The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board University of Findlay AT Program

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board2 Topics to Cover  Purpose of Regulation  Role of the Board  Licensure Process  Keeping Your License  The Board vs. the Professional Association  Other Important AT Issues

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board3 Opening Statements  All I need to do to practice in Ohio is pass the BOC certification exam and become an ATC.  I’ll be fine as long as I meet the requirements to renew my BOC certification.  There’s no difference between an ATC and an LAT.  My certification is more important than my license.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board4 The Purpose of Regulation…  Regulation is intended to: Ensure public protection; Offer assurance to public that practitioner is competent to provide safe services; and Provide a means to discipline individuals who fail to comply with the profession’s standards. *Schmitt, Kara & Shimberg, Benjamin. (1996). Demystifying Occupational and Professional Regulation. Lexington, KY: The Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board5 Major Responsibilities of the Board  Establish Entrance Requirements Education Training and Experience Assessing initial competence  Rule Making  Discipline  Assuring Continued Competence

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board6 Role of the Board The mission of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board is to actively promote and protect the health of the citizens of Ohio through effective regulation of the professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic training.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board7 The Board’s Authority  The Revised Code empowers the Board to regulate the professions of OT, PT, & AT.  Board members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms.  The law authorizes the Board to adopt administrative rules (Administrative Code).  Authorizes hiring an Executive Director.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board8 OTPTAT Board Info  Joint Board consisting of an Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Section  Total of 8 full-time staff 2 Admin Staff, 3 Investigative Staff, 3 Licensure Staff  AT Section has 5 Section members

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board9 Board Composition – AT Section MemberCityTerm ExpiresTerm Vince O’Brien AT Section Chair Columbus20123rd Rebekah Bower AT Section Secretary Centerville20111st Aaron GalpertWadsworth20101st Brian HortzPataskala20111st Jason Dapore Physician Member Columbus20101st All terms expire on Aug. 27 of designated year. Pursuant to ORC , members shall not serve for more than 3 consecutive terms.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board10 Is This Within My Scope of Practice?  Contact the Board if you have any questions, but realize… There are no licensed practitioners on staff; We aren’t lawyers & can’t give legal advice; Staff will often suggest you send your question in writing (via mail or ) for an answer.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board11 Certification vs. Licensure  The AT Section of the Ohio OTPTAT Board issues licenses to practice as an athletic trainer in the State of Ohio.  The BOC certifies individuals as ATC’s to people who meet their requirements for certification.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board12 Certification vs. Licensure  You MUST hold a valid license issued by the AT Section of the Ohio OTPTAT Board to legally practice athletic training in the State of Ohio.  Certification  Licensure

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board13 Ohio Revised Code Requirements  R.C (B) states: “Athletic trainer" means a person who meets the qualifications…for licensure and who is employed by an educational institution, professional or amateur organization, athletic facility, or health care facility to practice athletic training.  R.C states: “No person shall claim to the public to be an athletic trainer…or otherwise engage in the practice of athletic training, unless the person is licensed as an athletic trainer pursuant to this chapter.”

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board14 Licensure vs. Certification  Although you need a state license to practice, as part of the initial application process, you will need to apply for BOC certification to take the BOC Certification Exam.  Upon passing the BOC Exam, you will receive certification and may call yourself an ATC. This does not mean you can legally practice in Ohio without a license.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board15 Licensure  If you practice with BOC Certification, but not Ohio licensure, you will be disciplined for practicing athletic training without a license!!

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board16 Licensure vs. Certification  Once you receive your license to practice in Ohio, BOC certification is not required to renew your license to practice.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board17 Licensure Requirements in Ohio What is required to be licensed as an AT?  Graduation from a CAATE accredited athletic training program.  Submission of the licensure application, including the application fee.  Passage of the BOC certification exam.  Note: Effective March 24, 2008, all applicants for initial licensure need a criminal records check conducted by both the BCI and FBI.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board18 Licensure in Other States  Every state that licenses athletic trainers has their own laws and regulations.  Before working in any state, determine that state’s licensure requirements and practice restrictions.  Not every state licenses athletic trainers. Some states allow ATs to legally work if they hold current BOC certification and register with the state. Some states have no mention of AT in the law.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board19 Licensure in Other States  38 states require a license to practice athletic training  5 states require certification (KY, LA, NY, PA, SC)  3 states require registration (CO, MN, OR)  1 state has exemption in law (HI)  3 states do not regulate the practice of athletic training (AK, CA, WV)

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board20 State Application Information In this state: If you’re applying in another state: to obtain a directory of State AT Boards

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board21 Submitting the Application  Applicants for initial licensure can submit a paper application or apply on-line  Paper applications can be downloaded from the Board’s website  Apply on-line through the Ohio e-License Center Select “Application Site” option

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board22

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board23

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board24 Criminal Records Checks  HB 104 requires the Board to receive the results of a criminal records check before issuance of a license.  The law requires the applicant to submit the results of a criminal records check conducted by both the FBI and Ohio BCI.  Only applies to initial license applications. No fingerprints needed for renewal or reinstatement. 

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board25

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board26

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board27

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board28 I Have My License. Now What?  Your first renewal: Check your authorization to practice letter to determine when your initial license expires. All PT licenses expire on January 31 of even numbered years.  If initial issue date is on or before October 1, 2009, your license will expire on 1/31/2010.  If initial issue date is after October 1, 2009, your license will expire on 1/31/2012.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board29 I Have My License. Now What?  PT Licensees (OAC ): You are exempt from CE for first renewal. Must submit 24 contact hours of CE. All CE activities must have an Ohio Approval Number (issued by OPTA). All CE must be completed in 24-month period ending on January 31.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board30 I Have My License. Now What?  What happens on February 1? If you did not renew, your license automatically expires. Renewal means the Board received AND processed your renewal application. To return to active practice in Ohio, you must submit a reinstatement application.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board31 Continuing Education  Rules and of the Ohio Administrative Code govern the continuing education requirements.  CE requirements for the Board vary from those required by BOC.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board32 Continuing Education (cont’d)  Ohio law does not require pre-approval of CE courses.  According to rule , a CE course is usually considered an acceptable learning activity if it is directly related to the clinical practice, management, or education of athletic trainers.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board33 Disciplining Licensees  Aside from licensure, discipline is most important function of boards.  The law limits the violations that the board can take disciplinary action for and limits types of disciplinary action. Ex: Ohio OTPTAT Board had no authority to levy fines prior to April 6, 2007 (HB 403).

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board34 Disciplinary Process  Licensees guaranteed due process rights. All actions must follow ORC Chapter 119.  Board receives and investigates complaint. Board member, enforcement staff, AAG review investigation findings.  Notice of Opportunity for Hearing issued.  Administrative hearing conducted by Hearing Examiner.  Full Board reviews Hearing Examiner findings.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board35 Disciplinary Process  Board issues Adjudication Order. Specifies the violation and the disciplinary action taken.  Licensee may appeal order to court of common pleas.  Most investigations settled via consent agreement in lieu of formal hearing.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board36 OTPTAT v. BOC v. OATA The Alphabet Soup of the Profession  OTPTAT is your state regulatory agency. It licenses individuals and enforces the practice act.  BOC is a certification entity. Certification allows a practitioner to use the credentials ATC. It is not mandatory that you hold certification.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board37 OTPTAT v. BOC v. OATA  OATA is the state professional association. Along with the NATA, it advocates on the state/federal level for the profession.  The professional association  the licensing board.  State licensure does not require OATA membership.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board38 Role of the Team Physician  Referral relationship must exist between AT and team physician for care of that team’s athletes. Revised Code section and Administrative Code rule  ATs employed by colleges, universities, high schools, other scholastic institutions, and professional organizations/clubs function under this referral relationship.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board39 Role of the Team Physician  This relationship should consist of: A protocol of care communicated between the team physician and the athletic trainer  This relationship should include procedures for: Prevention, recognition, assessment, management, treatment, disposition, and reconditioning of athletic injuries.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board40 Role of the AT for Visiting Teams  Athletic trainers may provide visiting teams, traveling without an athletic trainer or a team physician, with first aid and emergency coverage only.  They should not provide treatments without an appropriate referral or make return to participation decisions for visiting athletes.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board41 Role of the Coach in Taping Injuries  Taping an athlete can be accomplished by many different individuals, such as athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, coaches, and even other athletes.  Athletes sometimes request to be taped by a prophylactic measure or as a ritual for participation.  Prophylactic taping is not care of an injury  It does not call for the degree of skill in selection of taping method or application, as might be used by a licensed health care practitioner.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board42 Role of the Coach in Taping Injuries  Why an athletic is being taped is determining factor in deciding who is permitted to tape  If a taping or strapping/wrapping procedure or application is necessary as part of a regime of the care of an injury, this is only to be done by a licensed health care practitioner.  With increasing the standards of care for athletes, there are situations that call for taping as care of an injury, as required to participate, as determined by a referral source. Such a directive or prescribed method of care should only be applied by a licensed health care practitioner.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board43 How may an AT function in the Clinic Setting?  Under an AT Referral from an accepted practitioner, the AT functions independently and is responsible for documentation  Provide athletic training services (evaluation and treatment) based upon physician referral

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board44 How may an AT function in the Clinic Setting?  Under a PT Referral, the athletic trainer functions as “Other Licensed Personnel”  AT cannot be assigned own physical therapy caseload without supervising PT having direct contact with each patient each visit.  Under a PT referral, “Other Licensed Personnel” have limits on making adjustments to the established plan of care

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board45 Change of Address  Ohio law requires all licensees to notify the Board, in writing, of a change of address within THIRTY days of the change.  Failure to notify the Board, could result in the delay of the processing of your renewal application.

March 9, 2010OTPTAT Board46 Contacting the Board  You may contact the Board by any of the following methods: Internet: Phone: Fax: PT Section Ohio OTPTAT Board 77 S. High Street, 16th Floor Columbus, OH