Frequently Asked Questions 1) What is "sunset" and how does it effect the Board of Athletic Training? 2) How does the Board of Athletic Training adopt rules? 3) Who must have a license to practice athletic training? 4) What must athletic trainers do to be licensed? 5) What standards do athletic trainers in Arizona have to meet to legally practice? 6) What if I don't like what the Board of Athletic Trainers is doing? 1) What is "sunset" and how does it effect the Board of Athletic Training? The sunset process is a process in which state agencies cease to function after a set period of time. In order to continue in operation, the laws establishing the agency must be reapproved by the Arizona Legislature. The Board of Athletic Training terminates on July 1, 2010 and the athletic training statutes are automatically repealed on January 1, 2011. If AzBAT is to continue to regulate athletic training the statutes must be reapproved before the above dates. Top of Page 2) How does the Board of Athletic Training adopt rules? Arizona law and rules from the Secretary of State outline a process for agency rulemaking. This process includes publication of proposed rules and a public comment period. AzBAT may adopt emergency rules not subject to the above rules that are effective for 90 days. Top of Page 3) Who must have a license to practice athletic training? A license to practice athletic training is required of all individuals who provide athletic training services or hold themselves out as athletic trainers. Individuals who are licensed under other professions are not covered under the Board of Athletic Training but they may not hold themselves out as athletic trainers. There are several categories of individuals exempt from licensure: a) Athletic trainers licensed in other states may practice in Arizona for a maximum of 60 days per year. b) Students enrolled in an athletic training education program. c) Athletic trainers who are employed in the U.S. armed forces, U.S. Public Health Service or U.S. Veteran's administration. Top of Page 4) What must athletic trainers do to be licensed? To be licensed in Arizona an athletic trainer will have to meet the legal qualifications and complete an application process. State law and AzBAT rules set the qualifications for athletic training licensure. Generally speaking, an athletic trainer who is currently certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification should meet the requirements for licensure. The application process will probably include submitting a written application, required fees, and documents (such as proof or NATA-BOC certification and college transcripts) to verify an applicants qualification for licensure. Top of Page 5) What standards will athletic trainers in Arizona have to meet to legally practice? Athletic trainers must comply with the athletic training statute. Secondly, AzBAT will adopt rules to enforce the athletic training statute. These rules must be based on the athletic training statute. In general, the standards set by the athletic training law are the same as those that certified athletic trainers must now meet. The law now allows enforcement of those standards within Arizona. Athletic trainers in Arizona need to be familiar with the athletic training law and rules adopted by AzBAT. Top of Page 6) What if I don't like what the Board of Athletic Trainers is doing? Contact an AzBAT member or the Executive Director first and make your complaint known. Options exist if you do not get the answers or results you expect after you make the initial contact. If you are an athletic trainer it would be advisable to report your complaint to your state professional organization. If you are not an athletic trainer or you are not satisfied with the results you receive you may also contact your state legislators and/or the Governor. AzBAT will try to be responsive to complaints but can not make exceptions to the law and the accepted standards of practice for athletic trainers. Top of Page