AT Tools and Resources
Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Renewal
The BOC is excited to announce an expansion of options available to Athletic Trainers (ATs) to complete their renewal requirements. Starting in 2026, the BOC will offer two renewal path options: CPC Renewal (new) and Legacy Renewal (based on current requirements).
Make CEUs Count, Instead of Counting CEUs
While both the new CPC Renewal path and the Legacy Renewal path contain requirements that ATs are used to, the CPC Renewal is more flexible, individualized and relevant to your daily practice. This model was built by ATs for ATs. It’s grounded in honest feedback, tested through the 2024 CPC Pathfinder pilot, and designed to reflect the diverse ways you grow professionally. CPC Renewal guides ATs using the Pathfinder technology tool to help you align certification with your real-world goals while requiring a reduced number of total CEUs.
Learn More About Pathfinder Pathfinder Pilot Results
Pathfinder is a personalized renewal tool integrating reflective and outcomes-oriented learning with targeted CE recommendations. It is designed to be engaging, clinically relevant and adaptable to the realities of modern athletic training.
All ATs will be automatically enrolled in the CPC Renewal option early in 2026 with full access to explore and use the Pathfinder platform. While ATs certified before 2026 are encouraged to remain in CPC Renewal, they will be able to opt out of CPC Renewal and into Legacy Renewal at a later date. ATs certified in 2026 and beyond must complete CPC Renewal and will not be able to opt out.
Find Out More
The resources below will help walk you through what to expect and how CPC Renewal and Legacy Renewal work.
Read CPC/Pathfinder FAQ
Webinar
Watch the recording of the CPC Renewal webinar from Sept. 10, 2025 to get:
- A full comparison of CPC Renewal to Legacy Renewal
- A view of Pathfinder, its benefits and how it works for ATs
- A breakdown of requirements beginning in 2026
Promoting AT Awareness
As health care professionals, Athletic Trainers (ATs) are seldom in the limelight. Being noticed generally means a patient has been injured – something no one wants to happen. However, that can make it difficult for everyone to understand the important work ATs do.
To assist in promoting AT awareness, the BOC is offering free toolkits full of resources to assist ATs in educating employers, patients, parents and students interested in athletic training.
Promoting AT Awareness Images
Promoting AT Awareness ads are now available to you to use in your publications and online.
Click the link below to view all 40 of the options available to order.
Order Promoting AT Awareness Advertisements
Employment Toolkit
The employment toolkit features resources to help ATs announce new positions and transitions in employment. The templates include a press release and social media announcements and images.
Press Release Template
Download Press Release
Social Media Posts Template
Download Press Release
Social Media Images
Download New Position Image
Download Promotion Image
Download Changed Positions Image
Athletic Training Available Onsite Toolkit
The athletic training available onsite toolkit features resources to help ATs promote their presence at tournaments, championships, special activities and other events. The templates include a press release, flyer and social media announcements and image.
Press Release Template
Download Press Release
Flyer
Download Flyer
Social Media Posts Template
Download Social Media Posts Template
Social Media Images
Download Image
Career Fair Toolkit
The career fair toolkit features resources to help ATs promote the athletic training profession at career fairs and other events. The templates include a press release, flyer and social media announcements and images.
Press Release Template
Download Press Release
Flyer
Download Flyer
Social Media Posts Template
Download Social Media Posts Template
Social Media Images
Download Image
Professional Certificates & Plaques
The BOC offers a beautifully designed certificate with gold embossed BOC logo and seal of certification. Each certificate is personalized with the BOC Certified Athletic Trainer’s name, ATC® credential, certification number and date of certification. Athletic Trainer must currently hold the ATC® credential in order for a certificate/plaque order to be processed.
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CertificateThe certificate may be purchased alone, printed on fine paper. Order Certificate |
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PlaqueThe certificate can be mounted on a 12 x 16 inch hardwood plaque protected by Plexiglass. Order Plaque |
| *Includes shipping and handling within the continental US (Alaska, Hawaii and international customers must call for a shipping quote). Nebraska residents add 7% sales tax. Allow 10 to 12 weeks for delivery once order is submitted. | |
Listing My Credentials
Consistency in how Athletic Trainers identify themselves alleviates confusion and lends credibility to the profession. List academic degrees first, licenses second and credentials last. Here, credentials include BOC certification. For instance, a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer holding a master’s degree and working in a state where licensure is not required should write, “Sally Snow, MS, ATC” – not “ATC, MS.” The same BOC Certified Athletic Trainer working in a state with licensure would correctly write, “Sally Snow, MS, LAT, ATC.” See the illustration for an example.
Sally Snow, |
MS,Degree |
ATC,Credential |
BCS-OSpecialty |
|
Sally Snow, |
MS,Degree |
LAT,License |
ATC,Credential |
BCS-OSpecialty |
What do these qualifications mean? Licensure provides a legal right to practice, while certification, which is voluntary, states that a professional body – in this case, the BOC – has determined that your knowledge and skills have met a pre-determined standard. If you use more than one credential, list them in order of difficulty of obtaining them. With credentials of similar difficulty, such as ATC® and PT, list them in chronological order.
Download NATA News: Proper Treatment of Degrees, Licenses and Credentials
Terminology
A large part of promoting the athletic training profession is using the proper terminology when talking to patients, co-workers, and the public. Start by getting to know the basics when it comes to athletic training terminology.
Displaying abbreviations after your name
Correct order:
degree, license and credential
Jane Doe, PhD, LAT, ATC
AT
AT is a noun and refers to the person
Example: Jane Doe is an AT
ATC
ATC is a credential and appears only after a Certified Athletic Trainer’s name
Example: Jane Doe, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Always write Athletic Trainer or BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
Do not use “trainer”
By itself, “trainer” does not distinguish between Athletic Trainers and other professionals
Athletic Training Facility
Use athletic training facility, NOT athletic training room
Board of Certification (BOC)
The BOC (that’s us!) is the credentialing agency that certifies ATs and approves organizations to offer continuing education
National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA)
The NATA is the professional membership association for Certified Athletic Trainers and others who support the athletic training profession
Download Inter-agency Terminology Glossary
AT Policy & Procedure Development
BOC Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development Document
The BOC Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development document provides a template to guide the development of policies and procedures. In addition, the template provides a recordkeeping function to demonstrate that training and retraining are a part of policy implementation. This document was created by the Facility Standards Work Group in 2016. Their goal was to develop educational materials to assist ATs and other appropriate individuals in the development of policies and procedures for the delivery of healthcare in their organization. Click below to download the PDF version of the Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development document.
Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development Online Resource
The Guiding Principles for AT Policy and Procedure Development online resource helps in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. This online tool includes interactive checklists on employee safety, facility management, patient safety, privacy/confidentiality, risk management and more. It also allows you to generate reports. Click below to begin and generate a report for your own use.
Launch Online Resource
Download Document
Facility Safety
BOC Facility Principles Document
The BOC Facility Principles document was created to ensure safe, effective operation and compliance of athletic training facilities. The document was created by the Facility Standards Work Group in 2012. Its members developed the comprehensive document detailing what is essential to ensure a safe, properly equipped athletic training facility. The work group consisted of experts from BOC, NCAA, NATA, NIAAA, NFHS, CUATC and SSATC committees. Click below to download the PDF version of the “BOC Facility Principles” document.
BOC Facility Principles Online Resource
The “BOC Facility Principles” online resource helps you gauge your athletic training facility’s compliance with applicable regulations and best practices. This online tool includes interactive checklists on accessibility, privacy and confidentiality, employee safety, safe handling of hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and more. It also allows you to generate reports for each facility you assess. Click below to begin an assessment of your athletic training facility and generate a report for your own use.
Launch Online Resource
Download Document
Individual Activity Review
Do you need help determining if a particular activity is eligible for CEUs?
The free Individual Activity Review tool is a resource to determine if CE activities fall within the domains of athletic training as defined in the BOC Practice Analysis, 8th Edition (PA8). The BOC ultimately determines if an activity is eligible for CEUs regardless of the outcome of this tool. Common topics that fall within the domains of athletic training:
Basic and Applied Sciences
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Statistics and Research Design
- Rehabilitation
- Exercise Physiology
- Kinesiology/Biomechanics
- Health Care Administration
Professional Content
- Risk Management and Injury Prevention
- Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses
- Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis
- Medical Conditions and Disabilities
- Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses
- Therapeutic Modalities
- Conditioning, Rehabilitative Exercise and Pharmacology
- Psychosocial Intervention and Referral
- Nutritional Aspects of Injuries and Illnesses
Launch Individual Activity Review
Professional Development Needs Assessment
Professional Development Needs Assessment (PDNA) is a tool intended to empower Athletic Trainers (ATs) of all experience levels to engage in self-reflection with the goal of assessing professional development needs across the domains of athletic training as defined in the “BOC Practice Analysis, 8th Edition.”
ATs can use the results of a PDNA to:
- Form the framework for a professional development plan
- Identify professional growth opportunities
- Link current skills and abilities to critical job skills and performance plans
- Assess learning needs prior to transitioning from one area of practice to another
- Assess learning needs prior to re-entering the workforce after a prolonged absence from practice
PDNA results are for personal use only and in no way impact current certification status.
The BOC has provided you with seven PDNA options to accommodate your needs. Each PDNA version is designed to provide a snapshot of your professional development needs.
Launch PDNA
Pathfinder Pilot Results Demonstrate Positive Impact
The 2024 Pathfinder Pilot research project was a groundbreaking initiative designed to test a platform that guides professional development and promotes flexible, individualized and ongoing learning. Pathfinder is a technology platform with a personalized dashboard through which Athletic Trainers (ATs) share their professional goals and interests, quiz themselves with evidence-based challenge questions and customize a professional development learning path. Pathfinder is slated to be part of the Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) program currently in development, and it promotes all components of CPC: Professionalism, Continuing Professional Development and Practice Performance.
More than 3,000 ATs participated in the year-long pilot, representing diverse practice settings and experience levels. The results of the Pathfinder Pilot indicate strong support for this innovative approach, with ATs from different perspectives finding value in its structure and reflective learning methodology. In addition, constructive feedback from respondents is being used to enhance and optimize the Pathfinder tool.
Development and Timeline Key Findings and Participant Feedback
Initial findings from the Pathfinder Pilot highlight strong engagement and positive and constructive feedback from participants. The study captured diverse perspectives and experiences, revealing several key insights into the Pathfinder educational components:
| Challenge Questions – Valuable and Eye-Opening
Many participants appreciated the challenge questions, which pushed them to reflect on their knowledge and identify areas for growth. As one AT noted, “The refreshers helped me focus on certain aspects of practice and reinforce that I don’t know as much as I think I do. I can always improve.” |
| Learning Path Navigation – A Promising Concept with Room for Growth
Participants found the Pathfinder tool useful in guiding them toward relevant CEUs. One AT shared, “Pathfinder was a good tool to help navigate which CEUs were needed to enhance my knowledge in the field of athletic training.” |
| Goal Setting and Reflection – A Defined Path
The structured reflection process was widely appreciated, with many ATs recognizing its benefits in shaping their professional development. One AT remarked, “This helped shape my future learning by highlighting my deficiencies and guiding me to create SMART goals.” |
Future Impact on the Athletic Training Profession
CPC Renewal, informed by Pathfinder Pilot results, represents a significant step forward in credentialing and professional development. The Pathfinder Pilot demonstrated that a structured, outcomes-based approach can enhance learning outcomes while offering ATs more control over their professional development.
The Pathfinder Pilot has laid a strong foundation for the future of athletic training and professional development. With continued refinement and engagement, CPC will reshape the way ATs approach lifelong learning, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their field.
Pathfinder Pilot Participant Feedback
“I enjoyed completing the Pathfinder Pilot. It made approaching my continuing education goals more enjoyable and interactive.”
“I like the fact that this is new and something different that is being tried and tested. Overall, I had a good experience with it and would participate again.”
“Great experience using Pathfinder. It makes learning fun and enjoyable.”
“Although I missed several questions, I enjoyed the challenge questions! They were a great learning tool for me and a nice refresher on principles I should know. I work in a health/fitness setting, so my AT skills are rusty. I would love a refresher course designed for ATs in my situation!”
“I liked breaking it into different segments throughout the year. I liked being able to do the challenge questions at my own pace.”
“I appreciated the whole pilot program. It brought to the forefront where I am lacking in knowledge and gave me resources to use to help me gain more knowledge in those areas.”
“Overall, the program was helpful and fairly easy to navigate. The amount of work and time to complete the work was what I expected. I would participate again if given the opportunity.”
“I really enjoyed Pathfinder and the idea behind it. I think it could continue to develop and be very useful in guiding Athletic Trainers in where their gaps in learning are.”
Overview
Staying at the top of our game as a profession is critical. For more than a decade, the BOC has been working to develop a more impactful approach to continuing education for Athletic Trainers (ATs) known as Continuing Professional Certification (CPC). While the existing continuing education unit (CEU) – based system is beneficial, it has room for improvement in meeting the evolving needs of health care professionals. Research across health care disciplines including nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistants and dietetics, supports the notion that longitudinal learning and self-reflection contribute to better lifelong learning outcomes. The BOC collaborated with ATs from all practice settings, AT volunteers and subject matter experts, including the CPC Advisory Panel, Standards Committee and the BOC Board of Directors, to design a continuing education program that enhances knowledge retention and professional growth.
The ongoing project sought to address three primary goals:
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Beginning in 2026, the BOC is launching new AT certification renewal requirements designed to offer a more customized and efficient professional development program. CPC was developed by ATs, for ATs and is meant to provide ATs the flexibility to map out an individualized professional development plan based on their preferred learning style, professional goals and practice setting. The ultimate goal is to provide patients and the public with the comfort of knowing all ATs are staying current with cutting-edge knowledge and skills in the field of athletic training.
Development and Timeline
CPC is the ongoing process that ensures ATs remain competent, up-to-date, and accountable for their professional growth. It all began in 2016, when a task force was formed to explore what would eventually become the Continuing Professional Certification, or CPC. A portfolio pilot helped inform the development of what we now know as Pathfinder. By 2020, we launched a pilot of the Competence Assessment Modules (CAMs) and the Quality Improvement (QI) Pilot took shape. We also hosted a series of webinars and a panel Q&A to gather feedback. In 2021, we opened a public comment period to invite broader input.
By January 2022, the CPC Task Force reconvened, and from April to June 2023, they finalized and submitted their recommendations. During June to March 2023, working groups were formed to explore next steps and implementation strategies. In 2023, the Board of Directors reviewed and accepted those recommendations. Then in 2024, we launched a pilot of Pathfinder, putting these concepts into practice. And finally, looking to 2025 and beyond, we’ll continue to evolve this process—expanding development and making sure it reflects the needs of our profession
The timeline shows just how much thoughtful planning went into its development.
Download CPC Timeline
CPC Project Information Updates and Resources
The resources and articles listed below further detail the CPC project and information available to ATs throughout the CPC development process.
“AT Driven Research and Development Initial Work” BOC website published Oct. 2021
“Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Concept Q&A” webinar held Oct. 20, 2021
“Continuing Professional Certification Concept Update” Cert Update published Nov. 18, 2021
“Continuing Professional Certification Project Updates” BOC website published Jun. 2022
“Power Panel Continuing Education Feedback” report published Jul. 2022
“CPC Concept Further Defined by AT Efforts” Cert Update published Nov. 16, 2023
“Join the BOC Pathfinder Pilot” Cert Update published Nov. 16, 2023
“Pathfinder Pilot Nears Half Year Mark” Cert Update published Jun. 20, 2024
“Pathfinder Pilot Project Updates” BOC website published Dec. 2024
“CPC Concept Update: New Professional Development Approach” Cert Update published Jun. 12, 2025
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