Wis. Admin. Code AT — Athletic Trainers Affiliated Credentialing Board

Chapter AT 1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.01 Authority {#sec-at-1.01 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.01}

The rules in chs. AT 1 to 5 are adopted pursuant to ss. 15.085 (5) (b), 227.11 (2), 448.9525 (1) and (2), 448.954 (2), 448.9545 (2) (a), 448.955, 448.956 (1) and 448.957 (2), Stats.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.02 Definitions {#sec-at-1.02 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.02}

In chs. AT 1 to 5:

(1e) “Athletic training” has the meaning given in s. 448.95 (5), Stats.

(1m) “Board” means the athletic trainers affiliated credentialing board.

(1s) “BOC” means the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc.

(2) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

(3) “License” means a license as an athletic trainer issued by the board.

(4) “Licensee” means a person who is licensed as an athletic trainer under s. 448.953, Stats.

(4m) “Physical activity” has the meaning given in s. 448.95 (7), Stats.

(6) “Protocol” means a precise and detailed written plan for the evaluation and treatment of an athletic injury or an injury that is identical to an athletic injury and that has resulted from an occupational activity.

(7) “Trainer” means a person engaged in athletic training who is not licensed as an athletic trainer under s. 448.953, Stats.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673; CR 18-082: renum. (1) to (1m) and am., cr. (1e), renum. (5) to (1s) and am., cr. (4m) Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.03 Use of restricted title {#sec-at-1.03 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.03}

A trainer may engage in the practice of athletic training provided that the trainer does not use a title or designation in violation of s. 448.951, Stats.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.04 Surety bond or liability insurance coverage {#sec-at-1.04 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.04}

As a precondition to the granting or renewal of a license, an applicant or licensee must submit a certificate of insurance, declarations page, policy binder or other evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she has in effect a surety bond in the amount of $1,000,000, or malpractice liability insurance coverage in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 for all occurrences in one year. No licensee shall engage in athletic training unless the licensee has in effect the insurance required by this section.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.05 Required examinations {#sec-at-1.05 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.05}

For purposes of satisfying the requirements of ss. 448.953 (1) (f) and (h) and 448.954, Stats., the board accepts the results of a credentialing examination administered by BOC or its successor agency.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 1.06 Change of address {#sec-at-1.06 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 1.06}

A licensee shall notify the board of a change of address as required under s. 448.11, Stats.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.

Chapter AT 2 ATHLETIC TRAINER LICENSE

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 2.01 Applications {#sec-at-2.01 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 2.01}

An applicant for a license shall file an application and must pay the fee specified in s. 440.05, Stats. An applicant for a license who does not comply with a request for information related to the application within one year from the date of the request shall file a new application and pay the fee specified in s. 440.05, Stats.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 22-030: am. Register October 2023 No. 814, eff. 11-1-23.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 2.02 Application contents {#sec-at-2.02 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 2.02}

Except as provided under s. AT 2.03, an application for licensure shall satisfy the requirements of s. 448.953, Stats., and include all of the following:

(1) Official undergraduate transcripts properly attested to by the degree granting institution and submitted by the institution directly to the board establishing that the applicant has been granted a bachelor’s degree by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the state board of education in the state in which the college or university is located or a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. department of education or accredited by a Canadian accrediting agency satisfactory to the board.

(2) Verification attested to and submitted directly to the board by BOC or its successor agency that the applicant has met all requirements for certification.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. (2) Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 2.03 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses {#sec-at-2.03 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 2.03}

A reciprocal athletic trainer license shall be granted to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the board may request verification necessary to make a determination under this section.

Note: Applications for reciprocal licensure may be obtained from the department of safety and professional services at (608) 266-2112 or from the department’s website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

History

• CR 22-030: cr. Register October 2023 No. 814, eff. 11-1-23.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 2.06 Late renewal and reinstatement of a license {#sec-at-2.06 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 2.06}

Failure to renew a license as required under s. 448.955, Stats., shall cause the license to expire. A licensee who allows a license to expire may apply to the board for late renewal or reinstatement of the license by completing one of the following:

(1) Late renewal within 5 years. If a licensee applies for renewal of a license within 5 years after the renewal date, the license shall be renewed upon submission of the renewal fee and evidence required under s. 448.955 (2), Stats., and the late fee under s. 440.08 (3) (a), Stats.

(2) Late renewal after 5 years.

(a) If a licensee applies for renewal more than 5 years after the renewal date, the licensee shall satisfy the requirements under sub. (1) and the requirements for licensure under s. 448.953 (1) or (2), Stats. Except as provided under sub. (3) (a), this subsection does not apply to licensees who have unmet disciplinary requirements or whose licenses have been denied at renewal, surrendered, or revoked.

(b) The board may waive any of the requirements under par. (a) based on evidence satisfactory to the board that granting renewal of the license would adequately protect public health, safety, and welfare.

(3) Reinstatement. A licensee who has unmet disciplinary requirements and failed to renew within 5 years of the renewal date or whose license has been denied at renewal, surrendered, or revoked, may apply to have the license reinstated. An application for reinstatement shall include all of the following:

(a) Evidence of completion of the requirements under sub. (2).

(b) Evidence of completion of disciplinary requirements, if applicable.

(c) Evidence of rehabilitation or change in circumstances warranting reinstatement of the license.

Note: An application for renewal or reinstatement may be obtained from the department of safety and professional services at (608) 266-2112 or from the department’s website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

History

• CR 19-109: cr. Register October 2020 No. 778, eff. 11-1-20.

Chapter AT 3 CONTINUING EDUCATION

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 3.01 Approved courses of study {#sec-at-3.01 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 3.01}

For purposes of satisfying the requirements of s. 448.9545, Stats., the board shall approve a course of study that has been approved for continuing education credit by BOC or its successor agency.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 3.02 Certification of compliance {#sec-at-3.02 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 3.02}

A licensee shall, at the time of making application for renewal of a license under s. 440.08 (2) (a), Stats., sign a statement on the application for renewal certifying that the licensee has satisfied the 30 hour continuing education requirement of s. 448.9545, Stats. This section does not apply to an application for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the board initially granted the license.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 02-152: am. Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-2004.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 3.03 Evidence of compliance {#sec-at-3.03 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 3.03}

The board shall accept as evidence of compliance with this chapter certification by BOC or its successor agency that the licensee has attended and completed continuing education programs approved under s. AT 3.01.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 3.04 Retention requirement {#sec-at-3.04 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 3.04}

The licensee shall retain evidence of compliance for 3 years following the renewal date for the biennium for which 30 hours of credit are required for renewal of a license.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 3.05 Audit {#sec-at-3.05 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 3.05}

The board shall audit any licensee who is under investigation by the board for alleged misconduct for compliance with the continuing education requirements.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19.

Chapter AT 4 EVALUATION AND TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 4.01 Protocol evaluation and treatment procedures {#sec-at-4.01 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 4.01}

A protocol established by the licensee shall be in writing and may include any of the following evaluation and treatment procedures:

(1) Taking a basic medical history when necessary for evaluation and treatment of an injury or illness sustained while participating in physical activity and as outlined in s. 448.956 (2) and (3), Stats. A basic medical history may include any of the following:

(a) Previous medical history.

(b) Previous surgical history.

(c) Pertinent family medical history.

(d) Current medication history including known drug allergies.

(e) Relevant social history.

(f) Chief medical complaint.

(g) History of the present injury or illness for which the person to be treated is seeking evaluation and treatment.

(2) Evaluating an injury or illness sustained while participating in physical activity and as outlined in s. 448.956 (2) and (3), Stats. An evaluation may include any of the following procedures:

(a) Palpation.

(b) General observation.

(c) Motion assessment.

(d) Muscle strength tests.

(e) Endurance tests.

(f) Neurological assessment.

(g) Joint play assessment.

(h) Functional evaluation.

(i) Objective physical measurement.

(j) Circulatory assessment.

(3) Treating an injury or illness sustained while participating in physical activity and as outlined in s. 448.956 (2) and (3), Stats. Treatment may include any of the following procedures:

(a) Emergency care.

(b) Ultrasound.

(c) Phonophoresis.

(d) Electrical nerve stimulation.

(e) Iontophoresis.

(f) Specified diathermy.

(g) Intermittent compression.

(h) Traction.

(i) Therapeutic massage.

(j) Moist heat.

(k) Paraffin baths.

(L) Cryotherapy.

(4) Rehabilitating an injury or illness sustained while participating in physical activity and as outlined in s. 448.956 (2) and (3), Stats. Rehabilitation may include any of the following procedures:

(a) Progressive resistance exercise.

(b) Range of motion exercise.

(c) Trigger point and manual therapy.

(d) Joint mobilization for range of motion only.

(e) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

(f) Functional exercise.

(g) Cardiovascular exercise.

(h) Aquatic exercise.

(i) Taping, bracing and splinting.

(j) Isokinetic exercise.

(k) Isometric exercise.

(L) Isotonic exercise.

(5) Administering specifically enumerated drugs.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 18-082: am. (1) (intro.), (2) (intro.), (3) (intro.), (4) (intro.), (5) Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19; CR 23-001: am. (intro.) Register October 2023 No. 814, eff. 11-1-23; CR 25-020: am. (1) (intro.), (2) (intro.), (3) (intro.), (4) (intro.), (c) Register September 2025 No. 837, eff. 10-1-25.

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 4.02 Mandatory protocol requirements {#sec-at-4.02 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 4.02}

A protocol must contain all of the following:

(2) The requirement that if a licensee determines that a patient’s medical condition is beyond the scope of practice of the licensee, the licensee shall, in accordance with the protocol, refer the patient to a health care practitioner who is licensed under ch. 446 or 447, Stats., or subch. II, III or IV, of ch. 448, Stats., and who can provide appropriate treatment to the patient.

(3) The requirement that a licensee shall modify or terminate treatment of a patient that is not beneficial to a patient or that the patient cannot tolerate.

(4) The name, signature and date of signature of the licensee.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01; CR 02-152: am (4) Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-2004; CR 18-082: r. (1) Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19; CR 23-001: am. (2), (4) Register October 2023 No.814, eff. 11-1-23.

Chapter AT 5 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Wis. Admin. Code § AT 5.01 Definition {#sec-at-5.01 omnilex-key=us-wi-regs-official--agency-at--AT 5.01}

In this section and for purposes of s. 448.957 (2) (f), Stats., “unprofessional conduct” means any practice or behavior which violates the minimum standards for the profession necessary for the protection of the health, safety or welfare of an athlete or the public, and includes, but is not limited to, the following or aiding or abetting the same:

(1) Knowingly making or presenting or causing to be made or presented any false, fraudulent, or forged statement, writing, certificate, diploma, in connection with any application for a license.

(2) Making a material misstatement in an application for a license or for renewal of a license.

(3) In sitting for any licensure examination, soliciting or knowingly disclosing examination content.

(4) Failing to cooperate with the board in an investigation under this section.

(5) Practicing or attempting to practice under any license when unable to do so with reasonable skill and safety to any person.

(6) Engaging in any athletic trainer practice which constitutes a danger to the health, welfare, or safety of a patient or the public, including but not limited to, practicing in a manner which substantially departs from the standard of care ordinarily exercised by an athletic trainer which harmed or could have harmed a patient.

(7) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., practicing as an athletic trainer when the person’s ability to engage in the practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

(8) Having been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(9) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., having violated federal or state laws, local ordinances or administrative rules the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of athletic trainers.

(10) Engaging in conduct which evidences a lack of trustworthiness to transact the business required by the profession.

(11) Misrepresenting professional qualifications such as education, specialized training or experience.

(12) Offering to perform or performing services which the licensee is not qualified to perform by education or experience without retaining the services of another who is qualified.

(13) Using false, fraudulent or deceptive advertising or publicity; or practicing or attempting to practice under another’s name.

(14) Falsely representing that the licensee is engaged in a partnership or association with another unless there exists in fact a partnership or association, or practicing under a firm name that misrepresents the identity of those practicing in the firm or misrepresents the type of services which the firm is authorized and qualified to perform.

(15) Violating the confidences of a patient except as otherwise required by law.

(16) Violating or attempting to violate any provision or term of ch. 448, Stats., or of any valid rule of the board.

(17) Violating or attempting to violate any term, provision or condition of any order of the board.

(18) Falsifying patient records.

(19) Having a license, certificate, permit, registration, or other practice credential granted by another state or by any agency of the federal government to practice as an athletic trainer, which becomes limited, restricted, suspended, or revoked, or having been subject to other adverse action by the state licensing authority or by any agency of the federal government, including but not limited to, the denial or limitation of an original credential, or the surrender of a credential, whether or not accompanied by findings of negligence or unprofessional conduct.

(20) Engaging in inappropriate sexual contact, exposure, gratification or other sexual behavior with or in the presence of a patient.

History

• Cr. Register, February, 2001, No. 542, eff. 3-1-01.