HB 314: Professions and businesses; athletic trainers; revise and update definitions

Georgia law regulates athletic trainers, people who help prevent, evaluate, and treat injuries related to physical activity, under a physician's direction. This bill updates that law's definitions and requirements. It broadens the definition of an 'athletic injury' to cover any 'condition' arising from physical activity rather than just an 'injury,' and removes an old exemption that let school teachers, coaches, or volunteers avoid licensure if they did not call themselves athletic trainers. The bill also changes how students training to become athletic trainers can work. Instead of vaguely worded student-trainer roles, it requires that anyone enrolled in an accredited athletic training program be under the 'direct supervision' of a physician or licensed athletic trainer, meaning that supervisor must be physically present and immediately available. It also updates licensing rules so the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers approves an existing certification exam rather than writing its own, requires applicants to graduate from an accredited program or show equivalent credentials, and removes an outdated grandfather clause for licenses issued before July 1, 2004.

• Broadens the definition of 'athletic injury' to include any 'condition' resulting from physical activity, not just an injury.
• Removes the exemption that let teachers, coaches, or volunteers avoid athletic trainer licensure as long as they did not present themselves as athletic trainers.
• Requires athletic training students to work under the 'direct supervision' of a physician or licensed athletic trainer, defined as the supervisor being physically present and immediately available.
• Changes the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers' role from preparing its own licensing exam to approving an existing certification exam for applicants.
• Updates license qualification rules so applicants must graduate from an accredited athletic training program or submit equivalent credentials approved by the board.
• Repeals an outdated provision that let people licensed before July 1, 2004 keep their license without meeting graduation requirements.

Licensed and prospective athletic trainers in Georgia, students enrolled in accredited athletic training programs, the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers, physicians who supervise athletic trainers, and school teachers, coaches, or volunteers who previously relied on the licensure exemption.

Athletic training students would need a supervisor physically present rather than just generally overseeing them, which could change how schools and clinics staff athletic training programs. Removing the teacher and coach exemption means more people working with athletes could need a state license.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 43-5-1's definitions, changing 'injury' to 'condition' and removing the teacher/coach/volunteer licensure exemption.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 43-5-6 so the board approves a certification exam instead of preparing and conducting its own exam.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 43-5-7 to require athletic training students to work under a physician's or licensed trainer's direct supervision, defined as physical presence and immediate availability.
• Section 4 amends O.C.G.A. § 43-5-8's licensing qualifications, requiring graduation from an accredited program or equivalent credentials, and repeals the pre-2004 grandfather clause.
• Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-04House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-03-04House Third Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-26House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
5. 2025-02-11House Second Readers (House)
6. 2025-02-10House First Readers (House)
7. 2025-02-06House Hopper (House)

• John LaHood (R, HD-175)Primary sponsor
• Alan Powell (R, HD-33)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)
• Chas Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Dexter Sharper (D, HD-177)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   93 yea, 77 nay (8 not voting, 2 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #152

• athletic trainers
• professional licensing
• sports medicine
• medical supervision