W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-20

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-136-20 - [Effective until 1/11/2025] Athletic and Limited Sports Trainer

20.1. General Requirements. Each county board of education shall employ a registered athletic trainer(s) or an individual(s) with limited sports trainer authorization to serve during football practices and games for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Schools containing grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 that do not have an athletic trainer or an individual with limited athletic trainer authorization may not participate in football practices and games. Each county is encouraged to employ an athletic trainer for football practices and games for grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. County superintendents are encouraged to assign an athletic trainer to work with other school athletic programs. Candidates must meet the applicable general requirements for licensure in section 9 of this policy. A county may not employ a candidate in good faith on the anticipation that the candidate is eligible for a certificate. The Athletic and Limited Sports Trainer Authorization will be effective for the Employment Start Date listed on the application or the date that the application was received by the WVDE, whichever occurs last.

20.2. Athletic Trainer Authorization. The authorization endorsed for athletic trainer may be issued to an individual who is certified as an athletic trainer through the Board of Certification, Inc. for Athletic Trainers, and who has registered with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. The authorization may be reissued annually upon application to the WVDE with documentation of valid West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy registration and the recommendation of the employing county superintendent. Additionally, these individuals must attend the athletic trainer workshop as required and provided by the WVSSAC.

20.3. Limited Sports Trainer Authorization. In the event, that a county board of education cannot obtain an athletic trainer, the affected county board of education may employ an individual with a medical background that may include, but is not limited to: chiropractor, physical therapist, RN, licensed practical nurse, physician, physician's assistant, paramedic, occupational therapist, emergency medical technician, or nurse practitioner. The individual employed must complete the requirements to receive a Limited Sports Trainer Authorization and must present a copy of a high school diploma or state -approved high school equivalency.

20.3.a. County boards of education must post a position for an athletic trainer with a closing date prior to the WVSSAC season start date for fall sports. If no authorized or authorization-eligible athletic trainer can be employed, the county may employ an individual from the list of health care professionals listed in section 20.3. The county, along with the candidate, must complete the appropriate WVDE application for licensure; submit a copy of a high school diploma or state-approved high school equivalency; submit documentation of a valid health care provider license; and provide documentation of having completed an athletic trainer workshop/clinic sanctioned by the WVSSAC; or provide assurance that the individual being hired will attend the athletic trainer workshop as per WVSSAC guidelines.

20.3.b. Renewal of the Limited Sports Trainer Authorization. The Limited Sports Trainer Authorization may be reissued annually upon application to the WVDE with documentation of a valid health care provider license and the recommendation of the superintendent of the employing county.

20.4. Student Support Certificate for Athletic Trainer. Student Support Certificates for Athletic Trainer that were issued prior to July 1, 2011, may be renewed in accordance with renewal requirements for professional student support certificates as described in section 10. No Initial Professional Student Support Certificates for Athletic Trainer will be issued after July 1, 2011.

20.5. It shall be the duty of the county superintendent who knows of any act(s) on the part of any licensed athletic trainer or limited sports trainer for which a certificate may be revoked to report the same together with all facts and evidence to the State Superintendent. Acts of misconduct committed by licensed athletic trainers also must be reported to the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy and other licensing entities as appropriate.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-20