How to Verify an Athletic Trainer Certification

Quick answer

Verify BOC certification (the ATC credential) at bocatc.org using the public credential verification tool — search by name or certification number. For state licensure (required in most states), verify separately with the state athletic training licensing board.

Athletic trainer vs. personal trainer

Athletic trainers and personal trainers are entirely different professions. Athletic trainers (ATC) are allied health professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal injuries. They require a bachelor's or master's degree from a CAATE-accredited program, national BOC certification, and state licensure in most states.

Personal trainers (covered separately) have voluntary certifications with no required academic degree. Do not confuse the two when verifying credentials for healthcare or school/team settings.

BOC certification (ATC)

The Board of Certification (BOC) is the sole credentialing body for athletic trainers in the United States. The ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified) credential is the baseline national certification required for practice. To earn and maintain the ATC credential, athletic trainers must:

Hold a degree from a CAATE-accredited athletic training program
Pass the BOC examination
Complete 50 hours of continuing education every 2 years for recertification
Adhere to the BOC Standards of Professional Practice

To verify BOC certification:

Go to bocatc.org
Navigate to “Verify a Credential” or the credential verification tool
Search by athletic trainer name or BOC certification number
Confirm: Active status, certification number, and expiration date

BOC certifications expire and require renewal. An expired ATC credential means the athletic trainer is not currently certified and cannot legally practice as an ATC in most states.

State licensure for athletic trainers

In addition to BOC certification, most U.S. states require athletic trainers to hold a state license or registration. State licenses are issued by varying agencies (state medical boards, department of health, or dedicated athletic training boards). Most states accept BOC certification as the basis for licensure, so the two credentials are linked.

States without specific AT licensing

A small number of states do not have athletic trainer practice acts or specific licensing requirements. In those states, BOC certification is the primary credential to verify. California, for example, does not have an athletic trainer license — BOC certification is the primary credential.

To find your state's athletic training licensing board, search “[state] athletic trainer license board”. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) maintains a state regulation resource page at nata.org.

Red flags

BOC certification cannot be found at bocatc.org
Expired BOC credential — 2-year renewal cycle is strictly enforced
Person using the title “Athletic Trainer” or “ATC” without BOC certification
No state license in a state that requires licensure
Disciplinary action listed in BOC records — BOC publishes sanctions against certified athletic trainers

Verification checklist

1. Verify BOC certification at bocatc.org — confirm Active status and expiration
2. Check BOC records for any disciplinary sanctions
3. Identify whether the state of practice has an athletic trainer licensure requirement
4. If state licensure is required, verify with the state licensing board
5. For school or team settings, confirm the program type (sports medicine, clinical, industrial) matches the role

Verify athletic training program accreditation

Athletic trainers must graduate from a CAATE-accredited program. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a school's athletic training program is accredited and legitimate.

Search Schools and Accreditation →