Academic Options Can Help AT Educators Meet CE Requirements
Several opportunities are available for Athletic Trainer educators to meet their continuing education requirements through academic pursuits. Let’s review the continuing education (CE) opportunities available.
Recent changes to the “2024-2025 Certification Maintenance Requirements” include an expanded definition of CE and increased opportunities and options for educators. CE programs can now incorporate content that enhances knowledge and skills needed to be an effective educator. Refer to the “Continuing Education Options Expanded for AT Educators” article to learn more.
Categories B and C are great options for educators/preceptors to maintain their certification. Let’s look at CE options available in Category B and Category C.
Category B: Professional and Scholarly Activities
Category B provides educators, preceptors, researchers and speakers with a variety of approved CE activities, such as:
- Authoring an article for a refereed journal or home-study program
- Serving as a contributing author of a published textbook
- Serving as a speaker or panelist at a conference or seminar
- Becoming a preceptor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)-accredited athletic training program
Activities sometimes reported in Category B that DO NOT qualify for continuing education units (CEUs) are:
- Teaching a college or university course
- Speaking to administrators, booster clubs, coaches, parents or students*
*ATs can earn CEUs for speaking if the audience comprises credentialed health care and/or wellness professionals (e.g. MD, PA, RN, PT, AT)
Watch now to learn more about Category B.
Category C: Post-Certification College/University Coursework
It’s important to remember that ATs who are continuing their health care education may be able to utilize higher education coursework for CEUs.
Category C CEUs can be reported if the college/university coursework and practicum courses (including clinical and internship experiences) are:
- Listed with credit hours on an official transcript
- Within the domains of athletic training as defined in “Practice Analysis, 8th Edition”
- Completed after the AT’s certification date and within the current reporting period
- Completed at a college/university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or the coursework has been deemed equivalent to U.S. coursework by a third party (e.g. World Education Services)
ATs receive 10 CEUs per credit hour of college/university coursework. Official transcripts are only required if the AT is audited. Teaching a college course is not acceptable for Category C credit.
Watch now to learn more about Category C.
To better assist ATs in understanding Category A, B, C and D, the BOC developed BOC CE Categories Tutorial videos focusing on category definitions and providing an overview of activities qualifying for CEUs. Watch the full video to learn about CE categories.
