Q: What is the definition of certification?
A: Certification is a voluntary process by which a practitioner’s entry-level knowledge and skills are demonstrated and measured against a defined standard. Certification is a third-party independent judgment that competencies have been achieved through an assessment and based on a formal job analysis, or practice analysis, that serves as the blueprint for a national exam and is designed to be representative of the population for which the test blueprint is designed.
Q: What’s the difference between BOC certification and BOC specialty certification?
A: BOC certification is a process through which an individual may earn the ATC® credential. As of 2004, the process includes completing a professional accredited athletic training education program and achieving a passing score on the BOC Certification Exam. The BOC has the only accredited certification program for Athletic Trainers in the US. Since 1982, the BOC has been continuously accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and must undergo review and reaccreditation every five years. Successful BOC certification is recognized in 49 states and the District of Columbia to obtain licensure, certification or registration to practice athletic training and/or use the title “Athletic Trainer.”
BOC specialty certification is a voluntary process by which an Athletic Trainer earns formal recognition of their advanced education and experience within a specialized area of clinical practice. Specialty certification identifies Athletic Trainers who have clinical practice abilities beyond the ATC® credential, via demonstration of post-professional education and training (e.g., CAATE-accredited residency and/or employment experience), and passage of a specialty certification exam developed according to accepted national credentialing standards. The specialty certification demonstrates an ability to enhance quality of patient care, optimize clinical outcomes, increase cost-effectiveness, provide value-based care, and improve patients’ health-related quality of life within a specialized area of athletic training practice.
Q: Why is BOC specialty certification being established?
A: BOC specialty certification is being established to provide formal recognition for Athletic Trainers with advanced clinical knowledge, experience and skills in a specific area of practice and to assist consumers and the health care community in identifying these Athletic Trainers.
Q: What is the difference between the BOC specialty certification and other specialty certificates?
A: The orthopedic specialty is a board-certified certification by which an Athletic Trainer mastery of advanced knowledge, skills and experience in a specialized area of clinical practice is demonstrated and measured against defined predetermined standards earned through a post-professional education and training process. Specialty certification is time-limited and requires life-long learning through recertification.
An assessment-based certificate program is a non-degree granting program that provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes. These programs evaluate participants’ achievement of the intended learning outcomes and award a certificate to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency or passing standard for the assessment. Certificates have no continuing education or renewal requirements.
