Section 220. Duties of ringside physicians

The assigned ringside physician shall comply with all procedures established by the department and perform the following duties before, during, and after each assigned contest:

1. Conduct a physical examination of each referee immediately before the contest to assure his fitness to act as a referee;

2. Conduct a physical examination and take a medical history of each boxer or martial artist immediately before the contest to assure his fitness to compete;

3. Report to the event inspector or his designee promptly at the time directed and remain at ringside during the entire duration of all contests assigned;

4. Signal the referee immediately in the event an injury is observed which the referee has not observed and enter the ring only after the referee has stopped or suspended the action;

5. Render immediate medical aid to any boxer or martial artist injured during a contest and, where appropriate, accompany the boxer or martial artist to the hospital or other place where competent medical aid may be delivered. In no case shall the assigned ringside physician cease the direct application of his skills as a physician to an injured boxer or martial artist until such time as the ringside physician, in his best medical judgment, determines that his services are no longer necessary or the injured boxer or martial artist is under the care of other medically competent individuals;

6. Assure all substances in the possession of seconds, trainers, or cut men are appropriate for use on boxers or martial artists during the course of the contest; and

7. Report immediately to the department or its contractor his determination of the fitness of each boxer or martial artist to participate in the boxing or martial arts contest. A written report summarizing the results of his examination of each boxer or martial artist shall be provided to the department or its contractor within 24 hours after the date of the licensed boxing or martial arts event.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 25, eff. September 7, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia.