Ohio House Approves Hall's Athletic Training Modernization Bill

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 176, legislation sponsored by State Reps. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Twp.) and Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.) that would revise the athletic training laws in Ohio.

Athletic trainers are licensed healthcare providers of physical medicine and rehabilitation who partner with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Under House Bill 176, athletic trainers would have the option to enter into a collaboration agreement with a physician or podiatrist to allow that athletic trainer to perform additional services and activities. The bill also makes additional changes to the law governing the practice of athletic training, including allowing for referrals to athletic training from additional practitioners. 

Hall noted the practice act for athletic trainers hasn’t been updated in 30 years. 

“House Bill 176 modernizes the practice act for Ohio’s athletic trainers in order to better reflect current practice and changes in athletic training education and training,” said Hall. “There are currently over 2,300 licensed athletic trainers in Ohio, and we should be able to fully utilize athletic trainers and their modern-day skills.”

In order for an individual to practice athletic training in Ohio, he or she must hold an athletic trainer’s license issues by the Board and be employed by an educational institution, professional or armature organization, athletic facility or health care facility.

The bill passed with a vote of 95-0 and now heads to the Senate for consideration