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Any use of the title "certified athletic trainer" within New York State requires licensure.

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

  • be at least 21 years of age;
  • meet education requirements; and
  • meet examination requirements.

You must file 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.

The fee for licensure is $158.

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 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 a certified athletic trainer, you must present evidence of receiving either A, B or C below.

  1. A baccalaureate or higher degree from a program in athletic training that is registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying.
  2. A baccalaureate 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 baccalaureate 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 may include:
      1. kinesiology/biomechanics;
      2. exercise physiology;
      3. infection control;
      4. professionalism and ethics; and
      5. prevention and care of athletic injuries (i.e., 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 may include:
      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* supervised by:
      1. a New York State Certified Athletic Trainer, or
      2. a NATABOC certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).

*Section 8352 of New York State Education Law defines the practice of the profession of athletic training as: "the application of principles, methods and procedures for managing athletic injuries/illnesses, which shall include the preconditioning, conditioning and reconditioning of an individual who has suffered an athletic injury through the use of appropriate preventative and supportive devices, under the supervision of a physician. Athletic training includes instructions to coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel and communities in the area of care and prevention of athletic injuries. The scope of work described herein shall not be construed as authorizing the reconditioning of neurologic injuries, conditions or disease."

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

Reasonable Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the BOC certification examination, please contact the BOC.