Maryland Logo

Maryland Board of Physicians


Athletic Trainers

Individuals intending to practice athletic training in Maryland must meet the requirements for licensure to obtain a license through the Maryland Board of Physicians. Additionally, licensed athletic trainers must have a Board-approved Evaluation and Treatment Protocol (Protocol) with their supervising physician.

The applicant shall complete an application supplied by the Board:
  1. Be of good moral character.
  2. Be at least 18 years old.
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. A bachelor's or master's degree from an Athletic Trainer (AT) Educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), its predecessor, or its successor.
  5. Current certification by the Board of Certification (BOC).
  6. Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the Board.
  7. Verification of other state licenses, certifications or registrations in athletic training or any other health profession.
  8. Complete a criminal history records check.

The application process, on average, takes approximately 3‐6 weeks. However, the process may take longer depending on the applicant's circumstances or if the applicant does not provide the required documentation on time.

The Protocol is a document that is executed by the supervising physician and an athletic trainer (AT) that includes, but is not limited to, identification and licensure information of the AT and supervising physicians, the setting in which an AT may practice, supervision treatment mechanisms, and treatment procedures the AT may perform. Click here to download the Protocol.

Specialized tasks are tasks that the supervising physician authorizes the AT to perform that require additional education, training, and experience beyond the basic athletic trainer education program required for licensure. The education, training, and experience must be appropriate to perform the task and appropriate to the practice setting.

Yes, but it is not recommended because ATs need a license number before the Board can process the Protocol. To obtain a license number, the AT must submit an application for licensure and meet all of the qualifications for licensure.

Yes, you can continue to work under your existing Protocol while you wait for the new one to be approved. However, you may only do so if you're still working under the supervision of the supervising physician listed on that Protocol. If you're no longer working under the supervision of the supervising physician listed on that Protocol, you can not work, and you must log in to your Practitioner Profile to terminate the existing Protocol.

An SP is a Maryland-licensed physician authorized by the Board to supervise one or more ATs.

An ASP is a physician designated by the AT's supervising physician to supervise an AT during the absence of the supervising physician in accordance with the Protocol on file with the Board.

A non-supervising physician is a Maryland-licensed physician who is not the SP of the AT.

No, unless the non-supervising physician has been designated as an ASP by the SP.

A licensed health care practitioner is a practitioner licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice a health occupation, e.g., physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, or physical therapist.

No.

An outside referral a request for treatment from a non-supervising physician or licensed health care practitioner.

An AT may accept an outside referral from a non-supervising physician or licensed health care provider if:
  1. The SP specifies in the Protocol that the AT may accept a referral;
  2. The non-supervising physician or licensed health care provider has seen the athlete and has written an order for the care of the athlete;
  3. The treatment procedures are within the scope of practice of the AT; and
  4. The treatment procedures are included in the Protocol.

The SP and AT must notify the Board within ten (10) days of the termination of a Protocol through the Practitioner Profile  and provide the following information:
  • Name and license number of SP and AT; and
  • Reason for termination, including a description of conduct or incident that resulted in the termination.

Yes, in the event of a sudden departure, incapacity, or death of the SP, a designated ASP may assume the role of the SP by submitting a new Protocol to the Board within 15 days.

Click to view the Regulations.

Yes. The practice of athletic training does not include the practice of:
  1. Chiropractic, including adjustments, manipulation, or high-velocity mobilizations of the spine or extremities;
  2. Massage Therapy;
  3. Medicine;
  4. Occupational Therapy;
  5. Physical Therapy; or
  6. Podiatry
It also does not include the following: The reconditioning of systemic neurologic injuries, conditions, or disease; or, except for the conditioning of an athlete under the supervision of a treating physician, the treatment, rehabilitation, or reconditioning of nonathletic injuries or disease.

No. ATs are no longer restricted to treating athletes. The scope of practice for ATs was expanded to include the treatment of any athletic individual.

An athletic individual is an individual who participates in an athletic activity, a job function, or a job-related activity that requires physical strength, range of motion, flexibility, control, speed, stamina, or agility.

A physician or an employer shall notify the Board within ten (10) days of the termination of an athletic trainer for reasons that would be grounds for discipline.

If your SP license expires, your Protocol becomes invalid. You must submit a new Protocol with a Maryland-licensed physician to the Board. Board staff must preliminarily approve the completed Protocol before you may begin practicing athletic training.

Dry needling is the intramuscular manipulation of muscles and related tissues. This treatment is provided by a licensed AT approved by the Board to use this specialized task to treat patients.

    A. An AT must submit a completed Dry Needling Specialized Task Application with the following to the Board for review and approval:
      a. Proof of completion of at least 80 hours of continuing education instruction in a continuing education course approved by:
      1. The National Athletic Trainers' Association;
      2. The Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainers'; or
      3. The United States Armed Forces.
      b. With at least forty hours of instruction in the following courses:
      1. Theory and Application of Dry Needling;
      2. Dry Needling Technique, including Spine and Extremities;
      3. Dry Needling Indication and Contraindications;
      4. Infection Control, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Bloodborne Pathogen Protocol, and Safe Handling of Needles
      5. Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedures Related to Complications Associated with Dry Needling; and
      6. Course descriptions/objectives, and appropriate documentation for each content area.
    B. An AT will also be required to provide a completed attestation of a Hands-On Instruction and Competency form attesting to forty hours of practical, hands-on instruction in the application and technique of dry needling under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner who:
    1. Is approved to perform dry needling; and
    2. Has practiced dry needling for at least five years.

Yes. An AT previously approved for dry needling will have to complete this form for the new physician and submit it with a copy of the prior Board-approved dry needling letter. The new physician has to delegate dry needling to the AT and accept responsibility.

  1. Completion of an online reinstatement application.
  2. Payment of a reinstatement fee.
  3. Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the continuing education requirements or proof of maintenance of certification by the Board of Certification (BOC).
  4. Completing a criminal history records check.

Fifty (50) hours of approved continuing education credits earned during the two (2) years preceding the expiration of the athletic training license or proof of maintenance of certification by the BOC. (The continuing education requirement does not apply to the first renewal after initial licensure or reinstatement of licensure.)

If an AT fails to obtain the required continuing education credits, the Board may impose a fine of up to $100 for each credit the AT has not obtained.

If your license expires, your Protocol becomes invalid. You must reinstate your license and submit a new Protocol with a Maryland-licensed physician to the Board. The Board staff must preliminarily approve the completed Protocol before you begin practicing athletic training.

Resources

Fees

Licenses $200.00
Endorsement $200.00
Reinstatements $200.00
Renewals* $161.00
Evaluation & Treatment Protocols $100.00
Name Changes $25.00

*Includes a $26 assessment fee to fund the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) as required by law (MD Code Annotated Health Occ. §1-209).

Professional Contacts