The Budget Committee in Rhode Island has proposed to move Athletic Trainer Licensure from the Board of Health to the Board of Business.  Athletic Trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state license statutes. (Directly taken from www.nata.org) ATs are nationally certified and licensed in 49 states. Additionally, Athletic Trainers must maintain their certification by completing continuing education units (CEUs) which are submitted on a bi-annual basis. 

Moving AT licensing to the Board of Business would diminish ATs as "multi-skilled health care professionals."  ATs are not a business, we are nationally certified individuals that provide a wide variety of skill sets to our patients. The heath and safety of our patients is our priority, and licensure under the board of health allows us to effectively ensure that our patients are getting the highest quality of healthcare.