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Public Protection

Certification Verification

Official Verification

Official verification of current athletic training certification status can be ordered for state licensure or employment purposes. Requests are processed within two business days of receipt.

There is a $30 processing fee.

Please note that verification is sent directly to the state regulatory agency or the employer.

Order Certification Verification

Basic Online Verification

Anyone may request verification of an AT’s certification. If official verification is not needed, search the online registry.

Search Online Registry

Status Definitions

The following status definitions are effective as of January 1, 2012 per the BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures.

Certified

Certification is in good standing. Individuals may practice as authorized by the BOC.

Expired

Certification is voluntarily resigned for reasons unrelated to disciplinary proceedings. ATs with an Expired status may not represent themselves as Certified Athletic Trainers or Board-Certified Specialists or use the ATC® or BCS-O certification marks 

Certification is forfeited due to non-compliance with BOC certification fee and/or continuing education requirements. Respondents with an Expired status may not represent themselves as Certified Athletic Trainers, Board-Certified Specialists or use the ATC® or BCS-O certification marks 

Suspended

Certification is not in good standing as a result of the imposition of a disciplinary action or the BOC chief executive officer’s decision that there is cause to believe that a threat of immediate and irreparable injury to the health of the public exists. Respondents with a Suspended status may not represent themselves as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Board-Certified Specialist or use the ATC® or BCS-O certification marks. 

The Disciplinary Action Exchange (DAE) was developed to help the BOC, states and consumers locate disciplinary actions in an efficient manner.

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Standards

Overview

Standards of Professional Practice

Athletic Trainers are required to comply with the “BOC Standards of Professional Practice,” which consists of Practice Standards and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Download BOC Standards of Professional Practice – Effective January 2024
Download BOC Standards of Professional Practice – Effective January 2022

Discipline

Disciplinary Guidelines

The “BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures” are intended to inform Athletic Trainers, athletic training students, customers of athletic training services and members of the public of the disciplinary guidelines and procedures.

Download Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures – Effective January 1, 2020
Download Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures – Effective January 1, 2025
Download Discipline Process Handout

File a Complaint

Please fill out our form to file a complaint.

File a Complaint

NCCA Accreditation

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accreditation body of Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). The NCCA’s mission is to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of individual certification programs that assess professional competency. The NCCA sets standards that include “Essential Elements” that must be met by organizations offering certification programs.

The NCCA “Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs” categories:

1. Purpose, Governance and Resources
2. Responsibilities to Stakeholders
3. Assessment Instruments
4. Recertification
5. Maintaining Accreditation

BOC requirements are often originated from NCCA standards. These standards answer questions as to why ATs must complete continuing education units (CEUs) and why the BOC and NATA are two separate organizations. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • BOC recertification must demonstrate that continued competence is in the best interest of the public and athletic training profession.
  • BOC recertification requirements must measure or enhance continued competence of ATs.
  • The BOC must be structured and governed in a way that is appropriate for the profession, occupation, role or skill and that ensures autonomy in decision making over essential certification activities.The BOC has the only accredited certification program for Athletic Trainers in the US. Since 1982, the BOC has been continuously accredited by the NCCA and must undergo review and reaccreditation every five years.

CAATE Accredited Programs

The mission of the BOC is “to provide exceptional credentialing programs for healthcare professionals to assure protection of the public.” To attain certification, an individual must 1) graduate from an athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) or meet the ARTI or CATA eligibility requirements and 2) pass the BOC exam.

The CAATE is the agency responsible for the accreditation of more than 360 professional (entry-level) athletic training programs, 16 Post-Professional Degree Programs and two Residencies. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) cooperate to sponsor the CAATE and collaborate to develop the “Standards for Entry-Level Athletic Training Educational Programs.”

Disciplinary Action Exchange

The Disciplinary Action Exchange (DAE) was developed to help the BOC, states and consumers locate disciplinary actions in an efficient manner.

The BOC encourages all states to participate in the DAE. The DAE contains final BOC disciplinary actions that have been deemed public, as well as disciplinary actions taken by state regulatory agencies.

  • If you would like more information in regards to a disciplinary action taken by a state, please contact the State Regulatory Agency.
  • If you would like more information in regards to a disciplinary action taken by the BOC, please send an email to Professional Practice Manager.
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Q: How do I file a complaint?
A: The BOC requires potential violations of the BOC Standards of Practice to be reported via a written and signed statement. The BOC encourages complainants to use our online complaint form to provide us with the relevant details of the allegations. Complaints may also be submitted via email or mail.
Q: Whom may I file a complaint against?
A: The BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Committee has jurisdiction over all BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs) and prospective or current exam applicants. Individuals using the ATC® trademark without authorization are subject to action by the BOC.
Q: What details should I include in the complaint?
A: The complaint should contain a factual summary of events or allegations including the dates of occurrence, any relevant documentation or contact information for witnesses should be provided to the BOC to assist in conducting a proper and through investigation. The complaint should establish a fact-pattern of evidence of a potential violation of the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.
Q: What is the BOC’s disciplinary process?
A: Once a complaint has been received, the BOC will conduct a preliminary review to determine if a potential violation of the BOC Standards of Professional Practice may have occurred. If a potential violation is perceived, then the BOC will launch an investigation into the matter. As part of an investigation, the BOC will continue to collect any relevant evidence regarding the allegations and send the Respondent an Investigation Notice. Upon completing the investigation, the BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Committee will adjudicate the case and determine if any disciplinary actions should be imposed. Please reference the BOC Discipline Process handout to learn more. The BOC complies with the Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures in all disciplinary matters.
Q: How long does an investigation take?
A: The disciplinary process may vary in time depending on the nature and complexity of the complaint. Cases may be completed in as short as a few weeks or as long as a year or more.
Q: Will I be required to participate in the investigation after filing a complaint?
A: Once a complaint is received, the BOC will confirm with the complainant that it has been received. During the preliminary review or investigation, the BOC may request from the complainant further information, documentation, or statements from potential witnesses.
Q: How do I find out how the complaint is progressing?
A: The BOC does not share details of an investigation. The status (open or closed) of an investigation may be given to the complainant upon request.
Q: May I file a complaint anonymously?
A: BOC occasionally receives anonymous complaints. However, we strongly encourage you to provide your name and contact information in case further information is needed to facilitate an investigation into your complaint.  The identity of the complainant, witnesses or any victims will remain confidential to the extent consistent with a proper and thorough investigation.
Q: Will my complaint be kept confidential?
A: The BOC will not release the identity of a complainant, witness or victim. The identity of the complainant, witnesses or any victims will remain confidential to the extent consistent with a proper and thorough investigation
Q: Will the complainant receive a copy of the investigative findings?
A: Once a case has been adjudicated and closed, the BOC will notify the complaint. However, the BOC will not provide any further details of the investigation or of any final disciplinary action unless such disciplinary action was deemed public. Public disciplinary actions are posted on the BOC Disciplinary Action Exchange.
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