4. To be eligible for appointment by a board of education as a school athletic trainer in any public school, an applicant shall possess an educational services certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any person who is employed as a school athletic trainer in a public school prior to the effective date of P.L.1999, c.87 (C.18A:26-2.4 et al.) may continue to be so employed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.18A:28-4.