SECTION .0100 - LICENSURE
21 NCAC 03 .0101 APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE
(a) An application for licensure shall be completed on the forms provided by the Board and shall include:
(1) Proof of having passed the examination administered by the Board of Certification, Inc., by enclosing a copy of the certification card.
(2) Evidence of good moral character. "Good moral character" means a personal history of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, a good reputation for fair dealings, and respect for the rights of others and for state and federal laws, subject to the requirements of G.S. 93B-8.1(b).
(3) A copy of the diploma from a college or university in Sports Medicine or Athletic Training or a transcript showing the following courses of study or similar courses of study: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Kinesiology/Biomechanics, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Evaluation of Athletic Injuries, First Aid and Emergency Care, Therapeutic Modalities, Therapeutic Exercise, Personal Community Health, Nutrition and Administration of Athletic Training Programs.
(4) The applicant's full name.
(5) The applicant's address.
(6) The applicant's employment history.
(7) The applicant's current employment, address, and job title.
(8) A current form of identification with photograph.
(9) Official verification from the respective state boards of any other U.S. athletic training licenses held, both current and lapsed.
(b) The license issuance fee pursuant to 21 NCAC 03 .0201 shall accompany the application.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-528; 90-529; 90-530;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Amended Eff. April 1, 2023;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0102 GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
Evidence of good moral character shall be shown by two affidavits from persons not related to the applicant. "Good moral character" means a personal history of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, a good reputation for fair dealings, and respect for the rights of others and for state and federal laws, subject to the requirements of G.S. 93B-8.1(b).
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-528; 90-529; 90-530;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0103 ATHLETIC TRAINERS NOT CERTIFIED
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-530;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Expired Eff. May 1, 2019 pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.
SECTION .0200 - FEES
21 NCAC 03 .0201 FEES
(a) The following fees are payable to the Board by cash, check, or money order:
(1) License issuance fee $200.00
(2) License renewal fee $75.00
(3) Reinstatement of lapsed license fee $100.00
(b) Copies of any public documents filed in the Board Office are available at the "actual cost" as defined in G.S. 132-6.2(b) for making the copy and the mailing cost if applicable. The Board shall provide its "actual cost" on the Board website.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-534;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2012;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0202 SUSPENSION OF AUTHORITY AND ESCROW OF FUNDS
The Board shall file the annual reports set forth in G.S. 93B-2 no later than October 31 of each year. In the event the Board fails to file the reports as required by G.S. 93B-2 and the Board's authority to expend any funds is suspended until such time as the Board files the required reports, the Board shall deposit any fees or funds received during the period of suspension into an escrow account established by the Board solely for this purpose.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 93B-2;
Eff. July 1, 2012;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
SECTION .0300 - RENEWAL OF LICENSE
21 NCAC 03 .0301 RENEWAL REQUEST FORM
Requests for license renewal shall be submitted on the form provided by the Board. The renewal form shall contain the following:
(1) The licensee's full name;
(2) The licensee's address;
(3) The licensee's job concentration area, address, and job title;
(4) Verification of a current Board of Certification, Inc. certification via current card; and
(5) Affirmation the licensee has not been convicted of any violations of law in the last 12 months.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-532;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0302 CONTINUING EDUCATION
(a) Continuing education courses for license renewal shall be in one of the following content areas: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Kinesiology/Biomechanics, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Evaluation of Athletic Injuries, First Aid and Emergency Care, Therapeutic Modalities, Therapeutic Exercise, Personal Community Health, Nutrition, and Administration of Athletic Training Programs.
(b) A licensee shall complete 75 contact hours of continuing education during a three-year license renewal period. Contact hours are defined as the number of actual clock hours spent in a course of study. One semester hour of credit is equivalent to 10 contact hours.
(c) Licensed athletic trainers who fail to document sufficient appropriate continuing education to renew their licenses shall be notified in writing of the deficiency and shall be allowed 45 days to respond. Continuing education may not be undertaken during this period to supplement the deficiency. The licenses of athletic trainers who fail to respond within the 45-day period, or who are unable to provide sufficient continuing education shall lapse and be subject to the lapsed license requirements set forth in 21 NCAC 03 .0303.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-533;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Amended Eff. January 1, 2007;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0303 LAPSED LICENSE
(a) The lapsed license may be renewed within a period of five years after expiration upon payment of the lapsed license fee pursuant to 21 NCAC 03 .0201 and the completion of 25 contact hours of continuing education for each year that the license has lapsed.
(b) A license that has lapsed for more than five years shall be renewed upon payment of the lapsed license fee pursuant to 21 NCAC 03 .0201 and the completion of 28 contact hours of continuing education for each year that the license has lapsed.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-532; 90-533;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0304 BOARD APPROVAL OF COURSES
The Board shall approve any of the following programs or courses:
(1) Those provided by a college or university that is accredited and legally authorized to grant academic degrees.
(2) Those sponsored by the North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association.
(3) Those that the Board determines as otherwise satisfying the course and program requirements of G.S. 90-533.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-533;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 03 .0305 reserved for future codification
21 NCAC 03 .0306 reserved for future codification
21 NCAC 03 .0307 reserved for future codification
21 NCAC 03 .0308 reserved for future codification
21 NCAC 03 .0309 reserved for future codification
21 NCAC 03 .0310 ARMED SERVICES EXTENSION FOR CREDENTIAL
Upon receipt of a written request by or on behalf of a licensed athletic trainer who is currently in good standing with the Board, is serving in the armed forces of the United States, and to whom G.S. 105-249.2 authorizes an extension of time to file a tax return, the Board shall postpone renewal fees, renewal application deadlines, continuing education requirements, and any other requirements or conditions related to the maintenance of the credential issued by the Board or to the renewal thereof for the same period of time as the extended period of time to file a tax return that is granted pursuant to G.S. 93B-15.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 93B-15;
Eff. July 1, 2012;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
SECTION .0400 - DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
21 NCAC 03 .0401 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Board disciplinary actions may include the following:
(1) Reprimand. Reprimand is a public rebuke for misconduct as an athletic trainer.
(2) Restriction. Restriction is a stay of suspension or revocation allowing limited practice within conditions stipulated by the Board.
(3) Suspension. Suspension is the withdrawal of the privilege to practice for a specified time.
(4) Revocation. Revocation is the withdrawal of the privilege to practice as a licensed athletic trainer in the State of North Carolina.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-525; 90-536;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.
SECTION .0500 - ATHLETIC TRAINER PROTOCOL
21 NCAC 03 .0501 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
The practice protocol for each athletic trainer pursuant to G.S. 90-523(2) shall be an outline of practices for which the athletic trainer has been trained and shall be individualized to accommodate the skills of the athletic trainer. The practice protocol shall not allow the athletic trainer to undertake medical diagnosis or to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs or prescription devices. The practice protocol shall not allow the athletic trainer to independently provide treatments for athletes with fractures, head or spinal injuries, or other serious medical conditions, except the athletic trainer may render appropriate first aid or emergency care. The protocol shall specify provisions for physician involvement in the event of serious injuries. The athletic trainer and the physician shall sign and file a statement with the North Carolina Medical Board agreeing to abide by the protocol. The format of the protocol shall be typewritten on letter size paper.
History Note: Authority G.S. 90-523; 90-525;
Temporary Adoption Eff. March 16, 1998;
Eff. May 1, 1999;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;
Readopted Eff. September 1, 2026.