AlabamaSB1602026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Athletic Trainers; interstate licensure compact, established

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Athletic trainers gain interstate practice access

Alabama’s law takes effect October 1, 2026; the compact starts when the seventh state enacts it. Eligible athletic trainers can practice in other member states, including through telehealth, without separate licenses there. Trainers designate one qualifying license, which need not come from their home state; separate state licenses remain an option. Eligibility requires active Board of Certification certification or an approved education pathway plus the required exam or its equivalent. Trainers must pass a criminal background check and have no license or compact-privilege restrictions during the previous two years. They must notify the Commission of intended practice states, pay applicable fees, and meet their qualifying state’s ongoing licensing requirements. They must follow practice, supervision, and legal requirements where the patient is located and report specified out-of-state restrictions within 30 days. The privilege expires with the qualifying license and must be renewed with it.

Trainer discipline can block interstate work

Only the state issuing a trainer’s qualifying license can discipline that license; other states can restrict privileges within their borders. Those states must follow due process and can impose fines or other protective measures. A pending adverse disciplinary order against the qualifying license deactivates compact privileges in every member state. A qualifying license with restrictions blocks compact practice until cleared, followed by two years without restrictions and renewed eligibility. Other privilege restrictions can last until removal periods end, fines are paid, and compact requirements are met. States can share evidence, investigate together, and issue or serve subpoenas; they must give out-of-state conduct equal priority. They cannot discipline conduct that was legal where and when it happened, and can charge investigation costs only when state law allows. Participation in alternative programs remains nonpublic when state law or rules require it.

Military trainers and spouses pay less

Active military members and their spouses do not pay the Commission’s athletic trainer compact-privilege fee. Alabama can charge them a reduced state fee or no state fee. The Commission exemption does not itself eliminate state fees.

Trainers face new interstate practice fees

Member states can charge athletic trainers to get or renew interstate practice privileges. The Compact Commission can also charge trainers with these privileges and assess member states each year. Commission charges can fund the approved annual budget only to the extent other revenue does not cover it. Commission rules divide the assessments among member states. The law sets no dollar amounts for these fees or assessments.

Trainers get time when states exit

A state can leave the compact by passing a repeal law; withdrawal takes effect 180 days after enactment. It must notify licensees and privilege holders and recognize compact privileges for at least 180 days after notice. It must also keep reporting required investigations and discipline involving events before withdrawal takes effect. The Commission can terminate membership after an uncured default, exhausted compliance efforts, and approval by a majority of state commissioners. A terminated state must notify licensees and recognize compact licenses and privileges for at least 180 days after termination notice. Suspended or terminated states remain responsible for obligations incurred before the effective date, including obligations extending beyond termination. A defaulting or terminated state can appeal in federal court; Commission enforcement lawsuits require a two-thirds vote.

States share trainer records with safeguards

Member states must maintain common compact laws, license trainers, set ongoing competence standards, and investigate complaints. They must use fingerprint-based FBI and state criminal-history checks when deciding whether to issue qualifying licenses. These checks must begin within the timeline set by compact rules. States must submit required license, privilege, discipline, and significant investigation records to a shared system and monitor adverse actions. Current significant investigation information is available only to member states, and interstate disclosure of FBI criminal-history information is restricted. Records expunged under applicable federal or contributing-state law must be removed. A contributing state can block public release of designated records unless it expressly agrees.

New commission governs interstate trainer licensing

The law creates a joint state commission to run the compact on or after the compact takes effect. Each member state appoints one voting commissioner, and the Commission must meet at least once each calendar year. It can adopt rules, hire staff, contract for services, and operate the shared licensing system. Alabama’s law takes effect October 1, 2026; compact rules bind member states without separate state rulemaking, and the compact overrides conflicting state requirements. A court can prevent a Commission rule from applying where it conflicts with a state’s athletic-trainer practice laws. The Commission must keep accurate accounts, conduct an annual financial review or audit, and cannot pledge state credit without secured funds or consent. Commission personnel receive civil immunity for official-duty actions, including actions they reasonably believe fall within their duties. The Commission must defend them and cover qualifying claims, settlements, or judgments, except for intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Matt Woods
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Arthur Orr
Republican • Senate
Greg Albritton
Republican • Senate
Lance Bell
Republican • Senate
Will Barfoot
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 270 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 781

Yes: 105 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 402

Yes: 30 • No: 0