Concussion | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

NYSED Guidelines for Concussion Management In Schools (NYSED 8/2023)

NYS law requires that students who sustained, or are suspected of having sustained, a concussion during athletic activities (interscholastic sports) are to be immediately removed from such activities. Such students may not return to athletic activities (interscholastic sports) until they have been symptom-free for a minimum of 24 hours and have been evaluated by and received written and signed authorization to return to activities from a duly licensed physician.

CDC Heads Up Concussion Resources

CDC Heads Up
This CDC program has many resources available for the school nurse, teacher, administration, and parent, including training, signs and symptoms, returning to school, returning to sports and activities, and much more.

Heads Up Resource Center
Provides online, print, and video materials along with Head Injury Concussion Resources for physicians, coaches, school nurses, teachers, and counselors.

Heads Up for School Sports
Assists coaches, parents, and athletes in correctly identifying and responding to a concussion.

Concussion Training Courses

School nurses, certified athletic trainers, physical education teachers, and coaches are required to complete a NYSED-approved concussion training course every 2 years.

Note: The courses listed below are national training courses. Therefore, what unlicensed school personnel are permitted to do and the scope of practice of certified athletic trainers and school nurses in NYS may differ from what is described in the training. School personnel and licensed or certified health professionals in NYS must follow NYS laws and regulations.

School Nurses

HEADS UP to Healthcare Providers Online Training for School Health Professionals (1 hour)
This course is a free NYSED-approved course for school nurses and must be completed every two years.

Certified Athletic Trainers

Certified Athletic Trainers can choose from the below NYSED-approved concussion training courses:

HEADS UP to Healthcare Providers Online Training for School Health Professionals (1 hour)
This course is a free NYSED-approved course for certified athletic trainers and must be completed every two years.

HEADS UP to Athletic Trainers: Online Concussion Training (2 hours)
This course is a free NYSED-approved course for certified athletic trainers and must be completed every two years.

Coaches & PE Teachers

Coaches and PE teachers can choose from the below NYSED-approved concussion training courses:

HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training for Coaches (45 minutes)
This course is a free NYSED-approved course for coaches and PE teachers and must be completed every two years.

Concussion in Sports Course (1 hour)
This course is a free NYSED-approved course for coaches and PE teachers and must be completed every two years. It is available in both English and Spanish.

NYS Department of Health Resources

On 9/3/2019, Article 25 of the public health law was amended by adding a new Title VII entitled YOUTH SPORTS, Section 2595. It requires all tackle football programs to provide information on concussions to all parents of children playing tackle football. This law was effective 12.2.19.

Traumatic Brain Injury
NYSDOH information on brain injuries, prevention, medical care, data, and statistics.

NYSDOH Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Screening

Traumatic Brain Injury Resources

Sports-Related Concussion Resources
Provides links to information on tackle football, "When in Doubt...Take Them Out!" sports-related concussion prevention campaign, and LEARNet, a resource developed by the Brain Injury Association of New York State, along with additional information.

Other Resources

Concussion Management: A guide to understanding the best practices when it comes to identifying, reacting, and responding to concussions

NYSPHSAA (NYS Public High School Athletic Association) Safety and Research Page
Provides information about high school athletics, including a summary of the concussion law, sample policies, guidelines and procedures, student and parent information sheets, symptom checklists, and other concussion management support materials.

Research: Fifth Berlin Concussion Statement Consensus Statement On Concussion in Sport
5th International Conference On Concussion in Sport, Berlin, October 2016

New York State Center for School Health