Like other health care professions, athletic trainers face significant challenges when seeking to provide services across state lines due to varying and often time-intensive licensure requirements. To address this issue, I plan to introduce legislation authorizing Pennsylvania to join the Athletic Trainer Compact (AT Compact), an interstate licensure agreement designed to reduce barriers for multistate practice.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense partnered with The Council of State Governments (CSG) to develop interstate licensure compacts aimed at strengthening occupational license portability, particularly for military families. In April 2024, athletic trainers were selected for compact development. Following a year-long stakeholder process that included state regulators, educators, licensed athletic trainers, and professional associations, model legislation was finalized. 

The AT Compact seeks to preserve Pennsylvania’s full regulatory authority to protect public health and safety while enabling qualified athletic trainers to practice in other member states through a more efficient process. By facilitating licensure portability, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing public protection, we can improve sharing of disciplinary and investigative information among member states. Eligible athletic trainers would be able to obtain a “compact privilege” to practice in participating states while maintaining their primary license in their home state. To date, 11 states have introduced legislation to join. If Pennsylvania is among the first seven states to enact a law, we will have a seat at the table in establishing the Compact Commission and shaping the initial rules and implementation framework.

This proposal promotes workforce development while maintaining state sovereignty and regulatory oversight. Patient access will increase, military families will be supported, and the athletic trainers we educate and train in Pennsylvania will have a more prosperous future. I hope you will join me in supporting this important initiative.