This article is named the Athletic Trainer Compact and states its purposes, including expanding mobility, improving public access, and supporting interstate practice by licensed athletic trainers.
(a) This article shall be known and cited as the Athletic Trainer Compact. The purposes of this compact are to expand mobility of athletic training practice and improve public access to services by providing qualified licensed athletic trainers the ability to practice in other member states. This compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. (b) This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: (1) Increase public access to athletic training and enhance continuity of care by providing for the mutual recognition of other licenses issued by member states. (2) Provide an additional streamlined opportunity for interstate practice by licensed athletic trainers who meet compact uniform requirements. (3) Promote mobility and workforce development by eliminating the necessity for licenses in multiple states by providing for the mutual recognition of other licenses issued by member states. (4) Reduce administrative burdens on licensed athletic trainers and member states. (5) Enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety. (6) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating interstate practice of licensed athletic trainers. (7) Support relocating active military members and their spouses. (8) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information among member states. (9) Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to athletic training services. (10) Support the uniformity of licensed athletic trainer licensure requirements throughout the states. (11) Affirm the authority of all member states to hold a licensed athletic trainer accountable for abiding by the scope of practice in the state in which the patient is located at the time of care. (12) Require adherence to the model compact language in order to promote uniformity and ensure that all member states have accepted and are mutually obligated to the same terms.