California Code of Regulations
Title 4 - Business Regulations
Division 2 - State A thletic Commission
Chapter 1 - Professional Boxing Rules
Article 6 - Physical Examinations and Safety
Section 280 - Examination of Boxer Applicants

Universal Citation: 4 CA Code of Regs 280

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Any boxer applying for a license or renewal thereof shall be examined by a physician currently licensed by this state to establish both physical and mental fitness for competition. Such examination shall be taken at such time as directed by the commission. Any boxer licensed by the commission who participates in a boxing match or contest outside the State of California may be required, upon his return to California, to again take this examination before being allowed to box in California. The results of such contests shall be reported to the nearest commission office by the licensee within 72 hours of his return to California.

(b) An examination of an applicant or licensee may be accepted by the commission if it is performed by a physician authorized to perform such examinations by the state or nation in which the examination is conducted and if it is conducted in accordance with commission instructions, including the use of applicable forms prescribed by the commission.

(c) In addition to or as part of subsection (a), any boxer applying for a license or renewal shall submit to and complete a medical examination process, which shall include the following:

(1) A neurological examination, which must be performed by a licensed physician that specializes in neurology or neurosurgery. Except as provided in subsection (b) of section 18711 of the Business and Professions Code, this examination is valid for 12 months.

(2) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using standard brain protocol to include Gradient Echo Imaging (GRE) or Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI), which shall be interpreted by a licensed neurologist, neurosurgeon, or neuroradiologist and is valid for 36 months.

(3) An electrocardiogram (EKG), which must be performed by a licensed physician. This medical test is only required once, unless the licensed physician recommends another EKG, or the commission requires the applicant to submit to another EKG, based on good cause that the applicant is at risk for serious injury or permanent or temporary impairment of a bodily function.

(4) A physical examination, which must be performed by a licensed physician and is valid for 12 months.

(5) An eye examination, which must be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist and must meet the requirements set forth in Section of Title 4282 of Title 4 of the California Code of Regulations. This examination is valid for 12 months.

(6) The following required blood tests, which shall be taken within 30 days prior to the date of application and are valid for six months:
(A) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Antibody

(B) Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)

(C) Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody

(d) The laboratory that administered the required blood tests shall be a laboratory in the United States that possesses a certificate under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 263a). The results of each blood test shall be submitted to the commission on the letterhead of the laboratory that administered them.

(e) The examining physician may recommend or require any additional tests or evaluations he or she deems necessary, as specified in Business and Professions Code section 18711.

(f) The commission may require additional neurological diagnostic testing to provide concussion management and may use these diagnostics to determine the appropriate time for return to competition or retirement from competition in combat sports.

(g) The commission may waive the requirement for a brain imaging scan or an EKG if a brain imaging scan or EKG was completed as part of the licensing requirements in another state, as specified in Business and Professions Code section 18711.

(h) The commission shall accept tests or evaluations that are equivalent to those described in subsection (c) and that have been completed within 12 months of licensure.

(i) In accordance with section 18711 of the Business and Professions Code, the commission shall collect one quarter of one percent of gross ticket sales, from each licensed promoter of professional matches, per event sanctioned by the commission. If the State Athletic Commission Neurological Examination Account balance falls below one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the amount of the assessment shall be re-examined by the commission. The amount collected shall be deposited in and credited to the State Athletic Commission Neurological Examination Account and shall be used to pay for the costs of examinations required by section 18711.

1. Change without regulatory effect of NOTE (Register 87, No. 5).
2. New subsections (c)-(i) filed 3-16-2022; operative 7-1-2022. Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20 (Register 2022, No. 11).

Note: Authority cited: Section 18611, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 18640, 18642, 18661 and 18711, Business and Professions Code.

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