Md. Code, Health Occupations § 14-5D-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Alternate supervising physician” means one or more physicians designated by the supervising physician to provide supervision of an athletic trainer:

(1) During the absence of the supervising physician; and

(2) In accordance with the evaluation and treatment protocol on file with the Board.

(c) “Athletic individual” means an individual who participates in an athletic activity, a job function, or a job–related activity that requires physical strength, range of motion, flexibility, control, speed, stamina, or agility.

(d) “Board” means the State Board of Physicians.

(e) “Committee” means the Athletic Trainer Advisory Committee established under § 14–5D–04 of this subtitle.

(e–1) “Dry needling” means an intramuscular manual therapy that:

(1) Involves the insertion of one or more solid needles into the muscle and related tissues to effect change in the muscle and related tissues;

(2) Requires ongoing evaluation, assessment, and reevaluation of an impairment;

(3) Is used only in parts of the body with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal links to an impairment; and

(4) Is not performed for:

(i) The purposes of acupuncture as defined in § 1A–101 of this article; or

(ii) Any purpose outside of the scope of practice of athletic trainers.

(f) “Evaluation and treatment protocol” means a document that is executed by a physician and an athletic trainer that meets the requirements of § 14–5D–11 of this subtitle.

(g) “License” means a license issued by the Board to practice athletic training.

(h) “Licensed athletic trainer” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to practice athletic training.

(i) “Licensed health care practitioner” means an individual licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice a health occupation under this article.

(j) “National certifying board” means the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc., or its successor organization.

(k) “Nonsupervising physician” means a physician licensed by the Board who is not the supervising physician of the licensed athletic trainer.

(l) “Outside referral” means a request for treatment from a nonsupervising physician or licensed health care practitioner.

(m) (1) “Practice athletic training” means application of the following principles and methods for managing injuries for athletic individuals in good overall health under the supervision of a licensed physician:

(i) Prevention and wellness promotion;

(ii) Clinical evaluation, examination, assessment, and determination of a plan of care, including appropriate referrals;

(iii) Immediate care and emergency care; and

(iv) Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning.

(2) “Practice athletic training” includes:

(i) Organization and administration of an athletic training program;

(ii) Instruction to coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, and community members regarding the care and prevention of injuries; and

(iii) Recognition and management of a concussion, including management of an athletic individual’s progressive return to activity.

(3) “Practice athletic training” does not include:

(i) The practice of:

1. Chiropractic, including adjustments, manipulation, or high velocity mobilizations of the spine or extremities;

2. Massage therapy;

3. Medicine;

4. Occupational therapy;

5. Physical therapy; or

6. Podiatry;

(ii) The reconditioning of systemic neurologic injuries, conditions, or disease; or

(iii) The treatment of disease.

(n) “Supervising physician” means a physician who has been approved by the Board to supervise one or more athletic trainers.

(o) “Supervision” means the responsibility of a physician to provide ongoing and immediately available instruction, in person, by telephone, or by other electronic means, that is adequate to ensure the safety and welfare of a patient and is appropriate to the setting.