Ep 104. To The Bone: Who is working on the Californian Sidelines? with Veronica Heard

California’s athletic training title protection was supposed to be a win. Instead, it sparked a high-stakes debate over who can practice, who is protected, and what happens when a school district prioritizes compliance over expertise.

Shelby Daly speaks with Veronica Heard, a certified athletic trainer working in a California school district, about the effects of AB 796. They discuss reclassification, title changes, the departure of a certified colleague, and concerns about athletic training roles being filled by people who may not be certified healthcare providers.

Together, they explore how district decisions can affect athlete safety and professional credibility, and why a change in job title can have consequences beyond recognition. The conversation also examines scope of practice, liability coverage, school district policies, and the difference between title protection and licensure.In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Why California’s title protection is not the same as licensureHow district policies can fall short of a law’s intentThe concerns behind reclassification—and why the fight is about respect, not removing people from their jobsThe risks of assigning healthcare responsibilities to staff without athletic training credentialsWhy parents and administrators need to understand what athletic trainers do

This discussion reaches beyond one district to consider the future of athletic training in schools, sports medicine, concussion care, return-to-play decisions, and the need for stronger professional standards and protections.

If you’re interested in athletic training, school-based healthcare, sports medicine, or title protection in California, this episode offers an important look at who is working on the sidelines—and what’s at stake.