How to Become a Certified Athletic Trainer
| 6 Min Read
Athletic trainers are no longer confined to the sidelines of high school football games. Today, certified athletic trainers work in hospital systems, corporate wellness programs, performing arts organizations and military facilities, a professional expansion that reflects growing recognition of their clinical value. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by rising demand for sports medicine and injury-prevention services across a wide range of settings.
For those drawn to this career, the path requires deliberate preparation starting at the undergraduate level. The online Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science program at Concordia University, St. Paul, is designed to build that foundation, covering the scientific coursework prospective athletic trainers need before pursuing graduate-level credentials. This article walks through the full process, from education and clinical training to athletic trainer certification and licensure.
What Does a Certified Athletic Trainer Do?
Athletic trainers are credentialed healthcare professionals, distinct from personal trainers, fitness coaches and physical therapy assistants, though their work often intersects with all of these fields. Certified athletic trainers are trained in injury prevention, clinical assessment, emergency care and rehabilitation, and their scope of practice is governed by state licensure laws and national standards established by the Board of Certification (BOC).
Their day-to-day responsibilities vary by setting but consistently center on the wellness of athletes and patients. An athletic trainer working in a collegiate environment might evaluate an acute ankle sprain on the field, develop a rehabilitation protocol and coordinate care with team physicians. In a clinical or occupational health setting, they might work with industrial workers on injury-prevention programs designed to reduce musculoskeletal risk. The athletic training career has expanded meaningfully into performing arts medicine, military rehabilitation and corporate health, a breadth that makes the credential increasingly versatile.
Athletic Trainer Education Requirements
The educational pathway to becoming an athletic trainer has evolved. As of 2022, entry into the profession requires a master’s degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)-accredited program. This shift elevated athletic training to a graduate-level profession, making strong undergraduate preparation more important than ever.
A bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a closely related field provides the scientific core that graduate programs expect applicants to have. At the undergraduate level, students build knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics and sports nutrition. This coursework develops the conceptual framework that supports clinical reasoning in graduate training and beyond. Students who enter CAATE-accredited master’s programs without this foundation often struggle to keep pace with the curriculum’s demands.
Athletic Trainer Requirements: Certification and Licensure
Once a student completes a CAATE-accredited graduate program, the next step is passing the BOC exam. This is the national assessment that grants the “ATC” credential and serves as the gateway to professional practice. Eligibility for the BOC exam is tied to graduation from an accredited program, and the exam itself covers domains including injury and illness prevention, clinical evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation and health promotion.
BOC certification is the national standard, and most states require it as a condition of licensure. That said, state licensure is a separate process with its own requirements and regulations, which vary by state. Athletic trainers must obtain licensure in the state where they intend to practice, and many states also require continuing education to maintain both the BOC credential and state licensure. Together, certification and licensure form the professional credentialing pathway that makes an athletic training career legally and practically possible. Protecting that credential over time requires ongoing professional development.
How to Become an Athletic Trainer
The journey from interested student to a credentialed athletic training career follows a defined sequence. While timelines vary based on individual pace and program selection, the core steps remain consistent for anyone serious about becoming an athletic trainer:
- Earn an accredited undergraduate degree: A bachelor’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology or a related field provides the prerequisite coursework that CAATE-accredited graduate programs require for admission. The curriculum should cover anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and more.
- Complete a CAATE-accredited master’s program: Graduate programs vary in focus, clinical experience and length. Applicants should review accreditation status, faculty expertise and clinical placement opportunities before applying. Online programs can help balance academic and clinical components with flexible schedules.
- Complete required clinical hours: Master’s programs include supervised clinical rotations across diverse settings, giving students hands-on experience under the guidance of credentialed athletic trainers and physicians.
- Pass the BOC exam: After graduating with a master’s degree, candidates sit for the national certification exam, which assesses competency across all domains of athletic training practice.
- Obtain state licensure: Athletic trainer requirements vary by state and follow BOC certification, making them a legal prerequisite for professional practice in most states.
Undergraduate students can strengthen their graduate school applications by selecting programs with rigorous science coursework, opportunities for related internships and faculty connected to the healthcare field. Those exploring their admissions options should pay close attention to how well a bachelor’s program aligns with the prerequisites for graduate school.
Athletic Training Career Outlook and Opportunities
The job market for certified athletic trainers reflects a profession in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 11% employment growth for athletic trainers through 2034, well above the average for all occupations. BLS also reports a 2024 median annual pay of $60,250 for athletic trainers. Those figures reflect increasing sports participation, greater awareness of injury prevention and a healthcare landscape that increasingly values allied health professionals.
Job settings span a wide range. Secondary and collegiate athletics programs remain primary employers, but sports medicine clinics, professional sports leagues, military branches and occupational health programs are all active hiring environments. Specialization can further expand career potential. Some athletic trainers pursue additional credentials in areas such as strength and conditioning, orthopedics or pediatric care, while others advance into administrative, research or educational roles.
Those interested in long-term growth within athletic training careers benefit from understanding early on how graduate training, clinical experience and specialization work together to build a sustainable, advancing professional trajectory. Financial planning is also part of that equation, and financial aid options are available to help students evaluate funding throughout their education.
Start Building the Foundation for Your Athletic Trainer Education
CSP Global is regionally accredited and has more than 25 years of experience delivering online higher education. The online B.A. in Exercise Science is specifically designed to prepare graduates to sit for industry certifications, including the ACSM-CPT and exams administered by NETA, NSCA, ACE and AFFA. Core courses in anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology and applied nutrition align directly with the competencies graduate admissions committees look for.
The flexible online format makes that preparation accessible for working adults managing careers, family obligations and other responsibilities. CSP Global’s online B.A. in Exercise Science program offers a curriculum built around the exact subject areas that inform athletic training education requirements, providing students with a structured, supportive path toward graduate study and credential-ready athletic training careers.
Learn more about CSP Global’s online B.A. in Exercise Science program.