A step-by-step guide for candidates preparing for the BOC exam BOC CERTIFICATION EXAM CANDIDATE HANDBOOK Effective for March/April 2021 - January/February 2022 Exam Windows Published January 20212 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 3GLOSSARY 5INTRODUCTION 6CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY 6Students/Graduates of a CAATE Accredited Program 6ARTI Certified 7Discrimination Statement 7Determining Eligibility 7 Application Process 11 Registration Process 11 Accommodation Requests 14Scheduling the Exam 15PREPARING FOR THE EXAM 15 Exam Format 16Practice Analysis, 7th Edition 16Study Aids 17EXAM DAY 17Candidate Check-In for Exam 21 Exam Administration 22Inclement Weather Policy for Exam 22Appeal of Exam Administration 23EXAM SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY 23 Ethical Behavior 23 Security Violations 24SCORING AND RESULTS 24The Scoring Process 24 Notification of Results 25 Appeal of Exam Results 26RESCHEDULING AN EXAM 26Rescheduling Within the Same Exam Window 26Rescheduling to a Different Exam Window Before Scheduling an Exam 26Rescheduling to a Different Exam Window After Scheduling an Exam 27Rescheduling Due to Extenuating Circumstances 27Failure to Schedule Exam 27Submitting a Rescheduling Fee 27 Rescheduling Locations 28CANCELLATION, NO SHOW AND EXAM FEE FORFEITURE 28Cancellation 29Appeal of Exam Fee Forfeiture 30RETAKING THE EXAM 30Retake Requirements 31COMPLETING FILE FOR CERTIFICATION 31 Submission of Required Information 31 Records 32 Documentation Required to Complete File for Certification 34BOC CERTIFICATION ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES 34Newly Certified Information 35State Regulation 35 Certification Verification 36 Certification Maintenance Requirements 37 Personal Profile 38APPENDIX A 39APPENDIX B 41APPENDIX C 43APPENDIX D 44APPENDIX E 46APPENDIX F3 GLOSSARY GLOSSARY ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act ARTI - Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland BOC - Board of Certification, Inc. Breakdown on Two Business Days for Rescheduling/Cancelling The BOC must receive the written request from the candidate no later than 5 p.m. CT, offset UTC-6 hours on the following: Testing DayWritten Request Due Saturday or Sundaythe previous Thursday Fridaythe previous Wednesday Thursdaythe previous Tuesday Wednesdaythe previous Monday Tuesdaythe previous Friday Mondaythe previous Thursday Business Days - Monday-Friday, excluding holidays CAATE - Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education4 GLOSSARY ECC - Emergency Cardiac Care Exam Application Process Step 1: Complete “AT101-Exam Application” Step 2: Complete “AT102-Exam Application” Exam Registration Step 3: Submit and pay “AT103-Exam Registration” Exam Scheduling - Log into Scantron website to schedule exam site/date/time Exam Window - Specific dates when a candidate may sit for the exam Government-Issued Photo ID This is a requirement for admittance into the BOC exam. Must meet all of the following requirements: • Be an original document; photocopied documents and electronic images are not acceptable • Be valid; expired documents (bearing expiration dates that have passed) are not acceptable • Include a recent, recognizable photograph • Include your signature (the name and signature on the ID document must match) • School ID will NOT be accepted Holiday Closures Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 18Labor Day: September 6 Good Friday: April 2Thanksgiving: November 25-26 Memorial Day: May 31Winter Holidays: December 23-24 Independence Day: July 5New Year’s Eve: December 31 Legal Name The first and last name (including any suffix such as Jr, Sr, I, II, III, etc.) as it appears on a valid, government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID). Candidates with more than one last name listed on their government-issued photo ID must have the same last name reflected on the exam admission ticket. NATA - National Athletic Trainers’ Association PD - Program director Scantron - BOC’s professional testing vendor UCJC - University Camilo José Cela5 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Board of Certification The Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) was incorporated in 1989 as a not-for-profit credentialing agency to provide a certification program for the entry-level athletic training profession. The BOC establishes both the standards for the practice of athletic training and the continuing education requirements for BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs). The BOC also works with state regulatory agencies to provide credential information, professional conduct guidelines and regulatory standards on certification issues. The BOC has the only accredited certification program for ATs in the United States and has a mutual recognition agreement with Ireland (ARTI). BOC Vision The BOC exists so that health care professionals worldwide have access to globally recognized standards of competence and exceptional credentialing programs that support them in the protection of the public and the provision of excellent patient care. BOC Mission To provide exceptional credentialing programs for health care professionals to assure protection of the public. BOC Values Integrity, Professionalism, Fairness, Transparency, Service BOC Certification In order to attain BOC certification, an individual must graduate from an athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) with a bachelor’s or master’s degree or meet the eligibility requirements for ARTI certified individuals and pass the BOC exam. If the program is in the accreditation process, candidates must be enrolled in the program during the semester of the CAATE site visit. A current list of CAATE Accredited Programs are available on the CAATE website at CAATE.net. Application and completion of the BOC certification program is voluntary. This handbook has been developed for individuals who are candidates for certification or reinstatement as Athletic Trainers (ATs). As such, it contains information on eligibility requirements, the application process, BOC certification, ongoing responsibilities to maintain certification and a variety of other important topics. Candidates are responsible for becoming familiar with its contents and using it in completing the certification process. Contact the BOC Board of Certification Attn: Credentialing 1415 Harney St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68102 Email: Exam@bocatc.org Website: BOCATC.org Office: (402) 559-0091 Toll Free: (877) 262-3926 Fax: (402) 561-0598 Attn: Credentialing Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CT Friday hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. CT6 CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY Students/Graduates of a CAATE Accredited Program Candidates who are enrolled and/or registered in their final semester/quarter prior to graduation are eligible to sit for the BOC exam. Qualified candidates for the BOC exam must have received confirmation on their exam application by the program director recognized by CAATE that they have earned or will earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree. Candidates who graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a CAATE (previously JRC-AT) accredited program in 2003 or later meet the education requirements for the BOC exam. ARTI Certified In 2014, ARTI joined the BOC in a Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The arrangement allows BOC Certified ATs and ARTI Certified Athletic Rehabilitation Therapists the opportunity to write/take each other’s certification exams, thereby removing barriers for certified professionals to possibly obtain employment in another jurisdiction. In order to qualify as a candidate for the BOC certification exam, an individual certified by ARTI must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. An official from the ARTI office must confirm the individual’s ARTI certification on the BOC exam application. For instructions on how to complete the BOC exam application as an ARTI Certified Athletic Rehabilitation Therapist, see Apply for Exam and the BOC website. Please note that earning BOC certification does not guarantee the ability to obtain a license to practice athletic training in the United States. Visit the state regulatory page to view laws and contact information for each state or contact the BOC for assistance. I II7 CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY Discrimination Statement The BOC will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, color, age, disability, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), pregnancy, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, creed, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Determining Eligibility Applications are reviewed by BOC staff to determine candidate eligibility. Candidates must use their legal first, last name and suffix when completing the application. All candidates are required to have an email address. Candidates have one year to complete the application process once started. Failure to successfully complete the application process within this time frame will require submission of a new application meeting all current fee and eligibility requirements. III IV V Application Process A.Creating a Personal Profile in BOC Central™ 1. Enter Name Correctly When creating a personal profile in BOC Central, it is critical that candidates enter their legal first, last name and suffix exactly as it appears on their valid government-issued photo ID (acceptable IDs include driver’s licenses, passports and state-issued IDs). The candidate’s exam admission ticket will use the name provided by the candidate in the “Personal Information” section in BOC Central. On exam day, candidates will be asked to produce their valid, government-issued photo ID. The legal first, last name and suffix on the photo ID must match exactly the first name, last name and suffix on the exam ticket. If the name on the photo ID does not match the name on the admissions ticket, the candidate will not be permitted to take the exam and will be considered a “no show.” School IDs will not be accepted. 2. Name Change Requests Candidates who have a change of name (e.g.; marriage, divorce, second last name, suffix) are required to notify the BOC by logging into BOC Central and completing “AT401 - Name Change Request” form. Candidates will need to provide documentation that supports this name change. Information of correct documentation is outlined on the “AT401 - Name Change Request” form.8 CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY B. Completing Exam Application 1. Complete “AT101 - Exam Application - Step 1” • Candidate completes and submits form • Program director or ARTI confirms eligibility • Candidate is notified of form status via email 2. Complete “AT102 - Exam Application - Step 2” • Candidate answers affidavit questions • Documentation will be required if candidate has a legal or academic discipline case • Candidate pays non-refundable application fee Meeting exam deadlines is the candidate’s responsibility. If it is getting close to the exam application deadline date and the candidate has not yet received an email from the BOC indicating Step 1 of the application has been approved, the candidate should contact the appropriate person (i.e. program director or ARTI) and remind them of the upcoming application deadline. Applications received by 5 p.m. CT on the application deadline date are processed within two business days for the current exam window. If the exam application was submitted after 5 p.m. CT on the exam application deadline date, the candidate will not be eligible to sit for the current exam window. The BOC will process the candidate’s application after the registration window for the current exam window closes. If the program director of a CAATE accredited athletic training program refuses to confirm Step 1 of the exam application to allow a candidate to sit for the BOC exam, the candidate may submit an official transcript with degree, date of degree and a written request for the BOC to confirm Step 1 of the application. The BOC will review the official transcript to confirm graduation from a CAATE accredited program and approve Step 1 of the exam application without the program director verifying that the candidate was/is in the program. For more details on submitting an official transcript, see page 32 - Documentation Required to Complete File for Certification. If the candidate’s CAATE accredited athletic training program is closed, the candidate must provide the BOC an official transcript with degree and date of degree posted. After reviewing the official transcript, the BOC will process Step 1 of the candidate’s exam application.9 CERTIFICATION EXAM ELIGIBILITY C. Approved Application Once a candidate’s eligibility is approved, the candidate will be notified via email and will be able to register and pay for the exam when the exam registration window opens. Candidates with an approved exam application are expected to comply with the “BOC Standards of Professional Practice” at all times. Registration dates can be found on the BOC website. Candidates have one year from their application approval date to register and pay for the BOC exam. If a candidate has registered for the final exam window prior to their expiration date, the candidate must sit during that exam window; rescheduling is not an option. Failure to register, pay and sit for the exam within this time frame will require submission of a new application. When submitting a new application, candidates must satisfy the current eligibility and fee requirements. D. Incomplete or Denied Application If an application does not meet eligibility requirements, the candidate will be notified via email. The notification will provide specific information regarding deficiencies with the application. Candidates who have a completed application to the BOC by 5 p.m. CT, offset UTC-6 hours on the application deadline will be given the opportunity to resolve their deficiencies prior to the exam registration deadline date. E.Appeal of a Denied Application 1. If the BOC does not approve an application, the candidate can initiate an appeal via email, fax or mail. Appeals must be made in writing to Credentialing. The candidate is responsible for providing documentation to demonstrate the appeal should be granted . 2.Appeals must be received in writing via email, fax or mail by the exam registration deadline date for the exam window the candidate is requesting. The BOC will review the appeal. The candidate will be notified in writing of the subsequent decision. Exam@bocatc.org Fax: (402) 561-0598 Board of Certification Attn: Credentialing 1415 Harney St Ste 200 Omaha NE 68102-2250Next >