What is Athletic Training? [Back to Top]

Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are recognized by the American Medical Association as healthcare providers with a primary practice area in physical medicine and rehabilitation.  They are health care professionals equivalent to physical, occupational, speech, language, and other similar therapists.  ATC's are specifically experts in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries and illnesses for both athletes and employees alike. The Certified Athletic Trainer is most recognized as a vital member of the sports medicine team, which includes various surgeons, general physicians, exercise physiologists and numerous other professionals. Each member of the team has defined duties and responsibilities in assisting with the patient's recovery. The Certified Athletic Trainer is usually the first healthcare provider to see the athlete with an injury and works closely with the team physician and the injured athlete from the time of the accident throughout the recovery and rehabilitation processes.

Career Opportunities For ATCs [Back to Top]

The Athletic Trainer functions as an integral member of the sports medicine team in providing and assisting in the development and coordination of efficient, comprehensive, and responsive athletic healthcare delivery systems. Athletic Trainers are traditionally hired by national or international sports teams who can be both professional or amateur in their competition status, colleges and universities, high schools and even some younger age groups are finding the benefits of an ATC. In most collegiate and high school settings, the Athletic Trainer may be a member of the teaching faculty. Athletic Trainers are also employed in a variety of other settings which allow them to offer their services to the general and aging populations that want to stay active like a sports medicine clinic, which are either housed in a hospital setting or they may be private clinics operated by physicians or other healthcare professionals. Regardless of the target population, the profession is always expanding into new and non-traditional settings to offer Athletic Training services such as the military, corporate business, industrial facilities, NASCAR, Professional Rodeo / Bull-Riding,  and many more.

How do I become an ATC? [Back to Top]

Athletic Training is governed by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and individual state healthcare provider laws. Students who want to become Certified Athletic Trainers must earn a bachelors degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum (ATEP). Formal instruction for the Athletic Training student includes risk management, prevention of injuries, assessment and evaluation of injuries, emergency care, general medical conditions, disabilities, exercise physiology, pathology of injury and illness, sports nutrition, kinesiology, biomechanics, pharmacology, therapeutic exercises and modalities, health care administration, psychosocial intervention/referral as well as professional development.

National Athletic Trainers Association [Back to Top]

Certified Athletic Trainers ensure a high standard of professional practice. Certification by the examination approved by the Board of Certification (BOC) is the credential required by all employers. To be eligible to sit for the certification exam, students must earn a bachelors degree from an accredited Athletic Training Education curriculum. The exam has recently being remodeled in order to remain up-to-date in accordance with professional testing and evaluation protocols.  Currently the professional certification exam includes two sections: a written section and a section with simulation and hybrid formatted questions. Only after passing both parts will an individual be awarded the credentials of ATC.

The NATA is an organization dedicated to advancing, encouraging and improving the Athletic Training profession. Through its commitment to improving athletes' health and well being, NATA promotes excellence in athletic health care through public awareness and education.

Click on the logo below to find out more about the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

National Strength and Condition Association

American College of Sports Medicine

Gatorade Sports Science Institute

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

NATA Board of Certification

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education