Public Protection
Certification Verification
Official Verification
Official verification of current athletic training certification status can be ordered for state licensure or employment purposes. Requests are processed within two business days of receipt.
There is a $30 processing fee.
Please note that verification is sent directly to the state regulatory agency or the employer.
Order Certification Verification
Basic Online Verification
Anyone may request verification of an AT’s certification. If official verification is not needed, search the online registry.
Search Online Registry
Status Definitions
The following status definitions are effective as of January 1, 2012 per the BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures.
Certified
Certification is in good standing. Individuals may practice as authorized by the BOC.
Expired
Certification is voluntarily resigned for reasons unrelated to disciplinary proceedings. ATs with an Expired status may not represent themselves as Certified Athletic Trainers or use the ATC® certification mark.
Certification is forfeited due to non-compliance with BOC certification fee and/or continuing education requirements. Respondents with an Expired status may not represent themselves as Certified Athletic Trainers or use the ATC® certification mark.
Suspended
Certification is not in good standing as a result of the imposition of a disciplinary action of the BOC chief executive officer’s decision that there is cause to believe that a threat of immediate and irreparable injury to the health of the public exists. Respondents with a Suspended status may not represent themselves as a Certified Athletic Trainer or use the ATC® mark.
The Disciplinary Action Exchange (DAE) was developed to help the BOC, states and consumers locate disciplinary actions in an efficient manner.
Launch DAE
Standards
Overview
Standards of Professional Practice
Athletic Trainers are required to comply with the “BOC Standards of Professional Practice,” which consists of Practice Standards and the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Download BOC Standards of Professional Practice-Effective January 2024
Download BOC Standards of Professional Practice-Effective January 2022
Discipline
Disciplinary Guidelines
The “BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures” are intended to inform Athletic Trainers, athletic training students, customers of athletic training services and members of the public of the disciplinary guidelines and procedures.
Download Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures-Effective January 1, 2020
NCCA Accreditation
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accreditation body of Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). The NCCA’s mission is to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of individual certification programs that assess professional competency. The NCCA sets standards that include “Essential Elements” that must be met by organizations offering certification programs.
The NCCA “Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs” categories:
1. Purpose, Governance and Resources
2. Responsibilities to Stakeholders
3. Assessment Instruments
4. Recertification
5. Maintaining Accreditation
BOC requirements are often originated from NCCA standards. These standards answer questions as to why ATs must complete continuing education units (CEUs) and why the BOC and NATA are two separate organizations. Examples include but are not limited to:
- BOC recertification must demonstrate that continued competence is in the best interest of the public and athletic training profession.
- BOC recertification requirements must measure or enhance continued competence of ATs.
- The BOC must be structured and governed in a way that is appropriate for the profession, occupation, role or skill and that ensures autonomy in decision making over essential certification activities.The BOC has the only accredited certification program for Athletic Trainers in the US. Since 1982, the BOC has been continuously accredited by the NCCA and must undergo review and reaccreditation every five years.
CAATE Accredited Programs
The mission of the BOC is “to provide exceptional credentialing programs for healthcare professionals to assure protection of the public.” To attain certification, an individual must 1) graduate from an athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) or meet the ARTI or CATA eligibility requirements and 2) pass the BOC exam.
The CAATE is the agency responsible for the accreditation of more than 360 professional (entry-level) athletic training programs, 16 Post-Professional Degree Programs and two Residencies. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) cooperate to sponsor the CAATE and collaborate to develop the “Standards for Entry-Level Athletic Training Educational Programs.”
Disciplinary Action Exchange
The Disciplinary Action Exchange (DAE) was developed to help the BOC, states and consumers locate disciplinary actions in an efficient manner.
The BOC encourages all states to participate in the DAE. The DAE contains final BOC disciplinary actions that have been deemed public, as well as disciplinary actions taken by state regulatory agencies.
- If you would like more information in regards to a disciplinary action taken by a state, please contact the State Regulatory Agency.
- If you would like more information in regards to a disciplinary action taken by the BOC, please send an email to Professional Practice Manager.
