Continuing Ed Now Required for NY Trainers

Thoroughbred trainers and assistant trainers in New York will now be required to complete four hours of continuing education (CE) coursework each year as a condition of licensure.

The proposal passed via unopposed voice vote at the Dec. 13 New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) meeting, but it was the second time in six weeks that the CE matter had come up for a vote.

Prior to the Nov. 1 meeting, both The Jockey Club (TJC) and the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) had written in support of the new rule. But when the NYSGC received a “very late” comment from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) that questioned the implementation and accessibility of the coursework, the board opted to table the motion while further information was gathered for the Dec. 13 meeting.

“[NYTHA] raised two concerns,” executive director Robert Williams told commissioners at Tuesday's meeting. “That only Thoroughbred horse trainers are subject to the rule while Standardbred trainers are not, and that there may be a lack of available, approved courses. Staff reviewed the comment, and believes that existing training programs will readily meet the NYTHA concerns. As for Standardbred trainers, commission staff are working on a similar proposal.”

Williams said trainers and assistants will initially be able to choose among five existing free online “modules” that are offered by TJC, and that it is his understanding that TJC “plans on supplementing the offerings.” On-track presentations that are occasionally offered by the state equine medical director and programs sponsored by the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists hospital (located opposite the Belmont Park backstretch) will also count toward the CE requirement. Williams added that the commission would “likely endorse” future coursework sponsored by ARCI.

Right now all of the above-mentioned programs are free of charge, and Williams estimated there is currently enough available coursework to satisfy two years' worth of requirements. He said the NYSGC will welcome proposals from other organizations that wish to create future coursework; topics can include (but are not limited to) equine health, safety and welfare, plus small business, ethics, and human resource training.

“Creating a continuing education requirement for all trainers will bring knowledge- and evidence-based research to an audience that would otherwise generally not be exposed to it,” Williams said. “Continuing education for trainers should improve the quality of the horsemanship at New York racetracks and enhance equine welfare.”

According to details of the rule published in the New York State Register, trainers and assistants are “required to maintain a record of completion of the CE course. The provider of such training will be required to report such information electronically to the Commission.”

The text of the rule also includes an opt-out provision for licensees who only occasionally race in New York: “Trainers and assistant trainers who are not domiciled in New York and have 12 or fewer starts during the previous 12 months may request a waiver of this requirement from the state Steward.”