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

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

• University of Findlay
• AT Program

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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

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Opening Statements

• All I need to do to practice in Ohio is pass the
  BOC certification exam and become an ATC.
• Ill be fine as long as I meet the requirements
  to renew my BOC certification.
• Theres no difference between an ATC and an LAT.
• My certification is more important than my
  license.

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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 professions standards.
• Schmitt, Kara Shimberg, Benjamin. (1996).
  Demystifying Occupational and Professional
  Regulation. Lexington, KY The Council on
  Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation.

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Major Responsibilities of the Board

• Establish Entrance Requirements
• Education Training and Experience
• Assessing initial competence
• Rule Making
• Discipline
• Assuring Continued Competence

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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.

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The Boards 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.

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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

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Board Composition AT Section
Member City Term Expires Term
Vince OBrien AT Section Chair Columbus 2012 3rd
Rebekah Bower AT Section Secretary Centerville 2011 1st
Aaron Galpert Wadsworth 2010 1st
Brian Hortz Pataskala 2011 1st
Jason Dapore Physician Member Columbus 2010 1st
All terms expire on Aug. 27 of designated year. Pursuant to ORC 4755.01, members shall not serve for more than 3 consecutive terms. All terms expire on Aug. 27 of designated year. Pursuant to ORC 4755.01, members shall not serve for more than 3 consecutive terms. All terms expire on Aug. 27 of designated year. Pursuant to ORC 4755.01, members shall not serve for more than 3 consecutive terms. All terms expire on Aug. 27 of designated year. Pursuant to ORC 4755.01, members shall not serve for more than 3 consecutive terms.
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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 arent lawyers cant give legal advice
• Staff will often suggest you send your question
  in writing (via mail or email) for an answer.

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Certification vs. Licensure

• 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 ATCs to people
  who meet their requirements for certification.

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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

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Ohio Revised Code Requirements

• R.C. 4755.60 (B) states Athletic trainer" means
  a person who meets the qualificationsfor
  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 traineror otherwise
  engage in the practice of athletic training,
  unless the person is licensed as an athletic
  trainer pursuant to this chapter.

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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.

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Licensure

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

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Licensure vs. Certification

• Once you receive your license to practice in
  Ohio, BOC certification is not required to renew
  your license to practice.

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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.

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Licensure in Other States

• Every state that licenses athletic trainers has
  their own laws and regulations.
• Before working in any state, determine that
  states 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.

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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)

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State Application Information

• In this state
• http//otptat.ohio.gov
• If youre applying in another state
• http//www.bocatc.org to obtain a directory of
  State AT Boards

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Submitting the Application

• Applicants for initial licensure can submit a
  paper application or apply on-line
• Paper applications can be downloaded from the
  Boards website
• Apply on-line through the Ohio e-License Center
• https//license.ohio.gov
• Select Application Site option

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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.a
  sp

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Continuing Education (contd)

• 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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Role of the Team Physician

• Referral relationship must exist between AT and
  team physician for care of that teams 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Contacting the Board

• You may contact the Board by any of the following
  methods
• Internet http//otptat.ohio.gov
• Email board_at_otptat.ohio.gov
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• PT Section
• Ohio OTPTAT Board
• 77 S. High Street, 16th Floor
• Columbus, OH 43215-6108