California § 2529.8.1 - A person shall not hold themselves out to be an athletic trainer, use the title

§ 2529.8.1. A person shall not hold themselves out to be an athletic trainer, use the title

(a) A person shall not hold themselves out to be an athletic trainer, use the title “athletic trainer,” “certified athletic trainer,” “licensed athletic trainer,” “registered athletic trainer,” or any other term such as “AT,” “ATC,” “LAT,” or “CAT” to imply or suggest that the person is an athletic trainer, unless they meet the following requirements: (1) Have done either of the following: (A) Graduated from a college or university after completing an athletic training education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, or its predecessors or successors. (B) Completed eligibility requirements for certification by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, or its predecessors or successors. (2) Is certified by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, or its predecessors or successors. (b) It is an unfair business practice within the meaning of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7 for a person to use the title “athletic trainer,” “certified athletic trainer,” “licensed athletic trainer,” “registered athletic trainer,” or any other term such as “AT,” “ATC,” “LAT,” or “CAT,” that implies or suggests that the person is an athletic trainer, if they do not meet the requirements of subdivision (a). (c) A person shall not hold themselves out to be an athletic trainer or use any of the titles listed under subdivisions (a) and (b) if either of the following is true: (1) The person has been convicted in a court in or outside of this state of any offense that, if committed or attempted in this state, based on the elements of the convicted offense, would have been punishable as one or more of the offenses described in subdivision (c) of Section 290 of the Penal Code. (2) The person has an athletic trainer license or registration in another state that was disciplined or is otherwise restricted, or if an accusation or similar document initiating disciplinary action is pending against the license or registration. (d) A person who is currently using one of the titles listed under subdivisions (a) and (b) and is covered under a collective bargaining agreement is not subject to the requirements of this section until the parties to that bargaining agreement renew that agreement. At that time, a person shall not use the titles listed in subdivisions (a) and (b) if the individual does not meet the requirements of this section. Those individuals may choose a different title to describe their positions under the new collective bargaining agreement. (e) An employee whose title is changed in order to comply with this section shall not suffer any loss of employment status as a result of the title change, including, but not limited to, layoff, demotion, termination, reclassification, or loss of pay, seniority, benefits, or any other status or compensation related to the position. (f) This section does not apply to professional trainers licensed by the State Athletic Commission.