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Maryland Board of Physicians


Athletic Trainers

Anyone practicing athletic training in Maryland is required to be licensed through the Maryland Board of Physicians. A licensed athletic trainer also needs to have an Evaluation and Treatment Protocol with his/her supervising physician, which must be submitted to and approved by the Board.

The applicant shall complete an online application, inclusive of the following:

  1. Be of good moral character.
  2. Be at least 18 years old.
  3. Pay the application fee.
  4. Graduation from an athletic trainer 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. Criminal History Records Check
The Board will waive the education requirements if an individual was certified by the BOC before October 1, 2012, and is currently in good standing.

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

Is a document that is executed by the supervising physician and an athletic trainer (AT) that includes, but is not limited to a description of the athletic trainer's and the supervising physician's qualifications, the setting in which an athletic trainer may practice, supervision treatment mechanisms and treatment procedures the athletic trainer may perform. Click here to download the Evaluation and Treatment Protocol.

Because the statute requires the Board to approve the evaluation and treatment protocols, the process may take up to 6 weeks. Please plan accordingly.

Specialized tasks are tasks/procedures that require additional training beyond the basic AT education.

Yes. The Board receives protocols daily. However, if the Board does not receive them prior to the established deadline date, the protocol will be placed on the Board's next available agenda for approval.

Yes.

It can, but it is not recommended. In order to complete the evaluation and treatment protocol process, there must be a license number. 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 evaluation and treatment 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.

A supervising physician is a Maryland licensed physician authorized by the Board to supervise one or more ATs.

An alternate supervising physician (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 evaluation and treatment protocol on file with the Board.

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

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

A supervising physician that authorizes the athletic trainer to accept a referral from a non-supervising physician or other licensed health care practioner if:
  1. The supervising physician specifies in the Protocol that the athletic trainer may accept the referral;
  2. The non-supervising physician or other licensed health care practioner has seen the athlete and has acknowledged in writing that the care will be provided;
  3. The duties are within the scope of an athletic trainer; and
  4. The duties are among the duties delegated in the evaluation and treatment protocol.

An AT may accept an outside referral from a non-supervising physician or licensed health care provider if:
  1. The supervising physician 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 evaluation and treatment protocol.

The SP shall terminate the evaluation and treatment protocol in their Practitioner Profile  and provide the following:
  1. Termination effective date; and
  2. Provide reason for termination, including a description of conduct or incident that resulted in the termination; and
  3. Indicate if the termination was discipline related.
If possible, the protocol should not be terminated before a new one is approved by the Board. If the protocol is terminated prior to obtaining approval for a new protocol, the AT must cease practicing until the AT receives approval from the Board.

In the event of a sudden departure, incapacity, or death of PSP, a designated ASP may assume the role of the PSP by submitting a new evaluation and treatment protocol to the Board within 15 days.

Click to view the Regulations.

The practice 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 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 ofnonathletic injuries or disease.

A physician or an employer shall notify the Board in the Practitioner Profile within 10 days of the termination of an athletic trainer for reasons that would be grounds for discipline under this subtitle.

If your primary supervising physician's license expires, your ETP becomes invalid. You must submit a new ETP with a Maryland licensed physician to the Board. The ETP must be approved by the Board 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.

The AT must provide the Board with proof and attestation of the coursework and didactic training required under the Maryland Statute for dry needling.

The Board shall issue approval to perform dry needling to a licensed athletic trainer who provides proof of completion of at least 80 hours of instruction in a continuing education course approved by:

  1. The National Athletic Trainers' Association
  2. The Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, or
  3. The United States Armed Forces

Of the 80 hours of instruction, at least 40 hours shall be 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. Appropriate Documentation of Dry Needling.

The AT must also attest to and provide proof of 40 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 (5) years.

An AT previously approved for dry needling will have to complete this form for the new physician. The new physician has to delegate dry needling to the AT and accept responsibility.

An applicant may not be required to provide additional evidence of english proficiency if the applicant holds a valid, unrestricted license, certification, or registration from another state that requires evidence of english proficiency for licensure, certification, or registration.

Resources

Fees

Licenses $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).

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