Transition to Practice: Newly Certified Athletic Trainers Certification Maintenance
As a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (AT), you must fulfill the following to maintain your certification:
- Continuing Education (CE)
- Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC)
- Certification Maintenance Fee
- Adhere to the “BOC Standards of Professional Practice”
Newly certified ATs can begin accumulating continuing education units (CEUs) the day they are certified. Continuing education (CE) requirements promote continued competence by enhancing professional skills and judgment. CE programs must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to athletic training and be intended for credentialed health care providers and wellness professionals. Let’s review the important FAQs below.
How Many CEUs do Newly Certified ATs have to Report?
ATs certified in 2024 have 25 CEUs due by the end of the reporting period. The certification maintenance period for ATs is two years.
Where Can I Find CE Programs?
The BOC Program Directory features live events and home studies from BOC Approved Providers. E-blasts from our partners are another excellent resource for finding events near you. They often include special offers on CE programs and other great deals from BOC-approved providers. Make sure you receive these emails by opting in via your BOC profile.
How Do I Know if a CE Program Counts for CEUs?
The “Certification Maintenance Requirements” document explains everything you need to know about the various categories of CE, the requirements and restrictions in each category, CE documentation requirements and more.
The free Individual Activity Review tool can also help determine if an activity is eligible for CEUs. It will show whether CE activities fall within the domains of athletic training as defined in the “Practice Analysis, 8th Edition.”
How Do I Report My CE?
To report CE, log into your BOC profile dashboard and review the instructions under “My To-Do List.”
What Is ECC?
ATs must demonstrate ongoing ECC certification throughout the reporting period. Enter your ECC expiration date in your BOC profile to get reminders when your card is about to expire, helping you avoid any lapses. CEUs are not awarded for maintaining ECC. The “Certification Maintenance Requirements” document and the BOC website are good resources for learning about ECC requirements.
What Is the Annual Certification Maintenance Fee?
Every AT is required to pay an annual BOC certification maintenance fee. This fee supports the administrative, disciplinary, regulatory and professional development activities required of the BOC to retain the National Commission for Certifying Agencies accreditation and assure public protection. New ATs will have the certification maintenance fee waived for the year they are certified (i.e., the 2024 certification maintenance fee will be waived for ATs certified in 2024). To pay the certification maintenance fee, log into your BOC profile dashboard and review the instructions under “My To-Do List.”
