License Requirements for Athletic Training

Any use of the title "licensed athletic trainer" within New York State requires licensure. (However, under specified limitation defined in Section 8356 of New York State Education Law, you may be exempt from licensure.)

To be licensed as a certified athletic trainer in New York State you must:

• be of good moral character;
• be at least 21 years of age;
• meet education requirements;
• meet examination requirements; and
• complete New York State required infection control coursework and child abuse reporting coursework.

You must submit an application for licensure and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 162, section 8355 of New York's Education Law and section 52.27 and subpart 79-7 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.

• All athletic trainers currently certified in New York will automatically be transitioned to licensed Athletic Trainers on December 22, 2025.
• No additional application or requirements are needed for this transition.
• Registration dates for any currently registered athletic trainers will not be changing. New registration certificates will be issued at the time of renewal listing it as a license.
• New license parchments can be issued upon request through our website for a fee. Read more information about obtaining a new license parchment.

Read more information about the recent changes to your profession.

The fee for licensure is $216.

Fees are subject to change. The fee due is the one in law when your application is received (unless fees are increased retroactively). You will be billed for the difference if fees have been increased.

• Do not send cash.
• If you apply for licensure electronically using the online Application for Licensure, you will be required to pay by credit card.
• Other payments must be made by personal check or money order payable to the New York State Education Department. Your cancelled check is your receipt.
• Mail any required forms and fees to the indicated address on the form.

NOTE: Payment submitted from outside the United States should be made by check or draft on a United States bank and in United States currency; payments submitted in any other form will not be accepted and will be returned.

Individuals who withdraw their licensure application may be entitled to a partial refund.

• For the procedure to withdraw your application, contact the Athletic Trainer Unit by email at opunit3@nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 270 or by fax at 518-402-5354.
• The State Education Department is not responsible for any fees paid to an outside testing or credentials verification agency.

If you withdraw your application, obtain a refund, and then decide to seek New York State licensure at a later date, you will be considered a new applicant, and you will be required to pay the licensure and registration fees and meet the licensure requirements in place at the time you reapply.

To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as an athletic trainer, you must present evidence of receiving either A, B or C below.

1. A bachelor's or higher degree from a program in athletic training that is registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying.
2. A bachelor's or higher degree from a program accredited by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), or the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

   OR

3. A program, completed before July 1, 2022, that leads to a bachelor's degree, its equivalent or a higher degree, in any major, and have completed as part of the degree program or in addition to it:
   1. 12 semester hours in the professional athletic training content area, which shall mean didactic courses and supervised clinical experiences, which include, but are not limited to, the following curricular areas:
      1. kinesiology/biomechanics;
      2. exercise physiology;
      3. infection control;
      4. professionalism and ethics; and
      5. prevention and care of athletic injuries, including but not limited to: preconditioning, conditioning, reconditioning, recognition, assessment, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
   2. 9 semester hours in the human biological and physical sciences and social and behavioral sciences content area, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following curricular areas:
      1. principles of human anatomy and physiology;
      2. neuroscience;
      3. nutrition;
      4. pharmacology;
      5. psychology and sports psychology; and
      6. counseling, education, and communication skills.
   3. 1,500 clock hours of clinical or work experience in the practice of athletic training as defined in Section 8352 of New York State Education Law supervised by:
      1. a New York State Certified Athletic Trainer, or
      2. a NATABOC certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

Child Abuse Identification Reporting: 

In addition to the professional education requirement, every applicant for licensure as an athletic trainer or limited permit to practice athletic training must complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment in accordance with Section 59.12(a) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education or qualify for an exemption. See additional information and a list of approved providers for this training.

Infection Control and Barrier Precautions:

Every applicant for licensure as an athletic trainer or limited permit to practice athletic training must complete approved coursework or training appropriate to the professional's practice in infection control and barrier precautions, in accordance with Section 59.13(a) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education or qualify for an exemption. See additional information and a list of approved providers for this training.

No additional experience is required beyond the practicum/internship required to satisfy the education requirements.

To meet the examination requirements for licensure as a certified athletic trainer, you must obtain satisfactory scores on athletic training examinations acceptable to the State Education Department. The certification examination of the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) is an acceptable examination. If you have taken this examination, you must contact the BOC to request a "Certification Verification" be sent directly to the Office of the Professions. Certification verification requests must be made in writing or via the Web at www.bocatc.org . For information on the examination, contact the BOC at:

Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer
1415 Harney Street, Suite 200
Omaha, NE 68102
Toll Free Number: 877-262-3926
Phone: 402-559-0091
Fax: 402-561-0598
Email: staff@bocatc.org
Web: www.bocatc.org

The department may issue a limited permit to an applicant who meets all qualifications for licensure, except the examination, in accordance with regulations promulgated therefor.

Limited permits shall be valid for one year, and such limited permits may be renewed, at the discretion of the department, for one additional year.

The fee for each limited permit and for renewal shall be seventy dollars.

A limited permit holder shall practice only under the supervision of a physician as determined in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.