As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the meaning ascribed in this Section:

            (1) “Athlete” means an individual designated as such by the board, an educational institution, a professional athletic organization, or other board-approved organization who participates in an athletic activity.

            (2) “Athletic injury” means any injury, illness, or medical condition sustained by an athlete as a result of his participation in exercises, sports, games, or recreational activities.

            (3) “Athletic trainer” means an individual licensed by the board as an athletic trainer with the specific qualifications set forth in La. Rev. Stat. 37:3306.1 who, under the general supervision of a physician, carries out the practice of prevention, emergency management, and physical rehabilitation of athletic injuries and sports-related conditions incurred by athletes. In carrying out these functions, the athletic trainer shall use whatever physical modalities are prescribed by a team physician or consulting physician, or both.

            (4) “Board” means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

            (5) “Board-approved organization” means one of the following:

            (a) Approved organization, including but not limited to the Amateur Athletic Union, the International Olympic Committee and its affiliates, the Pan American Sports Organization, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, college and university intramural sports, and sports events of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

            (b) An organization, whose athletic activity meets one or more of the following:

            (i) Has an officially designated coach or individual who has the responsibility for athletic activities of the organization.

            (ii) Has a regular schedule of practices or workouts that are supervised by an officially-designated coach or individual.

            (iii) Is an activity generally recognized as having an established schedule of competitive events or exhibitions.

            (iv) Has a policy that requires documentation of having a signed medical clearance by a licensed physician or other board-authorized healthcare provider as a condition for participation for the athletic activities of the organization.

            (6) “BOC” means the Board of Certification, Inc. or its successor.

            (7) “CAATE” means the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education or its successor.

            (8) “Educational institution” means a university, college, junior college, high school, junior high school, or grammar school, whether public or private.

            (9) “Emergency management” means the immediate care given to an injured athlete under the general supervision of the team or consulting physician. To accomplish this care, an athletic trainer may use such methods as accepted first aid procedures approved by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or protocol previously established by the athletic trainer and the team or consulting physicians.

            (10) “General supervision” means the service is furnished under a physician’s overall direction and control, but the physician’s presence shall not be required during the provision of service.

            (11) “Physical rehabilitation” means the care given to athletes following an athletic injury and recovery. These treatments and rehabilitation programs may consist of preestablished methods of physical modality use and exercise as prescribed by a team physician, consulting physician, or both. Physical rehabilitation also includes working cooperatively with and under the general supervision of a physician with respect to the following:

            (a) Reconditioning procedures.

            (b) Operation of therapeutic devices and equipment.

            (c) Fitting of braces, guards, and other protective devices.

            (d) Referrals to other physicians, auxiliary health services, and institutions. Referrals will be made with the agreement of the athlete or, in the case of a minor, with the agreement of a parent or guardian except when circumstances require emergency transfer and the parent or guardian is unavailable.

            (12) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine by the board in the state who is qualified by training and experience to supervise an athletic trainer.

            (13) “Practice of prevention” shall include but is not limited to the following:

            (a) Working cooperatively with supervisors and coaches in establishing and implementing a program of physical conditioning for athletes.

            (b) Applying protective or injury-preventive devices such as taping, padding, bandaging, strapping, wrapping, or bracing.

            (c) Working cooperatively with supervisors, coaches, and a team physician or consulting physician in the selection and fitting of protective athletic equipment for each athlete and constantly monitoring that equipment for safety.

            (d) Counseling and advising supervisors, coaches, and athletes on physical conditioning and training such as diet, flexibility, rest, and reconditioning.

            Acts 1985, No. 288, §1; Acts 2014, No. 418, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3; Acts 2022, No. 720, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.