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HB 928

Allow Physical Therapists in School Concussion Protocol.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Celeste Cairns and 4 co-sponsors

North Carolina public school athletes can now receive return-to-play clearance after concussion from licensed physical therapists.

Signed by Gov. 7/2/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 928

Summary — HB 928: Allow Physical Therapists in School Concussion Protocol

Status: Signed into law (Session Law 2025‑49). Approved by Governor July 2, 2025.
Introduced: April 10–14, 2025 (filed April 10, 2025).
Primary sponsors (NC): Representatives Chesser, Pyrtle, Cairns, Cunningham.
Statute amended: G.S. 115C‑407.57(b)(2).

Main purpose

To expand the list of health professionals who may evaluate student athletes after a suspected concussion and provide written medical clearance for returning to play to include licensed physical therapists.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.S. 115C‑407.57(b)(2), which governs removal-from-play and return‑to‑play procedures for students who exhibit signs or symptoms consistent with a concussion during interscholastic athletic activities.
  • Adds the following authorized evaluator to the existing list of professionals who may provide written clearance for a student's return to play:
    • “A physical therapist, licensed under Article 18E of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.”
  • Otherwise leaves the removal-from-play requirement intact: a student showing concussion signs must be removed immediately and may not return the same day; return on a subsequent day requires written clearance from an authorized evaluator.

Who is affected

  • Primary: public school student athletes participating in interscholastic athletics across North Carolina.
  • Secondary: school athletic staff (coaches, athletic trainers), school nurses, local education agencies (school districts), and licensed physical therapists who may be called on to evaluate and clear students.
  • Potentially affects parents/guardians and health insurers insofar as evaluations and documentation practices change.

Implementation and timeline

  • Effective immediately upon enactment (the statute states “This act is effective when it becomes law”); bill was ratified by the General Assembly and signed July 2, 2025 (Session Law 2025‑49).
  • School systems should update concussion protocols, written‑clearance forms, and local policies to recognize licensed physical therapists as authorized evaluators.
  • The law does not specify additional training, certification, or scope limits beyond the requirement that the evaluator be a licensed physical therapist under Article 18E, nor does it change other providers already authorized under the statute.

Impacts and considerations

  • Access: Expands the pool of qualified professionals who can clear students, which may improve timely access to evaluations in districts lacking on‑site physicians or athletic trainers.
  • Administrative: School districts should revise policies and communications to reflect the change and ensure appropriate documentation processes.
  • Liability/standards: The law does not alter professional standards of care or address malpractice/liability directly; those remain governed by existing professional and school policies.
  • Fiscal: No specific fiscal provisions; expected to have minimal direct state or local fiscal impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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