The Athletic Trainer or applicant:
3.1 Practices in accordance with the most current BOC Practice Standards
3.2 Knows and complies with applicable local, state and/or federal rules, requirements, regulations and/or laws related to the practice of athletic training
3.3 Collaborates and cooperates with other healthcare providers involved in a patient's care
3.4 Respects the expertise and responsibility of all healthcare providers involved in a patient's care
3.5 Reports any suspected or known violation of a rule, requirement, regulation or law by him/herself and/or by another Athletic Trainer that is related to the practice of athletic training, public health, and patient care or education
3.6 Reports any criminal convictions (with the exception of misdemeanor traffic offenses or traffic ordinance violations that do not involve the use of alcohol or drugs) and/or professional suspension, discipline or sanction received by him/herself or by another Athletic Trainer that is related to athletic training, public health, patient care or education
3.7 Complies with all BOC exam eligibility requirements and ensures that any information provided to the BOC in connection with any certification application is accurate and truthful
3.8 Does not, without proper authority, possess, use, copy, access, distribute or discuss certification exams, score reports, answer sheets, certificates, certificate or applicant files, documents or other materials
3.9 Is candid, responsible and truthful in making any statement to the BOC, and in making any statement in connection with athletic training to the public
3.10 Complies with all confidentiality and disclosure requirements of the BOC
3.11 Does not take any action that leads, or may lead, to the conviction, plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere (no contest) to any felony or to a misdemeanor related to public health, patient care, athletics or education; this includes, but is not limited to: rape, sexual abuse of a child or patient; actual or threatened use of a weapon of violence; the prohibited sale or distribution of a controlled substance, or its possession with the intent to distribute, or the use of the position of an Athletic Trainer to improperly influence the outcome or score of an athletic contest or event or in connection with any gambling activity
3.12 Cooperates with BOC investigations into alleged illegal or unethical activities; this includes but is not limited to, providing factual and non-misleading information and responding to requests for information in a timely fashion
3.13 Does not endorse or advertise products or services with the use of, or by reference to, the BOC name without proper authorization
Code 4: Research
The Athletic Trainer or applicant who engages in research:
4.1 Conducts research according to accepted ethical research and reporting standards established by public law, institutional procedures and/or the health professions
4.2 Protects the rights and well-being of research subjects
4.3 Conducts research activities with the goal of improving practice, education and public policy relative to the health needs of diverse populations, the health workforce, the organization and administration of health systems and healthcare delivery
Code 5: Social Responsibility
The Athletic Trainer or applicant:
5.1 Uses professional skills and knowledge to positively impact the community
Code 6: Business Practices
The Athletic Trainer or applicant:
6.1 Refrains from deceptive or fraudulent business practices
6.2 Maintains adequate and customary professional liability insurance
Source: 41 SDR 180, effective May 21, 2015.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-19.
Reference: Board of Certification Standards of Professional Practice, 2006. Copies may be obtained from http://www.bocatc.org/resources/standards-of-professional-practice.
20:63:04:03. Ethical considerations. The board may utilize the annotations and opinions included in the board of certification standards of professional conduct, 2006 as guidance in determining whether a licensee has violated professional ethical standards and conduct.
Source: 41 SDR 180, effective May 21, 2015.
General Authority: SDCL 36-29-17.
Law Implemented: SDCL 36-29-19.
