Requirements for Athletic Trainers by State
at a snapshot
To become a certified athletic trainer, the majority of the United States requires similar prerequisites but specific requirements do vary from state-to-state. The guide below provides each states requirements at a glance, but we also urge that you look in-depth into your states regulations as well.
Pick Your State to See Requirements
ALABAMA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on December 31 of every year and the deadline for submitting applications for renewal is November 30
Regulatory State Board
ALASKA
Requirements
-
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
-
Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
-
Hold a current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC)
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses must be renewed biennially on or before August 31 of odd-numbered years
Regulatory State Board
ARIZONA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must pass a national exam approved by the board within one year before the date of the application
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- Licenses must be renewed on an annual basis
Regulatory State Board
ARKANSAS
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must meet other curriculum and internship requirements as required by the certifying testing agency
- Must pass board-approved qualifying exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- Licenses are valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year and must be renewed annually
Regulatory State Board
CALIFORNIA
There are no regulations mandating education and certification requirements for becoming an athletic trainer, meaning that anyone can call themselves an athletic trainer and practice in the state.
COLORADO
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses must be renewed on an annual basis
Regulatory State Board
CONNECTICUT
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in any area from an accredited institution of higher education
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- Licenses must be renewed on an annual basis
Regulatory State Board
DELAWARE
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years
- Must complete 3 hours of continuing education over the 24-month period
Regulatory State Board
FLORIDA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
- Has current certification in both cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire biannually
- Must complete 24 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
GEORGIA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire on June 30 of even-numbered years
- Must complete 40 hours of continuing education
- However, those who received their Georgia license within one year of the renewal date shall not be required to meet the continuing education requirements for that initial renewal period ONLY
Regulatory State Board
HAWAII
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses must be renewed by June 30 every three years regardless of license date (2025, 2028, 2031, and so on)
State Board
IDAHO
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that meets the minimum athletic training requirement as established by the state board
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Depending on the application, licenses must be renewed every 1-5 years
Regulatory State Board
ILLINOIS
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must complete 800 hours of clinical experience
- Must be certified by NATA
- Must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Athletic Trainers who teach in high schools must have a state teaching certificate
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on May 31 of even-numbered years and may be renewed during the month preceding the expiration
- Must complete 40 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
INDIANA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that meets the minimum athletic training requirement as established by the state board
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
- Has current certification in both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on May 31 of even-numbered years
- Must complete 40 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
IOWA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in any area from an accredited institution of high education
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on February 28 of odd-numbered years
- Paperwork needs to be sent for license renewal by December 31
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education for every 24-month period
Regulatory State Board
KANSAS
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that meets the minimum athletic training requirement as established by the state board
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on December 31
- Must complete 20 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
KENTUCKY
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses are on a three-year cycle and must be renewed at the end of the cycle regardless of when obtained
- Must complete 10 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
LOUISIANA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that meets the minimum athletic training requirement as established by the state board
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire on June 30
Regulatory State Board
MAINE
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on August 31
Regulatory State Board
MARYLAND
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years
Regulatory State Board
MASSACHUSETTS
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on each applicants birthdate of even-numbered years
Regulatory State Board
MICHIGAN
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
- Have an active CPR certification
- Minimum one-hour of first aid training
- Complete training in identification of human trafficking
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses expire every three years
- First aid and CPR training certifications must be valid
Regulatory State Board
MINNESOTA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every year on July 1
Regulatory State Board
MISSISSIPPI
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses expire every year on December 31
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years
Regulatory State Board
MISSOURI
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
- Must be a resident of Missouri or be establishing residency
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every year on January 30
Regulatory State Board
MONTANA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses expire every year on August 31
Regulatory State Board
NEBRASKA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Those who served in the military who have completed education or training that is substantially similar to the education required may submit an application
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on May 1 of every odd-numbered year
- Must complete 25 hours of continuing education
- Must have an active CPR certificate
Regulatory State Board
NEVADA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- Licenses expire every year on June 30
Regulatory State Board
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years
Regulatory State Board
NEW MEXICO
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Has current certification in both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on August 31
- Must maintain CPR/AED certification
- Must complete 75 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
NORTH CAROLINA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on select dates in January
- Must complete 75 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
NORTH DAKOTA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses expire every year on June 13
- Must complete 80 hours of continuing education every three years
Regulatory State Board
OHIO
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Supervised clinical experience
- Achieve a minimum score of 90% on the Ohio athletic trainers jurisprudence exam
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses must be renewed by September 13 of even-numbered years
- Must complete 75 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
OKLAHOMA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- Licenses must be renewed every year from initial license date
Regulatory State Board
OREGON
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Those who served in the military who have completed education or training that is substantially similar to the education required may submit an application
- Has current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- Licenses must be renewed every year from initial license date
- Must complete 10 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
PENNSYLVANIA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years
- Must meet the required continuing education required by the BOC
Regulatory State Board
RHODE ISLAND
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must complete clinical experience (internship)
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years
- Must meet required continuing education required by the BOC
Regulatory State Board
SOUTH CAROLINA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years
- Must complete two courses during two year period, courses are stated by the state’s regulatory board
Regulatory State Board
SOUTH DAKOTA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire every year on July 1 regardless of initial license date
- Must complete 25 hours of continuing education or possess an active BOC certification
Regulatory State Board
TENNESSEE
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Minimum score of 75% on the administered jurisprudence exam
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years on the last day of the license holder’s birth month
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
TEXAS
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must complete a minimum of 1,800 hours in an apprenticeship
- Must successfully complete the jurisprudence exam no more than six months prior to applying
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire two years from the initial date of issuance
- Must obtain 40 hours of continuing education
- Must show proof of current Emergency Cardiac Care certification at the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers/Professional Rescuers and Healthcare Providers level or beyond
Regulatory State Board
VERMONT
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire on September 30 of even-numbered years
Regulatory State Board
VIRGINIA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years during odd-numbered years on the last day of the license holder’s birth month
Regulatory State Board
WASHINGTON
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Must complete seven hours of AIDS education
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education OR possess a current BOC
- Must obtain 10 hours of evidence-based practice
Regulatory State Board
WEST VIRGINIA
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years on June 30
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
WISCONSIN
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Has current certification in both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Required
Renewal
- All licenses expire every two years on June 30 of even-numbered years
- Must have liability insurance coverage with a minimum of $1M per occurrence
- Must obtain 30 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board
WYOMING
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited athletic training program is required
- Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Liability Insurance
- Recommended
Renewal
- All licenses expire on September 30 of the years following the initial year of issue
- Must complete 50 hours of continuing education
Regulatory State Board