Professional Licensure/Certification

Upon passing the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam, individuals must follow through on various items to be able to appropriately transition from ‘Eligible for Certification’ to officially recognized as an athletic trainer. Please note that individuals may not legally use the credential ‘ATC’ until these items are completed and processed by the BOC.

Once individuals become formally certified, they must also obtain state/commonwealth licensure, certification, or registration via the respective regulatory board (e.g. Board of Athletic Training, State Board of Medicine, State Board of Medical Examiners, etc.). Regardless of BOC credentialing as an ATC, individuals may not legally practice as an athletic trainer in a state or commonwealth without obtaining licensure, certification, or registration in that specific state/commonwealth BEFORE rendering services (barring California, at the moment).

While transitioning from candidate to athletic trainer, it is also strongly recommended that individuals obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. An NPI number is issued to health care professionals and covered entities that transmit standard HIPAA electronic transactions.