Licensure Process

To become licensed as an athletic trainer in Tennessee a person must comply with the following procedures and requirements: (1) Grandfathering - Athletic trainers certified prior to May 9, 2000 must submit the documentation required by paragraphs (2)(f), (g) and (h) of this rule to be eligible to continue to practice as an athletic trainer and receive a license upon renewal of their existing certification. (2) Licensure by examination: (a) An application packet shall be requested from the Administrative Office. (b) An applicant shall respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form and submit it, along with all documentation and fees required by the form and rules, to the Administrative Office. It is the intent of this rule that activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing an application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously. (c) An applicant shall submit a clear, recognizable, recently taken bust photograph which shows the full head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulder up. (d) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that a graduate transcript, from an athletic trainer curriculum of a college or university approved by the Board, be submitted directly from the educational institution to the Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution. (e) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two recent (within the preceding 12 months) original letters from medical professionals, attesting to the applicant’s personal character and professional ethics on the signator’s letterhead. (f) An applicant shall have BOC submit directly to the Administrative Office satisfactory proof of BOC certification or proof of being eligible for that certification. (g) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0150-01 THE PRACTICE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS 1. Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state or municipality, except minor traffic violations. 2. The denial of professional licensure/certification application by any other state or the discipline of licensure/certification in any state. 3. Loss or restriction of licensure/certification. 4. Any civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under the country’s or state’s statutory common or case law. 5. Failure of any licensure or certification examination. (h) If an applicant holds or has ever held a license/certificate to practice any profession in any other state, the applicant shall cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement (verification of licensure/certification) from each such licensing board which indicates the applicant holds or held an active license/certificate and whether it is in good standing presently or was at the time it became inactive. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request this information be sent directly from each such licensing board to the Administrative Office. (i) An applicant shall submit the fees required in Rule 0150-01-.06. (j) An applicant shall cause to be submitted documentation of successful completion of the examinations for licensure as governed by Rule 0150-01-.08. This verification must be submitted by the examining agency directly to the Administrative Office. (k) The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (3) Licensure by Reciprocity. To become licensed in Tennessee as an athletic trainer based on licensure or certification in another state, an applicant must (a) Comply with all the requirements of paragraph (2) of this rule except subparagraph (j). (b) Be licensed or certified in a state that will license or certify athletic trainers who are licensed in Tennessee without examination; and (c) Hold a current, active athletic trainer license/certificate that is in good standing in another state; and (d) Pay the fee required by Rule 0150-01-.06; and (e) Cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (4) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by Rule 0150-01-.07.