Athletic Training in Missouri

Athletic Training in Missouri

  1. The practice of athletic training in Missouri is regulated by the State Board of Healing Arts.
  2. Any individual who wishes to perform the duties of an AT must obtain a license from the State Board of Healing Arts prior to doing so.
  3. No individual may use the title of AT in MO without first obtaining a related license.
  4. You must have passed the National Board Exam for Athletic Trainers in order to become a Certified Athletic Trainer and apply for licensure in the state of Missouri.

Licensure for the state of MO

  1. Performing health care duties other than those described in the protocol may constitute malpractice.
  2. Individuals licensed to practice in Missouri are acknowledged with the initials LAT, ATC.
  3. Information regarding licensure in MO may be found at the Division of Professional Registration.
  4. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY FIRM COMMITMENT TO BEGIN PRACTICING UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF LICENSURE IN WRITING FROM THE STATE BOARD OF HEALING ARTS. (Taken from the MO State Board of Healing Arts Licensure Protocol)

MO Practice Act

  • Please be advised that Athletic Trainers practicing in the State of Missouri may only practice on athletes upon the direction of a team physician and/or consulting physician. Pursuant to Missouri statute, an athletic trainer practices prevention, emergency care, first aid, treatment, or physical rehabilitation of injuries incurred by athletes in the manner, means, and methods deemed necessary to effect care or rehabilitation or both. An "athlete" is defined in Missouri statutes as a person who participates in a sanctioned amateur or professional sport or recreational sport activity. (State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts-Missouri)

Student Liability INS.

Students participating in CMU on-campus rotations are covered by the blanket malpractice insurance. Students are required to purchase personal liability insurance and turn in documented proof prior to starting off-campus clinical rotations. Students will abide by all off campus site requirements before starting their rotation.

NATA Code of Ethics

  1. Written to make the membership aware of the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.
  2. Primary goal is to assure a high quality of health care.
  3. Standards set forth presents normative standards of behavior that all members should strive to achieve.
  4. The principles cannot be expected to cover all specific situations that may be encountered by the practicing AT but should be considered representative of the spirit with which ATs should make decisions.
  5. Written generally and the circumstances of a situation will determine the interpretation and application of a given principle and the Code as a whole.
  6. When there is a conflict between the Code and legality, the law prevails.
  7. Guidelines set forth in this Code are subject to continual review and revision as the athletic training profession develops and changes.
  8. (NATA Code of Ethics )

Principle 1: Members shall respect the rights, welfare and dignity of all individuals.

Principle 2: Members shall comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of athletic training

Principle 3: Members shall maintain and promote high standards in the provision of services.

Principle 4: Members shall not engage in any form of conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest or that adversely reflects on the profession.

BOC Standards of Practice

  1. The National Athletic Trainers Association webpage describes each statute that falls under each principle in the NATA Code of Ethics for Athletic Trainers.
  2. Also, Please make sure you have read through and understand thoroughly all the standards of practice made by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers. You must follow these standards of practice as an Athletic Trainer.
  3. The Board of Certification provides a document that outlines the BOC Standards for Professional Practice.

Ethical Practice

  1. Know your professional code of ethics.
  2. Recognize situations where ethical concerns are present.
  3. Consult whenever there are questions.
  4. Refer when the concern is beyond your legal scope of practice or competence.
  5. Refer if you might become a primary party in an ethical dilemma.
  6. Document carefully and often.
  7. Reflect and consider prior to making ethical decisions.
  8. Fully disclose your roles to patients/student athletes.
  9. Allow patients to make their own fully informed choices/decisions.

Patient Confidentiality within Clinical Education

  1. Care must be taken by the Preceptor and the ATS to ensure patient confidentiality.
  2. ATSs should only be allowed access to information necessary for effective patient management.
  3. Inform patients of the ATSs' role in providing supervised healthcare as part of clinical education.
  4. No information from the confidential file can be shared without the patients permission.
  5. No confidential file should be left out in the open for people to view.

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