The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board

1. The Role of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board University of Findlay AT Program

2. Topics to Cover • Purpose of Regulation • Role of the Board • Licensure Process • Keeping Your License • The Board vs. the Professional Association • Other Important AT Issues OTPTAT Board

3. Opening Statements • All I need to do to practice in Ohio is pass the BOC certification exam and become an ATC. • I’ll be fine as long as I meet the requirements to renew my BOC certification. • There’s no difference between an ATC and an LAT. • My certification is more important than my license. OTPTAT Board

4. The Purpose of Regulation… • Regulation is intended to: • Ensure public protection; • Offer assurance to public that practitioner is competent to provide safe services; and • Provide a means to discipline individuals who fail to comply with the profession’s standards. *Schmitt, Kara & Shimberg, Benjamin. (1996). Demystifying Occupational and Professional Regulation. Lexington, KY: The Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. OTPTAT Board

5. Major Responsibilities of the Board • Establish Entrance Requirements • Education Training and Experience • Assessing initial competence • Rule Making • Discipline • Assuring Continued Competence OTPTAT Board

6. Role of the Board The mission of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board is to actively promote and protect the health of the citizens of Ohio through effective regulation of the professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic training. OTPTAT Board

7. The Board’s Authority • The Revised Code empowers the Board to regulate the professions of OT, PT, & AT. • Board members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. • The law authorizes the Board to adopt administrative rules (Administrative Code). • Authorizes hiring an Executive Director. OTPTAT Board

8. OTPTAT Board Info • Joint Board consisting of an Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Section • Total of 8 full-time staff • 2 Admin Staff, 3 Investigative Staff, 3 Licensure Staff • AT Section has 5 Section members OTPTAT Board

9. Board Composition – AT Section OTPTAT Board

10. Is This Within My Scope of Practice? • Contact the Board if you have any questions, but realize… • There are no licensed practitioners on staff; • We aren’t lawyers & can’t give legal advice; • Staff will often suggest you send your question in writing (via mail or email) for an answer. OTPTAT Board

11. The AT Section of the Ohio OTPTAT Board issues licenses to practice as an athletic trainer in the State of Ohio. The BOC certifies individuals as ATC’s to people who meet their requirements for certification. Certification vs. Licensure OTPTAT Board

12. Certification vs. Licensure • You MUST hold a valid license issued by the AT Section of the Ohio OTPTAT Board to legally practice athletic training in the State of Ohio. • Certification  Licensure OTPTAT Board

13. Ohio Revised Code Requirements • R.C. 4755.60 (B) states: “Athletic trainer" means a person who meets the qualifications…for licensure and who is employed by an educational institution, professional or amateur organization, athletic facility, or health care facility to practice athletic training.  • R.C. 4755.62 states: “No person shall claim to the public to be an athletic trainer…or otherwise engage in the practice of athletic training, unless the person is licensed as an athletic trainer pursuant to this chapter.” OTPTAT Board

14. Licensure vs. Certification • Although you need a state license to practice, as part of the initial application process, you will need to apply for BOC certification to take the BOC Certification Exam. • Upon passing the BOC Exam, you will receive certification and may call yourself an ATC. This does not mean you can legally practice in Ohio without a license. OTPTAT Board

15. Licensure • If you practice with BOC Certification, but not Ohio licensure, you will be disciplined for practicing athletic training without a license!! OTPTAT Board

16. Licensure vs. Certification • Once you receive your license to practice in Ohio, BOC certification is not required to renew your license to practice. OTPTAT Board

17. Licensure Requirements in Ohio What is required to be licensed as an AT? • Graduation from a CAATE accredited athletic training program. • Submission of the licensure application, including the application fee. • Passage of the BOC certification exam. • Note: Effective March 24, 2008, all applicants for initial licensure need a criminal records check conducted by both the BCI and FBI. OTPTAT Board

18. Licensure in Other States • Every state that licenses athletic trainers has their own laws and regulations. • Before working in any state, determine that state’s licensure requirements and practice restrictions. • Not every state licenses athletic trainers. • Some states allow ATs to legally work if they hold current BOC certification and register with the state. • Some states have no mention of AT in the law. OTPTAT Board

19. Licensure in Other States • 38 states require a license to practice athletic training • 5 states require certification (KY, LA, NY, PA, SC) • 3 states require registration (CO, MN, OR) • 1 state has exemption in law (HI) • 3 states do not regulate the practice of athletic training (AK, CA, WV) OTPTAT Board

20. State Application Information In this state: http://otptat.ohio.gov If you’re applying in another state: http://www.bocatc.org to obtain a directory of State AT Boards OTPTAT Board

21. Submitting the Application • Applicants for initial licensure can submit a paper application or apply on-line • Paper applications can be downloaded from the Board’s website • Apply on-line through the Ohio e-License Center • https://license.ohio.gov • Select “Application Site” option OTPTAT Board

22. OTPTAT Board

23. OTPTAT Board

24. Criminal Records Checks • HB 104 requires the Board to receive the results of a criminal records check before issuance of a license. • The law requires the applicant to submit the results of a criminal records check conducted by both the FBI and Ohio BCI. • Only applies to initial license applications. • No fingerprints needed for renewal or reinstatement. • http://ag.state.oh.us/business/fingerprint/index.asp OTPTAT Board

25. OTPTAT Board

26. OTPTAT Board

27. OTPTAT Board

28. I Have My License. Now What? • Your first renewal: • Check your authorization to practice letter to determine when your initial license expires. • All PT licenses expire on January 31 of even numbered years. • If initial issue date is on or before October 1, 2009, your license will expire on 1/31/2010. • If initial issue date is after October 1, 2009, your license will expire on 1/31/2012. OTPTAT Board

29. I Have My License. Now What? • PT Licensees (OAC 4755-23-06): • You are exempt from CE for first renewal. • Must submit 24 contact hours of CE. • All CE activities must have an Ohio Approval Number (issued by OPTA). • All CE must be completed in 24-month period ending on January 31. OTPTAT Board

30. I Have My License. Now What? • What happens on February 1? • If you did not renew, your license automatically expires. • Renewal means the Board received AND processed your renewal application. • To return to active practice in Ohio, you must submit a reinstatement application. OTPTAT Board

31. Continuing Education • Rules 4755-45-01 and 45-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code govern the continuing education requirements. • CE requirements for the Board vary from those required by BOC. OTPTAT Board

32. Continuing Education (cont’d) • Ohio law does not require pre-approval of CE courses. • According to rule 4755-45-01, a CE course is usually considered an acceptable learning activity if it is directly related to the clinical practice, management, or education of athletic trainers. OTPTAT Board

33. Disciplining Licensees • Aside from licensure, discipline is most important function of boards. • The law limits the violations that the board can take disciplinary action for and limits types of disciplinary action. • Ex: Ohio OTPTAT Board had no authority to levy fines prior to April 6, 2007 (HB 403). OTPTAT Board

34. Disciplinary Process • Licensees guaranteed due process rights. • All actions must follow ORC Chapter 119. • Board receives and investigates complaint. • Board member, enforcement staff, AAG review investigation findings. • Notice of Opportunity for Hearing issued. • Administrative hearing conducted by Hearing Examiner. • Full Board reviews Hearing Examiner findings. OTPTAT Board

35. Disciplinary Process • Board issues Adjudication Order. • Specifies the violation and the disciplinary action taken. • Licensee may appeal order to court of common pleas. • Most investigations settled via consent agreement in lieu of formal hearing. OTPTAT Board

36. OTPTAT v. BOC v. OATAThe Alphabet Soup of the Profession • OTPTAT is your state regulatory agency. It licenses individuals and enforces the practice act. • BOC is a certification entity. Certification allows a practitioner to use the credentials ATC. It is not mandatory that you hold certification. OTPTAT Board

37. OTPTAT v. BOC v. OATA • OATA is the state professional association. Along with the NATA, it advocates on the state/federal level for the profession. • The professional association  the licensing board. • State licensure does not require OATA membership. OTPTAT Board

38. Role of the Team Physician • Referral relationship must exist between AT and team physician for care of that team’s athletes. • Revised Code section 4755.60 and Administrative Code rule 4755-42-02. • ATs employed by colleges, universities, high schools, other scholastic institutions, and professional organizations/clubs function under this referral relationship. OTPTAT Board

39. Role of the Team Physician • This relationship should consist of: • A protocol of care communicated between the team physician and the athletic trainer • This relationship should include procedures for: • Prevention, recognition, assessment, management, treatment, disposition, and reconditioning of athletic injuries. OTPTAT Board

40. Role of the AT for Visiting Teams • Athletic trainers may provide visiting teams, traveling without an athletic trainer or a team physician, with first aid and emergency coverage only. • They should not provide treatments without an appropriate referral or make return to participation decisions for visiting athletes. OTPTAT Board

41. Role of the Coach in Taping Injuries • Taping an athlete can be accomplished by many different individuals, such as athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, coaches, and even other athletes. • Athletes sometimes request to be taped by a prophylactic measure or as a ritual for participation. • Prophylactic taping is not care of an injury • It does not call for the degree of skill in selection of taping method or application, as might be used by a licensed health care practitioner. OTPTAT Board

42. Role of the Coach in Taping Injuries • Why an athletic is being taped is determining factor in deciding who is permitted to tape • If a taping or strapping/wrapping procedure or application is necessary as part of a regime of the care of an injury, this is only to be done by a licensed health care practitioner. • With increasing the standards of care for athletes, there are situations that call for taping as care of an injury, as required to participate, as determined by a referral source. Such a directive or prescribed method of care should only be applied by a licensed health care practitioner. OTPTAT Board

43. How may an AT function in the Clinic Setting? • Under an AT Referral from an accepted practitioner, the AT functions independently and is responsible for documentation • Provide athletic training services (evaluation and treatment) based upon physician referral OTPTAT Board

44. How may an AT function in the Clinic Setting? • Under a PT Referral, the athletic trainer functions as “Other Licensed Personnel” • AT cannot be assigned own physical therapy caseload without supervising PT having direct contact with each patient each visit. • Under a PT referral, “Other Licensed Personnel” have limits on making adjustments to the established plan of care OTPTAT Board

45. Change of Address • Ohio law requires all licensees to notify the Board, in writing, of a change of address within THIRTY days of the change. • Failure to notify the Board, could result in the delay of the processing of your renewal application. OTPTAT Board

46. Contacting the Board • You may contact the Board by any of the following methods: • Internet: http://otptat.ohio.gov • Email: board@otptat.ohio.gov • Phone: 614-466-3774 • Fax: 614-995-0816 • PT Section Ohio OTPTAT Board 77 S. High Street, 16th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6108 OTPTAT Board