(A) For purposes of this rule:
(1) "Amsterdam Guidelines" means the consensus statement on concussion in sport: the sixth international conference on concussion in sport held in Amsterdam, October 2022" (available on the OTPTAT board website http://otptat.ohio.gov).
(2) "Interscholastic athletics" means an interscholastic extracurricular activity that a school or school district sponsors or participates in that includes participants from more than one school or school district.
(3) "Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.
(4) "Youth" means an individual between the ages of four and nineteen who participated in a youth sports organization or interscholastic athletics and was removed from practice of competition under division (D) of section 3313.539 of the Revised Code or division (D) of section 3707.511 of the Revised Code, based on exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury while participating in practice or competition.
(5) "Youth sports organization" has the same meaning as in section 3707.51 of the Revised Code and means a public or nonpublic entity that organizes an athletic activity in which the athletes are not more than nineteen years of age and are required to pay a fee to participate in the athletic activity or whose cost to participate is sponsored by a business or nonprofit organization.
(B) An occupational therapist, physical therapist, and athletic trainer may assess and clear a youth to return to practice or competition if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) Pursuant to sections 3313.539 and 3707.511 of the Revised Code, the assessment and clearance is done:
(a) In consultation with a physician;
(b) Pursuant to the referral of a physician;
(c) In collaboration with a physician; or
(d) Under the supervision of a physician.
(2) The occupational therapist, physical therapist, and athletic trainer has completed education and training in the detection of concussions and/or sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, the clinical features of concussions and/or sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, assessment techniques, and the principles of safe return to play protocols consistent with the Amsterdam guidelines and/or nationally accepted standards and guidelines consistent with the Amsterdam guidelines.
(3) The occupational therapist, physical therapist, and athletic trainer maintains competency through continuing education activities in the detection of concussions and/or sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, the clinical features of concussions and/or sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, assessment techniques, and the principles of safe return to play protocols consistent with the Amsterdam guidelines and/or nationally accepted standards and guidelines consistent with the Amsterdam guidelines.
(C) The OTPTAT board recommends that occupational therapists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who assess and clear a youth to return to practice or competition in accordance with this rule do both of the following:
(1) Ensure that a portion of the required continuing education focus on the items listed in paragraphs (B)(2) and (B)(3) of this rule.
(2) Use the medical clearance to return to play after suspected concussion form located on the OTPTAT board website (http://otptat.ohio.gov).
Last updated December 17, 2023 at 9:45 PM