Athletic trainer bill one step closer to passing

Rebecca Boyle, (Bio) rboyle@fortcollinsnow.com
April 18, 2007

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DENVER -- In what could be good news for athletes and University of Northern Colorado students, athletic trainers are one step closer to official recognition in Colorado.

The Colorado House on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill by State Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, that would require athletic trainers to have a state license.

Officials at the University of Northern Colorado, which offers a major in athletic training, supported the measure.

"There's nothing in the state of Colorado that ensures that people who say they are athletic trainers actually are qualified, educated athletic trainers," said Shannon Courtney, athletic training program director at UNC. "You can take a basic sports injury course and call yourself an athletic trainer."

In addition to clarifying who's who, the measure could open more job opportunities for UNC's 100 students working toward degrees in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in athletic training, Courtney said.

UNC has one of five nationally-accredited athletic training programs in Colorado, and it has been accredited the longest.

Thirty of the athletic training majors participate in UNC's clinical program, where they work with student athletes.

The athletic trainers could move onto careers with professional sports teams, high schools or even hospitals and corporate programs, Courtney said.

Riesberg's bill, Senate Bill 24, essentially says the term "athletic trainer" can only be used by those who have completed a four-year college degree and who have passed a national certification test.

The bill does not require all people who practice sports medicine to become certified. It only says that anyone who wants to specifically identify as an athletic trainer get the certification, Riesberg said.

Riesberg passed a similar bill last year, but former Gov. Bill Owens vetoed it. It's unclear whether Gov. Bill Ritter will sign the new version.

House Republicans objected to the bill Wednesday.

"I think we've been down this road before; another profession to regulate," said Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, whose district includes Windsor. "I submit it's not a good idea."

But Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, said it was about safety.

"There is, I believe, the potential for serious injuries to occur without the proper training," he said, adding that officials at Colorado State University also support the measure. CSU-Pueblo also offers a degree in athletic training.

The Senate already passed the measure on a 24-9 vote March 1.

Riesberg said last year's effort met with roadblocks from chiropractors and physical therapists, who were concerned the new designation would let athletic trainers encroach on their specialized practices.

The bill changed to say that such providers can't compete in each other's areas of practice, Riesberg said.

Courtney said athletic trainers' specialized abilities are frequently used in tandem with chiropractors and physical therapists.

She said she believes UNC students stand to benefit from the legislation, which faces a vote in the House before it could be sent to Ritter.

"I think it's a great thing," she said.