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 application supplied by the Board, 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.
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.
  1. Completion of a reinstatement applicationpdf  approved by the Board.
  2. Payment of a reinstatement fee.
  3. Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the continuing education requirements.
  4. Verification from the Maryland Office of the Comptroller that the applicant has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions payable to the Comptroller or the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation or that the applicant has provided for payment in a manner satisfactory to the unit responsible for collection. (Maryland Health Occupations Code Annotated, § 1-213).
50 hours of approved continuing education credits, earned during the 2-year period preceding the expiration of the license for athletic training; and 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 up $100 for each credit the AT has not obtained.

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 report the termination of an evaluation and treatment protocol for any reason to the Board within 10 days of the termination and provide the following information on the E&T Protocol Termination formpdf :
  1. Name and license number of supervising physician and athletic trainer; and
  2. Reason for termination, including a description of conduct or incident that resulted in the termination.
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.
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 of nonathletic injuries or disease.
A physician or an employer shall notify the Board within 10 days of the terminationpdf  of an athletic trainer for reasons that would be grounds for discipline under this subtitle.
If your AT's license expires, your evaluation and treatment protocol (ETP). You must reinstate your license and 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.
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.

Fees

Initial 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).