Continuing Education

All persons licensed as athletic trainers must comply with the following continuing education rules. (1) Continuing Education - Hours Required (a) All athletic trainers must complete fifty (50) hours of acceptable continuing education during the two (2) calendar years (January 1–December 31) that precede the licensure renewal year. (b) For applicants approved for initial licensure by examination, successfully completing the requirements of Rules 0150-01-.05 and 0150-01-.08, as applicable, shall constitute compliance with this rule for the period preceding their first license renewal. (c) For applicants approved for licensure by reciprocity, evidence demonstrating compliance with the continuing education requirements for their current, out-of-state active athletic trainer license or certificate shall constitute compliance with this rule for the period preceding their first license renewal. (d) Any individual course will not be counted toward the required hourly total more than once per continuing education cycle, regardless of the number of times the course is attended or completed by any individual during that cycle. (e) The Board may waive or otherwise modify the requirements of this rule in cases where there is retirement, illness, disability, or for other good cause that prevents a licensee from obtaining the requisite number of continuing education hours. Requests for waivers or modification should be sent in writing to the Board prior to the end of the continuing education cycle in which the continuing education is required to be obtained. (2) Continuing Education - Proof of Compliance (a) The due date for completion of the required continuing education is the December 31st immediately preceding the licensee’s license expiration date. (b) All athletic trainers must indicate, by their signature on the license renewal form, that they have completed the required number of continuing education hours in the continuing education cycle preceding renewal. An athletic trainer who falsely indicates on a renewal form that he or she has completed the required number of continuing education hours may be subject to discipline under T.C.A. § 63-24-107(b)(6) and Rule 0150-01-.15(1)(c). (c) All athletic trainers must retain documentation of completion of all continuing education hours. This documentation must be retained for a period of four (4) years from the end of each renewal cycle in which the continuing education was acquired. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification if requested in writing by the Board or its designee. Certificates verifying the licensed individual’s completion of the continuing education program(s) should include: 1. Continuing education program’s sponsor and BOC-approved provider number, date, length in minutes or hours awarded, program title, and licensee’s name and license number; or GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0150-01 THE PRACTICE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS 2. An original letter from the continuing education program’s sponsor indicating the date, length in minutes or hours awarded, program title and BOC-approved provider number, and licensee’s name and license number. (d) If a person submits documentation for continuing education that is not clearly identifiable as acceptable continuing education, the Board may request a written description of the education and how it applies to the practice as an athletic trainer. (3) Acceptable continuing education - To satisfy the requirements of this rule, the continuing education must be accepted in content, structure, and format for credit by the Board of Certification, Inc. This documentation must be uploaded into the continuing education vendor’s platform and must meet the requirements of Rule 0150-01-.12. (4) Violations (a) Any athletic trainer who falsely attests to completion of the required hours of continuing education may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0150-01-.15. (b) Any athletic trainer who fails to obtain the required continuing education hours may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 0150-01-.15 and may not be allowed to renew licensure. (c) Continuing education hours obtained as a result of compliance with the terms of a Board order in any disciplinary action shall not be credited toward the continuing education hours required to be obtained in any continuing education cycle.