If you want to become a certified athletic trainer, use this guide. It leads you through which steps and training to take. If you work hard, you can be certified in two years.
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Want to become a certified athletic trainer? It’s not easy, but it’s possible.
Athletic training is a rewarding career, but it’s also one that requires years of schooling and training. But if you’re committed to helping people recover from injuries so they can get back up and play, here’s how to become a certified athletic trainer:
Step 1: Earn an associate degree in athletic training. This will give you an introduction to the field and help you decide whether or not it’s right for you.
Step 2: Complete a bachelor’s degree program in athletic training. These programs are available at colleges and universities across the country, and they typically take four years to complete.
Step 3: Complete the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Board of Certification exam. The NATA certifies athletic trainers through this exam, which must be taken following completion of your bachelor’s degree program. The exam covers anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pharmacology and more!
Step 4: Get experience working as an athletic trainer intern or assistant at a professional sports team or health club before seeking employment as an independent contractor
How to become a certified athletic trainer
Earn a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program
Earning a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program is necessary to become certified as an [athletic trainer](/courses/athletic-training/overview) (ATC). An ATC is a health care professional who diagnoses, treats and prevents injuries to athletes.
A bachelor’s degree in athletic training typically takes four years to complete. During the course of your education, you will learn anatomy and physiology, injury prevention, emergency treatment procedures and more. In addition to classroom learning, you will gain hands-on experience by working with professional athletic trainers at local facilities such as hospitals or sports teams.
Take the certification exams
Once you’ve satisfied all of the requirements and are ready to take your certification exams, it’s time to get serious. The BOC exam has a few important things to keep in mind:
- Develop a study plan. You’ll need to develop an effective study plan if you’re going to be successful on this test. This means taking practice exams and focusing on the areas that are most challenging for you. It’s okay if some areas come more easily than others—just make sure that they are at least presentable before focusing on other subjects!
- Ask for help when needed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Chances are there is someone else taking these exams who can give good advice about how best prepare yourself for what lies ahead—and chances are they too were clueless about where or how exactly one goes about performing athletic training prior taking these tests themselves!
Find a position
Once you have a degree and are ready to seek employment as an athletic trainer, it’s time to look for positions. Since there aren’t many occupational positions available, it’s important to make sure your resume is up-to-date and includes all relevant information. You should also prepare cover letters that clearly explain why you are interested in the position, how your qualifications match those required by the employer, and any other relevant details—such as prior experiences or volunteer work with athletes.
If possible, attend job fairs where employers may be recruiting new staff members. The best way to get noticed at these events is through networking: meeting people who already work at companies where you’re interested in working can help increase your chances of being hired!
Finally, don’t forget about professors! Many teaching faculty members know other faculty members who are looking for interns or assistants during their free time; connecting with them can help expand your network even further!
Get licensed
Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree and passed the certification exam, you can apply for licensure. The requirements vary by state, but most states require that athletic trainers be licensed in order to practice. If a state doesn’t require athletic trainers to be licensed, they may still have restrictions on who can perform certain procedures or provide certain services.
Licensure shows that an individual has met specific educational requirements and has passed an exam of some sort—in this case, the BOC certification exam. It also shows that the candidate has completed an internship or residency program as well as met any other requirements set forth by their state’s Board of Certification (or similar entity). The BOC website provides links to each individual state’s licensing page where you can find out exactly what those requirements are for your area.
Understanding how to become an athletic trainer can help you start your career.
As an athletic trainer, you’ll be responsible for preventing and diagnosing injuries. In addition to working with athletes, you may also work in schools or other settings where people engage in physical activity. Athletic trainers must be certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (NATA-BOC). You can earn this certification online through the Online Education Accreditation Commission (OEAC) or at a college or university that is accredited by OEAC.
You will also need to be licensed by your state’s licensing board if you want to practice in that state.
