Athletic Trainer
Prevent, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate sports and musculoskeletal injuries while collaborating with physicians and healthcare teams.
| Median Salary | $60,250 per year |
| Job Growth (10yr) | +11%Excellent |
| Education | Master's Degree |
| Time to Start | 6-7 years |
Work Settings
- •High schools and secondary schools
- •Colleges and universities
- •Hospitals and medical centers
- •Sports medicine clinics
- •Physician offices
- •Professional sports teams
- •Performing arts organizations
- •Fitness and wellness centers
Primary Duties
- •Evaluate and diagnose musculoskeletal injuries through orthopedic assessments
- •Provide immediate emergency care and first aid for acute injuries and medical conditions
- •Develop and implement individualized rehabilitation and reconditioning programs
- •Apply protective and supportive devices including tape, bandages, and braces
- •Create and execute injury prevention programs and conduct functional movement assessments
- •Maintain comprehensive patient documentation using Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- •Develop and rehearse Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for various venues and scenarios
- •Inspect facilities, equipment, and playing surfaces to ensure safety compliance
- •Educate athletes, coaches, and parents on injury prevention, nutrition, and sports medicine topics
- •Collaborate with physicians and healthcare team members to coordinate comprehensive patient care
- •Supervise and mentor athletic training students in clinical settings
- •Manage administrative tasks including insurance claims, budgeting, and regulatory compliance
How to Become Athletic Trainer
Complete bachelor's degree with prerequisites
Earn a bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or related field. Complete required science prerequisites: anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, kinesiology, and nutrition. Maintain minimum 3.0 GPA.
Duration: 48 months
Gain observation hours and obtain CPR certification
Complete 50+ hours shadowing a certified athletic trainer. Obtain CPR/AED certification for the Professional Rescuer. Prepare application materials for master's programs.
Duration: 24 months
Complete CAATE-accredited master's program
Complete intensive graduate coursework covering five domains of clinical practice. Participate in extensive supervised clinical experiences across diverse settings. Programs typically structured as 6 semesters.
Duration: 24 months
Pass Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Apply for BOC exam during final semester (10-week application process). Pass comprehensive certification exam (75% first-time pass rate). Retake available up to 5 times within 3 years if needed.
Duration: 3 months
Obtain state licensure
Apply for state licensure or registration. Complete background checks and fingerprinting. Pass state jurisprudence exam if required. Timeline varies by state.
Duration: 3 months
Begin professional practice
Start working as a certified and licensed Athletic Trainer. Complete 50 CEUs every 2 years to maintain BOC certification. Maintain Emergency Cardiac Care certification. Renew state licensure according to state requirements.
Duration: 24 months
Continuing Education
To maintain your BOC certification, you must complete 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years, with at least 10 units in Category A. You're also required to maintain current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification throughout your career. State licensure renewal requirements vary by state but typically align with BOC standards and involve separate renewal fees and may include additional state-specific continuing education or jurisprudence requirements.
Certifications & Licenses
- •Board of Certification (BOC) credential - Required
- •State licensure or registration - Required in 49 states and DC
- •Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) certification - Required for BOC maintenance
- •CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer - Required
- •Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) - Optional
- •Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) - Optional
- •Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) - Optional
- •Manual therapy or dry needling certifications - Optional (where legally permitted)