§ 18.502. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Approved athletic training education programs—An athletic training education program that is accredited by a Board-approved Nationally recognized accrediting agency.

   Athletic training services—The management and provision of care of injuries to a physically active person, with the direction of a licensed physician.

     (i)   The term includes the rendering of emergency care, development of injury prevention programs and providing appropriate preventative and supportive devices for the physically active person.

     (ii)   The term also includes the assessment, management, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning of the physically active person whose conditions are within the professional preparation and education of a certified athletic trainer.

     (iii)   The term also includes the use of modalities such as: mechanical stimulation, heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound, massage and the use of therapeutic exercise, reconditioning exercise and fitness programs.

     (iv)   The term does not include surgery, invasive procedures or prescription of any medication or controlled substance.

   BOC—The Board of Certification, Inc., a National credentialing organization for athletic trainers.

   Certified athletic trainer—A person who is certified to perform athletic training services by the Board or by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

   Direction—Supervision over the actions of a certified athletic trainer by means of referral by prescription to treat conditions for a physically active person from a licensed physician, dentist or podiatrist or written protocol approved by a supervising physician, except that the physical presence of the supervising physician, dentist or podiatrist is not required if the supervising physician, dentist or podiatrist is readily available for consultation by direct communication, radio, telephone, facsimile, telecommunications or by other electronic means.

   Physically active person—An individual who participates in organized, individual or team sports, athletic games or recreational sports activities.

   Referral—An order from a licensed physician, dentist or podiatrist to a certified athletic trainer for athletic training services. An order may be written or oral, except that an oral order must be reduced to writing within 72 hours of issuance.

   Standing written prescription—A portion of the written protocol or a separate document from a supervising physician, which includes an order to treat approved individuals in accordance with the protocol.

   Written protocol—A written agreement or other document developed in conjunction with one or more supervising physicians, which identifies and is signed by the supervising physician and the certified athletic trainer, and describes the manner and frequency in which the certified athletic trainer regularly communicates with the supervising physician and includes standard operating procedures, developed in agreement with the supervising physician and certified athletic trainer, that the certified athletic trainer follows when not directly supervised onsite by the supervising physician.