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Certification Maintenance Requirements For Certified Athletic Trainers RENEWAL PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 2, 2026 CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 2 Table of Contents MAINTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATION3 Attest to Compliance with BOC Standards of Professional Practice 4 Upload Current Emergency Cardiac Care Certification Card/Certificate4 Pay Annual Certification Maintenance Fee5 Report Continuing Education6 CE PROGRAM CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS 8 16 Category A9 Category B10 Category C11 Category D12 REPORTING13 How To Report CE and ECC13 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION 14 Reactivation14 Reinstatement14 Request an Extension14 Audit14 Contact Information14 BOC360 TUTORIAL15 Log into Your Profile15 BOC360 Dashboard16 Continuing Education Reporting Form17 CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 3 Maintaining Your Certification Compliance with the “BOC Standards of Professional Practice,” emergency cardiac care, certification maintenance fees and continuing education is required to maintain your certification. RequirementYear 1 Due Dec. 31, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. CT Year 2 Due Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT 1. Attest to compliance with BOC Standards of Professional Practice REQUIREDREQUIRED 2. Upload or confirm current Emergency Cardiac Care certification card/certificate REQUIREDREQUIRED 3. Pay annual Certification Maintenance Fee REQUIRED (waived if certified in 2024) REQUIRED 4. Report Continuing Education Due Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT If above requirements not met by deadline: *Late fees may be assessed for each year requirements are late (e.g. $20 if late in 2024 and $20 if late in 2025 = $40 in late fees) Certification remains active. AT must submit missing requirements and pay a $20 late fee by Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT. Certification expires. To return to Certified status, AT must submit missing requirements and pay a $20 late fee by Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT. CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 4 1. ATTEST TO COMPLIANCE WITH BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ATs are required to attest to compliance with “BOC Standards of Professional Practice” annually to maintain BOC certification. 2. UPLOAD OR CONFIRM CURRENT EMERGENCY CARDIAC CARE CERTIFICATION CARD/CERTIFICATE ATs must have a current emergency cardiac care (ECC) certification in their BOC profile. Annually, ATs will be asked to upload their current ECC certification (card or certificate) or be prompted to confirm their current ECC certification. Continuing education units (CEUs) are not awarded for maintaining ECC. Depending on the ECC provider, ECC renewal may not be required each year. ATs must be able to: •Demonstrate ongoing certification in the competencies outlined in the BOC’s ECC guidelines. •Maintain documentation for current and expired courses for up to two years after the renewal period. ECC certification programs must include all of the following: 9 Adult CPR 9 Pediatric CPR 9 Second rescuer CPR 9 AED 9 Airway obstruction 9 Barrier devices (e.g., pocket mask, bag valve mask) 9 Demonstrated skills (Online ECC courses are acceptable if skills are demonstrated and tested in person by a qualified instructor. The in-person test can include video technology.) Acceptable ECC providers are those adhering to the most current “International Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care.” Examples of courses that provide the above requirements include, but are not limited to: •CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer through the American Red Cross •BLS Healthcare Provider through the American Red Cross •BLS Provider through the American Heart Association Online ECC Courses Online ECC courses are acceptable if skills are demonstrated and tested by a certified ECC instructor, a voice assisted manikin (VAM) or a visual assisted manikin. The in-person test can include video technology. Examples of acceptable blended programs include: •AHA HeartCode - students must attend a structured hands-on session with an AHA Instructor •ProTrainings LLC’s ProCPR - students must select the blended/hands-on option that requires a live instructor-led video conference Instructor Cards The BOC accepts the American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider Instructor or American Heart Association BLS Instructor card. All other instructor cards are unacceptable unless the provider can confirm, in writing, that their instructors are required to maintain and successfully demonstrate provider skills to renew their instructor status. Documentation The BOC reserves the right to request ECC documentation at any time; this includes, but is not limited to, the BOC audit. ATs must provide current ECC documentation upon submission of your Continuing Education Reporting Form. ATs must retain all ECC documentation that was current during the renewal period for at least two years after the end of the renewal period. The only acceptable documents are original certification cards, original certificates of completion or photocopies (front and back) of certification cards or certificates of completion. The instructor and cardholder must sign cards or certifications of completion if a QR code is not provided. Letters provided by instructors are not acceptable. Reporting View easy, step-by-step instructions to report ECC and CE on page 13. ATs are encouraged to submit updated ECC documentation in their BOC profiles. Keeping up to date ECC records will help ATs ensure continuous ECC certification is maintained. ATs can also enter and confirm their ECC information on their CEU reporting form and are required to hold onto all ECC cards/certificates for up to two years after the renewal period. If audited, the AT is to provide copies of ECC documentation to show proof of compliance in ECC for the entire renewal period. Maintaining Your Certification CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 5 3. PAY ANNUAL CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE FEE The annual certification maintenance fee supports the administrative, disciplinary, regulatory and professional development activities required of the BOC to retain NCCA accreditation and assure protection of the public. NCCA accreditation highlights the essential elements of a high-quality program and is necessary for continued recognition of ATs by employers and regulators that identify the BOC exam and continuing education (CE) requirements in their state statutes, rules and regulations. Every AT has been required to pay the certification maintenance fee since 1992. The BOC waives the certification maintenance fee for ATs who are certified in the same year the fee is assessed. The fee is non-refundable. To receive the NATA membership discount on your BOC certification maintenance fee, your NATA membership must be current and your member number must be entered in your BOC profile at the time of payment. NATA Member FeeDeadline to Pay Fee If Not Paid by Deadline $50 2024 Fee Dec. 31, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. CT Remain certified and must pay $50 fee plus a $20 late fee by Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT 2025 Fee Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Certification expires and must pay $50 fee plus a $20 late fee by Mar. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Non-Member FeeDeadline to Pay Fee If Not Paid by Deadline $65 2024 Fee Dec. 31, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. CT Remain certified and must pay $65 fee plus a $20 late fee by Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT 2025 Fee Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Certification expires and must pay $65 fee plus a $20 late fee by Mar. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Additional fees Electronic certification verification $30 Return ACH fee $25 NOTE: Fee is waived for newly certified ATs for the year in which they are certified (i.e. 2024 fee waived for ATs certified in 2024). Pay your certification maintenance fees in your BOC profile using the steps below. You will need to complete the steps below twice if you owe both the 2024 and 2025 certification maintenance fees. 9 Log into your BOC profile. 9 If paying by debit or credit card: -Click “Pay 2024 Cert Maintenance Fee” or “Pay 2025 Cert Maintenance Fee” under “My To Do List.” -Complete payment form using Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. 9 If paying by check or money order: -Update your contact information in your BOC profile or mark any corrections before mailing. -Make check or money order payable to the BOC and mail to: Board of Certification P.O. Box 31306 Omaha, NE 68131-0306 -Check or money order must be received by the BOC no later than 5 p.m. CT on Feb. 2 2026 Maintaining Your Certification CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 6 4. REPORT CONTINUING EDUCATION Continuing Competence According to NCCA, continuing competence is defined as “demonstrating specified levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities throughout an individual’s professional career. Related to recertification, maintaining competence, and continuing education.” In line with this definition, the BOC CE requirements are intended to promote continued competence, development of current knowledge and skills and enhancement of professional skills and judgment not only at the time of certification but throughout their career. The BOC supports the ongoing professional development and maintenance of BOC certification by: •Requiring reasonable and appropriate continuing education activities. •Encouraging the ongoing professional development of ATs. •Providing a standardized, objective and straightforward process for attaining and recording CE programs. As a part of continuing competence, the BOC requires ATs to complete a predetermined number of continuing education units (CEUs) within a given time period. CE programs must be intended for credentialed health care providers and wellness professionals. Athletic Trainer Number of CEUs Period Begins Period Ends Certified prior to 2023 50Jan. 1, 2024 Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Certified in 2023 50Date Certified Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Certified in 2024 25Date Certified Feb. 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. CT Certified in 2025 50Date Certified Jan. 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT Current and Upcoming Renewal Periods Renewal Period Timing Jan. 1, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2026 Current Jan. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2028 Upcoming Please note: ATs can accumulate continuing education units (CEUs) during January 2026 to either complete the 2024-2025 renewal period or the upcoming renewal period. As information continually changes, it is important for professionals to learn the latest about athletic training. CE requirements are meant to ensure that ATs continue to: • Stay on the cutting edge in the field of ath- letic training. • Obtain current professional development information. • Explore new knowledge in specific content areas. • Master new athletic training-related skills and techniques. • Expand approaches to effective athletic training. • Further develop professional judgment. • Conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner. CE Description The BOC definition of CE is broad, to encompass activities that assist ATs in carrying out their professional responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Examples of topics that are included in the BOC definition of CE include: •Clinical knowledge and skills •Facility and/or practice management •Reimbursement and insurance coding in an athletic training or other health care practice •Educational methodology Note: PA8 acknowledges that ATs have knowledge and skill in teaching, educating and communicating with patients and other stakeholders. CE activities that enhance educational knowledge and skills necessary to educate athletic training students are acceptable. Practice Analysis The rapid advancements in athletic training- related knowledge makes maintaining a minimal level of competence a continuous responsibility of every practitioner, regardless of employment status and location. Continued learning and maintaining competence as a health care provider are important aspects of professionalism, which have not gone unnoticed by society; in fact, society demands that all professionals are qualified and competent within their respective fields. It is estimated that the doubling time of medical knowledge in 1950 was 50 years; in 1980, 7 years; and in 2010, 3.5 years. In 2020 it is projected to be 0.2 years—just 73 days. Students who began medical school in the autumn of 2010 will experience approximately three doublings in knowledge by the time they complete the minimum length of training (7 years) needed to practice medicine. Students who graduate in 2020 will experience four doublings in knowledge. What was learned in Maintaining Your Certification CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 7 Maintaining Your Certification the first 3 years of medical school will be just 6% of what is known at the end of the decade from 2010 to 2020. Knowledge is expanding faster than our ability to assimilate and apply it effectively; and this is as true in education and patient care as it is in research. Clearly, simply adding more material and or time to the curriculum will not be an effective coping strategy—fundamental change has become an imperative. 1 Therefore, the BOC performs a practice analysis approximately every five years and requires that ATs report CE programs every two years to encourage and assure an AT’s ongoing competence in the ever changing landscape of health care knowledge and skill. The “Practice Analysis, 8th Edition” (PA8) defines the current entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities required for practice in the profession of athletic training. It contains the entry-level standards of practice, the domains of athletic training, an entry-level job analysis and a review of literature containing over 300 publications. In addition to serving as the blueprint for the BOC exam, it serves as a guide in determining relevant content areas for CE programs. Copies of the current PA8 may be ordered online on the BOC website. The accompanying PA8 documents are available for download on the BOC website at no cost: •Content Outline for PA8 •Comparison of PA8 to PA7 •How to Use the Practice Analysis •Crosswalk Comparing BOC Practice Analysis, 8th Edition and CAATE 2020 Standards for Accreditation of Professional Athletic Training Programs CEU Calculation CEUs are based on contact hours. Contact hours are defined as the number of actual clock hours spent in direct participation in a structured education format as a learner. One CEU is equivalent to one contact hour. CEUs will be awarded only for programs that are completed within renewal period. CEUs in excess of the amount required cannot be carried over for credit in subsequent renewal periods. CEUs cannot be earned prior to certification. CEUs are not awarded for time spent in registration, breaks/lunches, exhibits, business meetings and social activities. Documentation Original documentation confirming completion of a program must be kept for two years after the renewal period has ended (see category description for documentation specifics). Uploading CE documentation is optional at the time of submitting a continuing education reporting form. However, ATs are encouraged to use their BOC profiles as a way to retain CE documentation. CE Categories The charts on the following pages describe each category and provide possible programs that may qualify for the category, the number of CEUs and the required documentation that will be needed if you are audited. ATs are required to submit documentation if they receive an audit notification from the BOC. All CE programs/activities described for each category must be intended for an audience of credentialed health care and/or wellness providers (i.e., ATs, PTs, RNs, PAs, PTAs, MDs, DOs, CPTs) and the content must be at least entry-level and pertain to the domains identified in the PA8. Activity Review All CE activities must fall within the domains of the PA8. The free Individual Activity Review tool is a resource to determine if CE activities fall within the domains of athletic training as defined in the PA8. The BOC ultimately determines if an activity is eligible for CEUs regardless of the outcome of this tool. Visit the BOC website for details. Additional help in determining if a course falls within the domains of athletic training can be requested by logging into your BOC profile and completing form “AT205 - Individual Activity Review.” BOC staff will review your activity and provide a final determination for a $45 fee. 1.Challenges and Opportunities Facing Medical Education, Peter Densen, MD.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3116346/. CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 8 CE Program Category Descriptions CE programs must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to the practice of athletic training. There are two levels of CE with different categories in each level. Level I categories are for competence activities and programs that require a level of compliance with standards established by the BOC. Level II categories are competence activities and programs that do not require compliance with standards established by the BOC. Each category specifies a minimum and/or a maximum number of CEUs. CATEGORY A BOC Approved Provider Programs - Level I Minimum - 10 CEUs if 50 CEUs due; 5 CEUs if 25 CEUs due Maximum - none CATEGORY B Professional and Scholarly Activities - Level II Minimum - none Maximum - 33 CEUs if 50 CEUs due; 17 CEUs if 25 CEUs due CATEGORY C Post-Certification College/University Coursework - Level II Minimum - none Maximum - 40 CEUs if 50 CEUs due; 20 CEUs if 25 CEUs due CATEGORY D Non-Approved Provider Programs - Level II Minimum - none Maximum - 28 CEUs if 50 CEUs due; 14 CEUs if 25 CEUs due CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 9 CATEGORY A BOC Approved Provider Programs - Level I Minimum - 10 CEUs if 50 CEUs due; 5 CEUs if 25 CEUs due Maximum - none •Programs in this category are approved through BOC Approved Providers (Visit the program directory to confirm an activity qualifies for Category A). •Category A learning events can be synchronous or asynchronous and delivered in a variety of methods (i.e., internet, podcasts, multi-media). •Program faculty refers to the instructor, presenter, evaluator or author of a program/ activity. Program faculty receive CEUs for the research and preparation needed to develop a presentation. •Post-certification coursework, residency, fellowship or doctoral dissertation with a focus on athletic training. •A residency or fellowship needs to be a full year and may be claimed in the renewal period when the residency or fellowship is completed. (e.g. begin residency in June 2023 and complete residency in June 2024, the 25 Category A CEUs can be used for the current renewal period. •Author of a peer-reviewed journal article addressing patient-oriented clinical research or translational research. 1.Primary faculty refers to the presenter who prepares the presentation. 2.Secondary faculty refers to those who assist with conducting lectures, workshops or labs who must prepare based on the primary faculty’s instructions. A lead lab instructor would fall under secondary faculty. 3.The college/university attended must be accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. CE Program Category Descriptions Possible ActivitiesNumber of CEUsRequired Documentation Synchronous or asynchronous and delivered in a variety of methods (i.e., webinars, podcasts, multi-media, conferences) As awarded by provider Certificate of completion as awarded by provider including BOC statement of credit listing provider name, number and CEU total Post-certification coursework from a CAATE accredited athletic training post professional program 10 CEUs per credit hour Official transcript Graduate of a post-professional degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DSc, DAT) may qualify if the scholarly product (e.g., dissertation, research project) has a narrow focus of athletic training 3 10 CEUs if 50 CEUs required 5 CEUs if 25 CEUs required Official transcript indicating graduation within the renewal period and an approved abstract of the scholarly product The college/university attended must be accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education Program faculty/speaker or author of Category A program (speaking engagements can be counted once per topic) Primary 1 =10 CEUs per topic Secondary 2 =5 CEUs use per topic Letter of acknowledgment that includes date, title and intended audience of presentation from the conference coordinator CAATE accredited athletic training residency/fellowship 25 CEUs per yearLetter from residency/fellowship director that includes completion date and focus of the residency Accredited medical or health care provider residency/fellowship with a focus closely related to athletic training. This may include, but is not limited to: •Medical residency for orthopedics, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation •Physical therapy 25 CEUs per yearLetter from residency/fellowship director Author of a peer-reviewed journal article or textbook chapter(s) addressing patient-oriented clinical research or translational research. This may include, but is not limited to: •Mechanisms of human disease •Therapeutic interventions •Clinical trials •Development of new technologies •Epidemiologic studies •Outcomes research •Health services research •Clinical epidemiology •Clinical prediction rules •Comparative effectiveness •Systematic reviews •Critically-appraised topics Primary=15 CEUs per article/text Secondary=10 CEUs per article/text Copy of the article/chapter and guidelines for authors Competence Assessment ModulesAs awarded by BOCStatement of credit BOC Quality Improvement project10 CEUsStatement of creditNext >