Section 230-RICR-30-30-6.9 - Medical Examinations, Drug Testing and Record KeepingA. Medical Examinations Required. Pursuant to the authority granted the Division in R.I. Gen. Laws § 41-5.2-3, every application for a Competitor license shall include each of the requirements listed in § 6.9(B) of this Part.B. Each of the following tests shall be conducted by a Physician licensed within the United States, or by a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner acting under the supervision of a licensed Physician. The results of each test shall be reported on the Division provided form bearing the examiner's name. It shall bear the statement "Fighter is cleared to participate", or "Fit to Compete", or "Medically Approved", if so concluded by the supervising physician, and it shall contain the supervising physician's signature. 1. A comprehensive Physical Exam performed within one (1) year of the Event in accordance with § 6.5(B)(2)(g) of this Part.2. An Ophthalmologic Eye Examination including a dilated retinal exam performed within one (1) year of the Event.3. An EKG performed within one (1) year of the Event and interpreted and signed by a licensed Cardiologist or Physician.a. In its discretion, considering an individual fighter's recent competitive activity, the Division may also require any Competitor thirty-five (35) years of age or older to submit to a Stress Test with a clearance letter from a licensed Cardiologist dated within one (1) year of the Event.4. An MRI or CTScan performed within three (3) years of the Event. An MRI or CTScan remains valid for three (3) years from the date of the test. If the MRI or CTScan is over one (1) year old the Competitor must additionally submit a complete neurological examination, performed by a licensed Neurologist.5. A negative HIV serology (AIDS blood test) dated within six (6) months of the Event.6. A negative Hepatitis "B" Surface Antigen (HBV sAG) blood test dated within six (6) months of the Event. Negative Hep "B" cAb, eAg are not acceptable.a. If a competitor has undergone a vaccination series for Hepatitis "B," he/she may present proof of immunity via a blood test called HBV sAb. If this test is positive, the fighter is considered immune to the virus and does not need to be tested for the HBV sAg.7. A negative Hepatitis "C" serology (blood test) dated within six (6) months of the Event.8. A pregnancy test for female Competitors dated within seven (7) to fourteen (14) days of the Event.C. No Competitor shall be permitted to compete unless, not more than three (3) hours before the Event, a physician, licensed under this chapter, shall certify, in writing, that the Competitor is physically fit to engage in the Event. The certification shall be based in part on an examination of the Competitor by a duly licensed physician on the morning of the Event or at least six (6) hours before the Competitor is scheduled to enter the cage, whichever is earlier. The physician's fee, as fixed by the Division, shall be paid by the licensee conducting the Event prior to the issuance of the certification by the physician. In the event that a Competitor cannot be certified as physically fit to engage in the Event, then such fact shall be made known to the public prior to the acceptance of an admission fee or the tender of an admission ticket for the Event. Any person who pays an admission fee prior to the disclosure that the Competitor is not certified as physically fit shall, at his or her election, be entitled to an immediate refund of the admission fee. The examinations required by this Part shall include an examination of the Competitor's vision and eye condition.D. Drug Testing. The administration or use of any substance identified on the "Prohibited List" published by the World Anti-doping Agency (www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/) either before or during an Event by any Competitor is prohibited. 1. For the purpose of verifying compliance with this rule, the Division may require that any Competitor submit to a urinalysis or blood test prior to or after the Event, or if recommended by the Physician, any other post-Event examination.2. The Division may revoke or suspend the Competitor License of any Competitor whose urinalysis or blood test is positive for any substance on the Prohibited List and any such suspension may be no less than thirty (30) days and no more than six (6) months.3. Should a winning Competitor's laboratory testing results return as a positive test his/her victory/win may be removed, a "no contest" decision may be entered into his/her MMA record, and each Competitor will be notified of any positive test result or change in match result using the contact information provided on his/her License Application.4. All costs associated with the foregoing tests shall be borne by the Competitor and/or the Promoter.E. Records. All medical reports and tests required to be performed pursuant to this Part or the Act shall be considered confidential and shall be open to examination only to the Division or its duly authorized representatives (including a Hearing Officer if applicable), to the Competitor and, upon written authorization of the Competitor to all such designated persons or Boxing Commissions.F. In addition to any powers of the Referee provided in R.I. Gen. Laws § 41-5.2-17 and any other sections of this Part and the Act, the Referee may, in his or her discretion, request the Physician to examine a Competitor during a Match. Should the examination occur during the course of a round, the clock shall be stopped until the examination is completed.230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-30-30-6.9
Adopted effective 12/24/2019