From the VHSL
		Athletic trainers must be licensed The League staff reminds member schools that, effective July 1, 2002, all persons acting as athletic trainers must be licensed as such by the Virginia Board of Medicine. It is now unlawful for any person to practice as an athletic trainer unless he or she has met the state’s licensing requirements. Athletic training is defined as the "prevention, recognition, evaluation and treatment of injuries or conditions related to athletic or recreational activity that requires physical skill and utilizes strength, power, endurance, speed, flexibility, range of motion or agility or a substantially similar injury or condition resulting from occupational activity immediately upon the onset of such injury or condition; and subsequent treatment and rehabilitation of such injuries or conditions under the direction of a licensed physical therapist and the patient’s physician or under the direction of any doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry or dentistry, while using heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, exercise or mechanical or other devices." This law specifically states that it does not prohibit coaches or other persons from administering necessary first aid or conducting or assisting with exercise or conditioning programs within the scope of their duties. However, no school should allow any person to act as an athletic trainer who has not been licensed by the state of Virginia. If you have specific questions concerning the applicability of this requirement, you should consult with your local district’s legal counsel.