First Aid/CPR/AED Certification/Safety Training

Chapter 33 of the Texas Education Code, section 33.086 states:

§33.086. Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aide.: (a) A school district employee who serves as the head director of a school marching band or as the head coach or chief sponsor for an extracurricular athletic activity, including cheerleading, sponsored or sanctioned by a school district or the University Interscholastic League must maintain and submit to the district proof of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or another organization that provides equivalent training and certification.

(b) Each school district shall adopt procedures necessary for administering this section, including procedures for the time and manner in which proof of current certification must be submitted.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 396, § 2.14(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 881, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

§ 22.902. Instruction related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and use of Automated External Defibrillator.: Sec. 22.902. INSTRUCTION RELATED TO CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR.

(a) A school district shall, in accordance with the policy adopted under Section 21.4515, make available to district employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code.

(b) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 545 (S.B. 199), Sec. 4(1), eff. September 1, 2021.

(c) Each school nurse, assistant school nurse, athletic coach or sponsor, physical education instructor, marching band director, cheerleading coach, and any other school employee specified by the commissioner and each student who serves as an athletic trainer must participate in the instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. A person described by this subsection must receive and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally recognized association.

d) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

(e) A private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the agency or receives funding from the agency to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator or an open-enrollment charter school shall adopt a policy under which the school makes available to school employees and volunteer nurses instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. The policy must comply with the requirements prescribed by this section and commissioner rules adopted under this section, including the requirements prescribed by Subsection (c).

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371 (S.B. 7), Sec. 3, eff. June 15, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 545 (S.B. 199), Sec. 4(1), eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 10, eff. June 18, 2021. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 996 (S.B. 865), Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2025.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371, § 3, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 33.202. Safety Training Required.

(a) The University Interscholastic League shall develop and adopt an extracurricular activity safety training program as provided by this section. In developing the program, the league may use materials available from the American Red Cross, Emergency Medical Systems (EMS), or another appropriate entity.

(b) The following persons must satisfactorily complete the safety training program in accordance with the policy adopted under Section 21.4515:

(1) a coach, trainer, or sponsor for an extracurricular athletic activity; and

(2) a director responsible for a school marching band.

(1) certification of participants by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or a similar organization or by the University Interscholastic League;

(2) current training in:

(A) emergency action planning;

(B) communicating effectively with 9-1-1 emergency service operators and other emergency personnel; and

(C) recognizing symptoms of potentially catastrophic injuries, including head and neck injuries, concussions, injuries related to second impact syndrome, asthma attacks, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and injuries requiring use of a defibrillator; and

(3) a safety drill that incorporates the training described by Subdivision (2) and simulates various injuries described by Subdivision (2)(C).

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (S.B. 82), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 439 (S.B. 1376), Sec. 2.01, eff. June 4, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 15, eff. June 18, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (S.B. 1267), Sec. 24(9), eff. June 18, 2021.

Concussion Training Requirements of Texas Education Code, Section 38.158: HB 2038 as passed by the 82nd Legislature and signed by the Governor also added section 38.158 to the Texas Education Code, which concerns training requirements for coaches, athletic trainers and potential members of a Concussion Oversight Team in the subject matter of concussions, including evaluation, prevention, symptoms, risks, and long-term effects. For purposes of compliance with TEC section 38.158, the UIL authorizes all Continuing Professional Education (CPE) providers that are approved and registered by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) as approved individuals and organizations to provide concussion education training.

A current listing of approved providers is found here: https://www.uiltexas.org/health/concussions