TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Chapter 313. ATHLETIC TRAINERS

Subchapter A. GENERAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS

25 TAC §313.7, §313.12

The Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers (board) adopts amendments to §§313.7 and 313.12 concerning the licensure and regulation of athletic trainers without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 11, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 9541), and therefore the sections will not be republished.

The sections are amended to delete the requirement that an applicant must have a current standard first aid certification to qualify for licensure and to establish that a licensee must successfully complete a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques course during each three-year continuing education reporting period.

The following comments were received during the comment period concerning the proposed amendments.

Comment: Concerning §313.7, an individual commenter supported the rules as proposed.

Response: The board agrees. No change was made as a result of this comment.

Comment: Concerning §313.7 and §313.12, the American Red Cross recommended the board require CPR training and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator on an annual basis.

Response: The purpose of the rule amendment is to provide competent licensees that are able to respond to life threatening incidents such as Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The board feels that the additional requirement of taking a CPR techniques course annually would not allow athletic trainers the flexibility to obtain balanced continuing education credit relating to the care, prevention and treatment of athletic injuries. However, the board will grant up to six continuing education credit hours per year to licensees that choose to take a First Aid and/or CPR techniques course. Licensees are not restricted to taking the courses only once during their three-year continuing education reporting period. No change was made as a result of this comment.

The amendments are adopted under the Occupations Code, Chapter 451, §451.103, which authorizes the board to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2003.

TRD-200301288

Natalie Steadman

Chair, Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers

Texas Department of Health

Effective date: March 12, 2003

Proposal publication date: October 11, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236