Get Certified

To become a BOC-certified athletic trainer (AT), you must earn a degree from a college or university with an accredited athletic training program, then – depending on your state regulation – take and pass the exam administered by the Omaha-based Board of Certification (BOC).

Don't have a Bachelors Degree?

• Go to http://www.caate.net/
• Leave State field blank, select Undergraduate in the Program Type area
• Click Submit to see the listing of all undergraduate level programs

Bachelors Degree Holder?

1. You can get a second bachelor’s from one of the schools mentioned above. 
2. Or you can get a masters in athletic training from a university with an accredited entry level masters program.  There are fewer than 20 of these.  For a list of schools with accredited entry-level masters programs, go to:

• Go to http://www.caate.net/
• Click on Accredited Programs (in the brown heading stripe)
• Leave State field blank, select Entry Level Masters in the Program Type area
• Click Submit to see the listing of all entry level masters programs

Already hold the ATC credential?

Consider an advanced masters degree program. There are about a dozen of these. For a list of these programs, go to the CAATE website at http://www.caate.net.

Admissions information:  For questions about admission to an accredited program, contact the program director at the individual college or university. 

State practice acts: Most states regulate the profession of athletic training.  Go to http://www.nata.org/members1/gov_affairs/stateregboards.cfm (requires members-only login) to check the regulatory act in states where you may wish to practice.  Verifying the requirements in advance is important because in some cases you cannot start your first day on the job until you have met the stipulated qualifications.

Certification: For certification information, go to www.bocatc.org or contact staff@bocatc.org or call 877.BOC.EXAM. 

Student membership:College students are eligible to join NATA.  Learn more about student membership, careers in athletic training and other aspects of the profession at http://www.nata.org/students.

Maintaining Your Credential

The BOC  Recertification Requirements outline the requirements to maintain your BOC certification. The requirements include information about completing the continuing education (CE) requirements, meeting the emergency cardiac care (ECC) requirements, submitting the BOC certification fee and adhering to the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.