Athletic Trainers Licensure Act

The laws and regulations listed on this website are not to be considered the official authority on the current law. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this information, for legal purposes the law should be obtained from the Kansas statute books and the regulations from the Kansas Secretary of State's Administrative Regulations.

65-6901. Citation of act.
65-6902. Definitions.
65-6903. Unlawful representations; penalty for violation.
65-6904. Unlicensed practice of healing arts not authorized.
65-6905. State board of healing arts to administer act; rules and regulations, registry.
65-6906. Licensure as an athletic trainer; application; qualifications; registration without examination.
65-6907. Qualifications for licensure.
65-6908. Contracts to obtain information about courses of study and clinical experience.
65-6909. Licensure; expiration and renewal; notice; fees; reinstatement of canceled license; rules and regulations.
65-6910. Fees.
65-6911. Denial, suspension, limitation, refusal to renew, probation, reprimand or revocation of a license; grounds.
65-6912. Athletic trainers council established; appointment; terms; compensation.
65-6913. Injunction.
65-6914. Severability.

65-6901. Citation of act.

K.S.A. 65-6901 through 65-6914 shall be known and may be cited as the athletic trainers licensure act.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 1; July 1.

65-6902. Definitions.

As used in this act:

"Board" means the state board of healing arts.
"Athletic training" means the practice of injury prevention, physical evaluation, emergency care and referral or physical reconditioning relating to athletic activity.
"Athletic trainer" means a person licensed under this act.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 2; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 2; July 1.

65-6903. Unlawful representations;penalty for violation.

It shall be unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this act as an athletic trainer or whose license has been suspended or revoked to use, in connection with such person's name or place of business, the words: "Athletic trainer" or "athletic trainer licensed" or "licensed athletic trainer" or "certified athletic trainer" or the letters "A.T." or "A.T.L.", "L.A.T." or "ATC", or any other words, letters, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying that such person is an athletic trainer or who in any way, orally, in writing, in print or by sign, directly or by implication represents oneself as an athletic trainer.
Any violation of this section shall constitute a class B nonperson misdemeanor.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 3; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 3; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 1; July 1.

65-6904. Unlicensed practice of healing arts not authorized.

Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize the unlicensed practice of the healing arts by any person licensed under this act.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 4; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 4; July 1.

65-6905. State board of healing arts to administer act; rules and regulations, registry.

The board, in the manner hereinafter provided, shall administer the provisions of this act.
The board may adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this act for the administration and enforcement for this act and may prescribe forms which shall be issued in the administration of this act. The rules and regulations shall include standards for approval of an educational course of study and clinical experience, continuing education criteria, practice protocols, criteria for licensure procedures for the examination of applicants, and for professional conduct and discipline.
The board shall maintain a registry of names and addresses of all individuals who are currently licensed under the athletic trainers licensure act.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 5; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 5; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 2; July 1.

65-6906. Licensure as an athletic trainer; application; qualifications; reciprocity; practice protocol required to be filed with board; temporary permit.

Applications for licensure as an athletic trainer shall be made in writing to the board on a form and in the manner prescribed by the board. Each application shall be accompanied by the required fee, which shall not be refundable. Each application shall contain such information necessary to enable the board to judge the qualifications of the applicant for licensure.
The applicant is entitled to licensure as an athletic trainer if the applicant possesses the qualifications set forth under K.S.A. 65-6907 and amendments thereto, pays the licensure fee established by the board and has not committed an act which constitutes ground for denial of licensure.
The board may issue a license as an athletic trainer without examination to an applicant:
1. Who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of being licensed, registered or certified in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country and of having passed an examination in athletic training before a similarly lawfully authorized examining board in athletic training of another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country if the standards for the examination and for licensure, registration or certification in athletic training in such other state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country are determined by the board to be at least equivalent to those of this state; or
2. who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of having been engaged in the practice of athletic training in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country and passed an examination in athletic training by the national athletic trainers' association board of certification, inc. or other recognized national voluntary credentialing body which examination the board finds is at least equivalent to the examination approved by the board under K.S.A. 65-6907, and amendments thereto, and who is certified by the national athletic trainers' association board of certification, inc. or other recognized national voluntary credentialing body which certification the board finds was issued based on standards at least equivalent to the standards for licensure as an athletic trainer in this state; and
3. who, at the time of making such application has not been subject to discipline or does not have a disciplinary action pending resulting from the practice of athletic training in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country; and
4. who, at the time of making such application, pays to the board a fee as prescribed, no part of which shall be returned.
As a condition of performing the functions and duties of an athletic trainer in this state, each licensed athletic trainer shall file a practice protocol with the board. The practice protocol shall be signed by each person licensed by the board to practice the healing arts who will delegate to the athletic trainer acts which constitute athletic training and shall contain such information as required by rules and regulations adopted by the board.
The board may issue a temporary permit to an applicant for licensure as an athletic trainer who meets the requirements for licensure as an athletic trainer as required by K.S.A. 65-6907, and amendments thereto, or who meets all the requirements for licensure except examination and who pays to the board the temporary permit fee as required under K.S.A. 65-6910, and amendments thereto. Such temporary permit shall expire six months from the date of issue or on the date that the board approves or denies the application for licensure, whichever occurs first. No more than one such temporary permit shall be granted to any one person.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 6; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 6; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 3; July 1.

65-6907. Qualifications for licensure.

An applicant for licensure as an athletic trainer shall give proof that the applicant has:

Received a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree with a major course of study in an athletic training curriculum approved by the board; and
passed an examination in athletic training approved by the board.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 7; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 7; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 4; July 1.

65-6908. Contracts to obtain information about courses of study and clinical experience.

The board may contract with investigative agencies, commissions or consultants to assist the board in obtaining information about courses of study and clinical experience to be approved by the board under K.S.A. 65-6907 and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 8; July 1.

65-6909. Licensure; expiration and renewal; notice; fees; reinstatement of canceled license; rules and regulations; inactive license.

An applicant who meets the requirements for licensure pursuant to this act, has paid the licensure fee and has otherwise complied with the provisions of this act shall be licensed by the board.
Licenses issued pursuant to this act shall expire on the date established by rules and regulations of the board unless revoked prior to that time. A license shall be renewed in the manner prescribed by the board.
At least 60 days before the expiration of the license of an athletic trainer, the board shall notify the licensee of the expiration by mail, addressed to the licensee's last mailing address, as noted upon the board's records. If the licensee fails to pay the renewal fee and submit an application at least 30 days prior to the date of expiration of the license, the licensee shall be given a second notice that the licensee's license will expire and the license may be renewed only if an additional renewal fee is received by the board within the 30-day period following the date of expiration and that if both fees are not received by the date of expiration the license shall be canceled for failure to renew and shall be reissued only after the athletic trainer has been reinstated under subsection (d).
Any licensee who allows the licensee's license to be canceled by failing to renew as herein provided may be reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement fee, filing an updated practice protocol and upon submitting evidence of satisfactory completion of any applicable continuing education requirements established by the board. The board shall adopt rules and regulations for reinstatement of persons whose licenses have been canceled for failure to renew. Renewal of canceled licenses or reinstatement of licenses may include additional testing, training or education as the board deems necessary to establish the person's present ability to perform the functions or duties of an athletic trainer.
There is hereby created the designation of an inactive license. The board is authorized to issue an inactive license to any licensee who makes written application for such license on a form provided by the board and remits the application fee established pursuant to K.S.A. 65-6910, and amendments thereto. The board may issue an inactive license only to a person who meets all the requirements for a license as an athletic trainer and who does not perform the functions and duties of an athletic trainer in this state. An inactive license shall not entitle the holder to engage in active practice as an athletic trainer in this state. The provisions of subsections (b), (c) and (d) of K.S.A. 65-6909, and amendments thereto, relating to expiration, renewal and reinstatement of a license shall be applicable to an inactive license issued under this subsection. Each inactive licensee may apply to engage in active practice by filing a practice protocol required by subsection (d) of K.S.A. 65-6906, and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 9; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 8; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 5; July 1.

65-6910. Fees.

The board shall charge and collect in advance fees provided for in this act as fixed by the board by rules and regulations, subject to the following limitations:
- Application and license fee based upon certificate of prior examination, not more than . . . . $80
- Annual renewal fee, not more than . . . . $70
- Additional renewal fee, not more than . . . . $75
- Reinstatement fee, not more than . . . . $80
- Certified copy of license, not more than . . . . $15
- Temporary permit . . . . $25
The board shall charge and collect in advance fees for any examination administered by the board under the athletic trainers licensure act as fixed by the board by rules and regulations in an amount equal to the cost to the board of the examination and its administration. If the examination is not administered by the board, the board may require that fees paid for any examination under the athletic trainers licensure act be paid directly to the examination service by the person taking the examination.
The board shall remit all moneys received from fees, charges or penalties to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury. Ten percent of each such deposit shall be credited to the state general fund and the balance shall be credited to the healing arts fee fund. All expenditures from such fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the president of the board or by a person designated by the president of the board.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 10; L. 1997, ch. 94, § 6; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 271; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 9; L. 2008, ch. 32, § 6; L. 2011, ch. 53, § 37; July 1.

65-6911. Denial, suspension, limitation, refusal to renew, probation, reprimand or revocation of a license; grounds.

The board may deny, suspend, limit, refuse to renew, place on probation, reprimand or revoke any license granted under the athletic trainers licensure act or take other disciplinary action as the board may deem proper for any of the following reasons:
1. Use of drugs or alcohol, or both, to an extent that impairs the individual's ability to engage in athletic training;
2. the individual has been convicted of a felony and, after investigation, the board finds that the individual has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to merit the public trust;
3. use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing any license issued pursuant to the provisions of the athletic trainers licensure act or in obtaining permission to take any examination given or required pursuant to the provisions of the athletic trainers licensure act;
4. obtaining or attempting to obtain any fee, charge, tuition or other compensation by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;
5. incompetence, misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty in the performance of the functions or duties of an athletic trainer;
6. violation of, or assisting or enabling any individual to violate, any provision of this act or any rule and regulation adopted under such act;
7. impersonation of any individual holding a license under the athletic trainers licensure act;
8. negligent or intentional violation of the provisions of this act or the rules and regulations adopted under this act;
9. violation of any professional trust or confidence; and
10. the individual has committed unprofessional conduct as defined by rules and regulations adopted by the board.
Any action authorized by this section shall be taken in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 11; L. 2004, ch. 24, § 10; July 1.

65-6912. Athletic trainers council established; appointment; terms; compensation.

There is hereby established an athletic trainers council to advise the board in carrying out the provisions of this act. The council shall consist of five members, all residents of the state of Kansas appointed as follows: One member shall be a licensee of the board, appointed by the board, who has entered into a practice protocol with an athletic trainer; one member shall be the president of the board or a board member designated by the president; and three members shall be athletic trainers appointed by the governor. The governor, insofar as possible, shall appoint persons from different geographical areas.
If a vacancy occurs on the council, the appointing authority of the position which has become vacant shall appoint a person of like qualifications to fill the vacant position for the unexpired term, if any. The Kansas athletic trainers' society shall recommend the names of athletic trainers to the governor in a number equal to at least twice the positions or vacancies to be filled, and the governor may appoint members to fill the positions or vacancies from the submitted list.
Members of the council appointed by the governor on and after the effective date of this act shall be appointed for terms of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualified except that of the members first appointed by the governor one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one shall be appointed for a term of two years and one shall be appointed for a term of three years, as designated by the governor. The member appointed by the state board of healing arts shall serve at the pleasure of the state board of healing arts. A member designated by the president of the state board of healing arts shall serve at the pleasure of the president.
Members of the council attending meetings of the council, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the council, shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 75-3223 and amendments thereto from the healing arts fee fund.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 12; July 1.

65-6913. Injunction.

When it appears to the board that any person is violating any of the provisions of this act, the board may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for an injunction against such violation without regard to whether proceedings have been or may be instituted before the board or whether criminal proceedings have been or may be instituted.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 13; July 1.

65-6914. Severability.

If any section of this act, or any part thereof, is adjudged to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder or any other section or part thereof.

History: L. 1995, ch. 146, § 14; July 1.