Becoming a certified athletic trainer requires a master’s degree from an accredited program, followed by passing a national certification exam. The process typically takes two to three years of graduate study, including extensive hands-on clinical experience, before you can sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and apply for state licensure.
A Master’s Degree Is Now Required
The minimum entry point into athletic training is a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This is a relatively recent shift. Previously, bachelor’s-level programs could qualify graduates for certification, but the profession transitioned fully to the graduate level. If you currently hold an undergraduate degree in another field, you can still pursue athletic training by enrolling in an accredited master’s program.
Admission to these programs typically requires a set of prerequisite courses completed during your undergraduate years. Penn State’s program, which is representative of most, requires coursework in anatomy and physiology, biological science, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics, each with a minimum grade of C. These prerequisites generally need to have been completed within the last five years to count. If you’re planning ahead as an undergraduate, majoring in exercise science, kinesiology, or biology will naturally cover most of these requirements.
What to Expect in a CAATE Program
Accredited athletic training programs blend classroom instruction with clinical rotations. You’ll study injury assessment, rehabilitation techniques, emergency care, nutrition, and healthcare administration. The clinical component is substantial: programs typically require a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experience over two years, averaging 15 to 25 hours per week during clinical semesters. These rotations place you in a variety of settings with different sports, patient populations, and healthcare environments so you develop a broad skill set rather than specializing too early.
Most programs take two full calendar years to complete, though some stretch slightly longer depending on how clinical rotations are structured. By graduation, you’ll have spent roughly as much time working with real patients under supervision as you did in the classroom.
The BOC Certification Exam
After completing your accredited program, your program director must confirm your eligibility before you can register for the BOC exam. This confirmation verifies that you’ve met all academic and clinical requirements. The application also includes an affidavit where you must disclose any felony or misdemeanor convictions and any academic suspensions or expulsions. If you have concerns about your eligibility, the BOC allows you to request a predetermination review before submitting your full application.
The exam itself is computer-based and can be taken at testing centers across the United States, Canada, and Ireland. Fees include an application charge of $35 to $60 and a registration fee of $330 to $430, depending on whether you’re a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
What the Exam Covers
The BOC exam tests five domains of athletic training practice:
- Risk Reduction, Wellness, and Health Literacy: preventing injuries and promoting overall health
- Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis: identifying injuries and conditions
- Critical Incident Management: responding to acute and emergency situations
- Therapeutic Intervention: designing and implementing rehabilitation and treatment plans
- Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility: documentation, referrals, legal considerations, and ethical practice
The most recent data from the BOC shows a first-time pass rate of 74.6%, with 1,683 of 2,256 first-time testers passing in the 2024-2025 cycle. That means roughly one in four candidates needs a second attempt. Strong preparation during your program matters. Most graduates who struggle on the exam report difficulty with the clinical decision-making scenarios rather than straightforward recall questions.
State Licensure After Certification
Passing the BOC exam earns you the credential “ATC” (Athletic Trainer, Certified), but you’ll also need to meet your state’s regulatory requirements before you can practice. The vast majority of states, plus Washington, D.C., require licensure for athletic trainers. This list includes nearly every state from Alabama to Wyoming. California uses a title protection model instead of licensure, and Hawaii requires registration. In most states, holding current BOC certification is the primary requirement for obtaining your state license, so the national exam effectively serves double duty.
Each state has its own application process and fees, so check with your state’s licensing board once you’ve passed the BOC exam. Some states also require background checks or additional documentation beyond your certification.
Keeping Your Certification Active
BOC certification isn’t a one-time achievement. You’re required to complete a set number of continuing education units (CEUs) during each reporting cycle to maintain your credential. These CEUs fall into four categories (A through D), covering different types of professional development activities. Falling behind on continuing education can put your certification and, by extension, your state license at risk. The BOC website outlines the specific number of units required per cycle and what documentation you’ll need in case of an audit.
Career Outlook and Salary
Athletic trainers earned a median salary of $60,250 per year as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in the field is projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increasing awareness of sports-related injuries, expanded roles for athletic trainers in non-sport clinical settings like hospitals and occupational health, and a broader push toward preventive care.
Work settings vary widely. You might find yourself on a college sideline, in a high school training room, at a physical therapy clinic, with a professional sports team, or in a corporate wellness program. The setting you choose will influence your schedule, salary range, and day-to-day responsibilities significantly.
Timeline From Start to Finish
If you’re starting from scratch with a bachelor’s degree that didn’t include the required prerequisites, expect to spend a semester or two completing those courses before applying to a CAATE program. The master’s program itself typically takes two years. Add a few months for exam preparation and scheduling, state licensure paperwork, and job searching, and the full path from decision to working as a certified athletic trainer runs roughly three years for most people. If your undergraduate degree already covered the prerequisite sciences, you can apply to programs immediately and potentially be certified within about two and a half years.