The goal of continuing education is to promote continued competence, development of current knowledge and skills, and enhancement of professional skills and judgment. Continuing education activities must focus on increasing knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the practice of athletic training.

(1) A licensed athletic trainer shall complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing education every two years. At least 10 of those hours must include evidence-based practice as outlined in subsection (4) of this section. The remaining hours may be in categories listed in subsection (5) of this section.

(2) A licensed athletic trainer must complete one hour of health equity continuing education every two years. The goal of health equity continuing education is to equip health care workers with the skills to recognize and address health inequities in their daily work.

The minimum standards include instruction on skills to address the structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities. These skills include individual level and system-level intervention, and self-reflection to assess how the licensee's social position can influence their relationship with patients and their communities. These skills enable a health care professional to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying in race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and other categories of identity.

(a) This training must be completed by the end of the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or during the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.

(b) Training must include content as listed in WAC 246-12-830 and RCW 43.70.613.

(c) The hours spent completing the training in health equity under this section will count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements for athletic trainer license renewal.

(3) A licensed athletic trainer may alternatively meet the requirement of 50 hours of continuing education if they hold a current certification from the board of certification for the athletic trainer (BOC). The required documentation is proof of certification during the two-year period.

(4) At least 10 hours of evidence-based practice must be obtained during the two-year reporting period through any of the following activities:

(a) Complete BOC approved workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, or home study courses. The required documentation for this activity is a certificate of completion.

(b) Graduate from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited post-professional athletic training graduate program. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is an official transcript indicating graduation within the two-year period.

(c) Graduate from a PhD, EdD, DSc program if dissertation has a narrow focus of athletic training. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is an official transcript indicating graduation within the reporting period and a copy of the dissertation.

(d) Present a BOC approved evidence-based practice program. A maximum of 10 hours per evidence-based practice topic may be applied in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of acknowledgment that includes the date, title, and intended audience from the conference coordinator.

(e) Complete a CAATE accredited athletic trainer residency or fellowship. A maximum of 20 hours per year may be applied in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter from the residency or fellowship director.

(f) Any other evidence-based practice activity as approved by the secretary.

(5) Remaining hours may be obtained through any of the following activities:

(a) BOC approved workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, or home study courses. The required documentation for this activity is a certificate of completion.

(b) Professional activities.

(i) Speaker at a conference or seminar for health care providers. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per topic in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of acknowledgment that includes the date, title, and intended audience from the conference coordinator.

(ii) Panelist at a conference or seminar for health care providers. A maximum of five hours may be applied per topic in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of acknowledgment that includes the date, title, and intended audience from the conference coordinator.

(iii) Primary author of an article in a nonrefereed journal. A maximum of five hours may be applied per article in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the article.

(iv) Author of an article in a refereed journal. A maximum of 15 hours may be applied per article in the two-year period for primary authors. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per article in the two-year period for secondary authors. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the article.

(v) Author of an abstract in a refereed journal. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per abstract in the two-year period for primary authors. A maximum of five hours may be applied per abstract in the two-year period for secondary authors. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the abstract.

(vi) Author of a published textbook. A maximum of 40 hours may be applied per book in the two-year reporting period for primary authors. A maximum of 20 hours may be applied per book in the two-year reporting period for secondary authors. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the title page with the publication date.

(vii) Contributing author of a published textbook. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per book in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the title page with the publication date and list of contributors.

(viii) Author of a peer-reviewed or refereed poster presentation. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per presentation in the two-year period for primary authors. A maximum of five hours may be applied per presentation in the two-year period for secondary authors. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of acknowledgment that includes the date and title of the presentation from the conference coordinator.

(ix) Primary author of published multimedia material, including CD, audio, or video. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per publication in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a copy of the publication.

(x) Participating member of clinical research study team. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied in the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter from the principal investigator or a copy of the institutional review board approval with investigators listed.

(xi) Primary author of a home study course. A maximum of 10 hours may be applied per course in the two-year reporting period. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of approval.

(xii) Reviewer of a refereed publication. A maximum of five hours may be applied per review, with a limit of 20 hours applied per two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is a disposition letter.

(xiii) Exam item writer for BOC exam or other health care professional exams. A maximum of five hours may be applied per year of active item writing. The required documentation for this activity is a letter of acknowledgment from the exam company.

(c) Post certification college or university course work. A maximum of 10 continuing education hours per credit hour may be applied during the two-year period. The required documentation for this activity is an official transcript from an accredited college or university.

(d) Activities by non-BOC approved providers.

(i) Workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars that are directly related to athletic training. The required documentation for this activity is verification of attendance.

(ii) Videos, DVDs, audiotapes, multimedia, webinars, home study courses. Each activity must have an examination. The required documentation for this activity is documentation verifying completion.

(6) A licensed athletic trainer shall comply with the requirements of WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-240.