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CERT UPDATE A PUBLICATION FROM THE BOARD OF CERTIFICATION WINTER 2025 Your Guide to CPC Renewal and Pathfinder RENEWED. RECHARGED. READY. 2 BOCATC.ORG WINTER 2025 During the BOC volunteer reception at the NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, the BOC presented a very special honor — the BOC Visionary Emeritus Award — recognizing exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication and lasting impact on the athletic training profession. Congratulations to our winner, Lindsy McLean, AT Ret. Often called the father of certification, McLean saw what the profession needed before most realized it. In the late 1960s, when questions about standards and qualifications began to surface, McLean stepped forward not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. He didn’t just advocate for credentialing, he built it. He became the first chair of the Certification Committee and helped lay the groundwork for the national certification exam we know today. From that foundation grew a system of state licensure and national recognition that protects the public and the integrity of our profession. Simply put: every Athletic Trainer practicing today owes something to the vision and action McLean set in motion. He was a pioneer, a tireless advocate and a mentor to generations. From San Jose State to the University of Michigan, to the 49ers and the 1968 Winter Olympics, McLean never stopped championing athletic training and its future. Whether he was creating the AT Retired credential to honor the careers of veteran professionals or mentoring students who would become leaders in their own right, McLean led with humility, conviction and clarity of purpose. He never chased accolades, only progress. McLean’s work still shapes every corner of the athletic training profession. Please join us in recognizing a trailblazer whose legacy continues to elevate us all. Lindsy McLean Presented with the BOC Visionary Emeritus Award 2 BOCATC.ORG WINTER 2025 Mollie Pillman Executive Director WELCOME TO NATA’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The BOC looks forward to collaborating with Executive Director Mollie Pillman and her team to continue advancing the athletic training profession. “I’m committed to working together to provide one strong, unified voice for the profession, representing every Athletic Trainer. When we speak and act as one team, we’re most effective and can achieve great things.” - Mollie Pillman WINTER 2025 BOCATC.ORG 3 INSIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025 BOC Board Officers 3 Letter from the President 4 BOC CONNECTION BOC Begins Work on Practice Analysis, 9th Edition 4 Raise the Bar - Complete Your CE Renewal Requirements with Confidence 5 Cover Article: Renewed. Recharged. Ready. Your Guide to CPC Renewal and Pathfinder 6 Need to Make Sense of Hundreds of Volunteers? BOC Did Just That 10 New BOC Approved Providers 12 Featured BOC Approved Provider 12 ARTI Athletic Therapist Earns BOC Certification Via the International Arrangement 13 ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION Orthopedic Specialty Earns NCCA Accreditation and Announces Specialty Council 14 Orthopedic Specialty - 2026 Exam Deadlines 15 INDUSTRY NEWS The AT Compact Moves Forward: Highlights from the Legislative Summit 8 In-Depth Look: Assistant Athletic Trainer for the American Hockey League 16 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND STATE REGULATION Legislative News 20 New Federal Law Expands Use of 529 Plans to Include Qualified Expenses on Credentialing Programs 21 Unlicensed Athletic Trainer Practice: A Growing Concern 22 BOC CORNER Lindsy McLean Presented with the BOC Visionary Emeritus Award 2 Meet the BOC Volunteers 11 BOC News in Brief 18 BOC Holiday Closures 23 NATA NEWS Latest News and Updates from NATA 19 CANDIDATES Athletic Trainer Certification - 2026 Exam Deadlines 23 2025 BOARD OFFICERS President/ Corporate/Educational Director Brian Conway, LAT, ATC Vice President/Athletic Trainer Director Chris Ashton, MS, LAT, ATC Treasurer/Athletic Trainer Director Jeremy Marra, MS, ATC, CSCS, CES Athletic Trainer Director Christina Chapski, EdD, AT, ATC Physician Director Sujan Gogu, DO, FAAFP Public Director Robin Jenkins, MSW, DCSW, CPM, ICE-CCP, CAE Athletic Trainer Director Kelsey Rynkiewicz, PhD, LAT, ATC, NREMT Athletic Trainer Director Bonnie Van Lunen, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FNAP Athletic Trainer Director Lynne-Marie Young, M.Ed, LAT, ATC Chief Executive Officer Anne Minton, MBA, ICE-CCPLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Brian Conway, LAT, ATC We are witnessing extraordinary progress for athletic training, not just in what we do, but in how we define ourselves as a profession. With the upcoming launch of our new certification renewal program, Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Renewal, we’ve taken a bold step forward. Beyond merely a change in process, it’s a reflection of a field that is renewed, recharged and ready for the path ahead. This transformation means every Athletic Trainer will have access to a certification experience that’s modern, meaningful and built to evolve with their practice. It ensures that the skills and knowledge of our professionals remain at the forefront, directly impacting the quality of care we deliver and the outcomes our patients deserve. It raises the standard for our profession as well as the communities, teams and organizations that rely on us. None of this advancement happened in isolation. It’s the result of countless hours invested by dedicated BOC volunteers, industry experts and strategic partners who shared a vision: to elevate athletic training to new heights. Together, we built a program that reflects both the science and the heart of our work, and together, we’ve positioned our profession for what comes next. As we step into this new era, let’s embrace a collective renewal of our purpose, a recharge of our passion and a commitment to the path ahead — one that strengthens each of us as professionals and, most importantly, enhances the lives of those we serve. The future of athletic training is bright, and it begins now, with all of us. With deep appreciation, Brian Conway BOC BEGINS WORK ON PRACTICE ANALYSIS, 9TH EDITION This year the BOC began development of the Practice Analysis, 9th Edition (PA9), a cornerstone project for the athletic training profession. WHAT THE PRACTICE ANALYSIS DOES AND WHY IT MATTERS The practice analysis defines the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of Athletic Trainers (ATs) entering the profession. It sets the standards of practice, outlines the domains of athletic training, includes an entry-level job analysis and reviews current literature. Beyond serving as the blueprint for the BOC certification exam, the practice analysis also guides the development of continuing education (CE) programs by identifying the most relevant content areas. Because athletic training practice evolves, the BOC updates the practice analysis approximately every five years. This regular update ensures the exam reflects current practice and also meets the requirements of the BOC’s accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. INSIDE THE PA9 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS PA9 is led by a task force of experienced ATs who meet regularly over the course of a year. Their first task is to develop a nationwide survey designed to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for entry-level practice. This survey is then distributed to ATs to complete, providing critical input from the profession. Once survey responses are analyzed, the task force reviews the results and recommends any needed changes to the domains, tasks or knowledge/skill statements in PA9. When the BOC board approves the new practice analysis, its findings will be used to update the BOC exam blueprint—including the weighting of domains—and inform future CE requirements. This careful, collaborative process ensures that certification standards remain current and continue to reflect the evolving demands of the athletic training profession. AT INPUT Be on the lookout for the PA9 survey in Spring 2026. The BOC values your input, and if you receive the survey, we encourage you to complete it. Your feedback is vital to supporting the profession. 4 BOCATC.ORG WINTER 2025 WINTER 2025 BOCATC.ORG 5 All Athletic Trainers (ATs) must meet their certification renewal requirements by Feb. 2, 2026, 5 p.m. CT. This includes paying your 2024 and 2025 annual certification maintenance fees (plus any late fees), reporting continuing education (CE) activities, uploading a current emergency cardiac care (ECC) card/certificate and confirming the required statements in your CE reporting form. By taking action early, you avoid last-minute stress, keep your certification secure and demonstrate professionalism. Follow this streamlined action plan to finish ahead of schedule: LOG INTO YOUR BOC PROFILE AND CHECK THE “MY TO-DO LIST” FOR OUTSTANDING ITEMS • Log into your BOC profile. • Use “Pay (Year) Cert Maintenance Fee” to clear all outstanding fees. • Select “Enter/Submit CE Activity” to access your CE reporting form. Once started, your CE reporting form will stay in a “Pending” status until submitted. • Tasks disappear from the “My To-Do List” once they’re complete. REVIEW “STEP 1: CEU SUMMARY” Your “CEU Summary” shows: • Reporting period dates. • Total CEUs due. • Entered CEUs with real-time updates. • A breakdown of Categories A, B, C and D. DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR CATEGORY A CERTIFICATES Each Category A certificate should include: your name, BOC Approved Provider name, program title, BOC Approved Provider logo, statement of credit, completion date and CEU eligibility. • Missing the logo or statement of credit? Contact the BOC. • Missing your name or course details? Contact the BOC Approved Provider for an updated certificate. USE “A - APPROVED PROVIDER CE” FOR CATEGORY A PROGRAMS FROM BOC APPROVED PROVIDERS The “Quick Entry” tool lets you quickly enter CE programs offered by BOC Approved Providers. • Search by the specific session title (not conference name, if listed individually). • Match certificate details exactly. • Use the last day attended as the completion date. • Report only the CEUs you actually participated in. • Use ‘A - Other Approved CE’ to add other qualifying Category A CE Click “Add” at the top. • Select the correct “Activity Type” and continue UNDERSTAND CATEGORIES B, C AND D Use the “Add” button in each tab to enter programs. • Category B: Professional and scholarly activities • Category C: Post-certification college or university coursework • Category D: Non-BOC Approved Provider programs EDIT OR DELETE WITHIN EACH CATEGORY TAB Need to make a change? Use “Edit” or “Delete” directly within the category tab where the program was entered. All Category A CEUs can be edited or deleted from the A- Other Approved CE tab. RECHECK THE CEU SUMMARY AFTER ENTRY Once all CEUs are entered, revisit “CEU Summary” to verify totals. If your submitted vs. applied numbers differ, check that completion dates fall within the reporting period. KEEP “STEP 2: ECC DOCUMENTATION” CURRENT You must maintain ongoing ECC certification during the reporting period. • Ensure all active ECC cards or certificates are listed. • If “Review” appears next to an entry, it cannot be edited. Add additional cards from this renewal period. Do not edit past cards. COMPLETE “STEP 3: PRACTICE SURVEY” AND “STEP 4: CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS” Finish both steps before heading to the “Submission Checklist” to avoid delays. USE THE “SUBMISSION CHECKLIST” TO FINALIZE AND SUBMIT Review the summary on the “Submission Checklist” tab. • An “X” under Status indicates action needed—see the “Message” column for guidance. • The “Submit” button appears only when all items are complete. ○Form status of “Completed” means your form has been successfully submitted. RAISE THE BAR TODAY Completing your requirements early reflects your professionalism, protects your certification and gives you peace of mind. Don’t wait—log in now, follow these tips, and finish ahead of the Feb. 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT deadline. Complete Your CE Renewal Requirements with Confidence Certification renewal requirements are due Feb. 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT. RAISE THE BAR6 BOCATC.ORG WINTER 2025 RENEWED. RECHARGED. READY. WHY YOU’LL WANT TO TRY PATHFINDER CPC Renewal, supported by the Pathfinder platform, shifts the focus from “counting CEUs” to making CEUs count. It’s designed to be engaging, clinically relevant and adaptable to different practice settings and to you. During the pilot, ATs representing diverse practice settings and experience levels, demonstrated that the Pathfinder platform: • Promotes self-reflection and SMART goal setting • Improves awareness of strengths and knowledge gaps • Provides meaningful, individualized guidance for CE selection • Supports lifelong professional growth Renewal is no longer just about maintaining certification, it’s about elevating practice. With CPC Renewal and the Pathfinder platform, your certification becomes a launchpad for sustained growth and impact. For more information and resources, visit CPC Renewal. THE NEW ERA OF RENEWAL: CPC OVERVIEW As announced in July, the BOC will introduce Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Renewal as a new option for maintaining certification, beginning early in 2026. CPC Renewal is more flexible, individualized and relevant to real-world athletic training practice. It emphasizes reflective, outcome-focused learning, using tools that highlight strengths, identify areas for growth and connect Athletic Trainers (ATs) with targeted educational resources. CPC Renewal requires ATs to earn 40 continuing education units (CEUs) and participate in the Pathfinder platform regularly throughout the renewal period, completing specific criteria, including challenge questions in at least seven of eight scheduled three-month segments throughout the two-year renewal period. LEGACY RENEWAL: A BRIDGE OPTION All ATs will be automatically enrolled in the CPC Renewal option early in 2026. ATs certified before 2026 will have the choice between CPC Renewal and Legacy Renewal, which aligns with the current requirement of 50 CEUs. While the BOC encourages ATs to use CPC Renewal, the Legacy Renewal option will serve as a bridge for those who wish to continue on the traditional path. ATs certified in 2026 and beyond must maintain their certification through CPC Renewal, which serves as their exclusive renewal pathway moving forward. MEET PATHFINDER: BUILT FOR ATS At the center of CPC Renewal is Pathfinder, an interactive, personalized platform designed for all ATs. Pathfinder provides individualized guidance by combining self-reflection, challenge questions, recommended resources and structured reflection. It’s flexible by design because no two ATs are alike. Each one decides where they want to go professionally, and Pathfinder helps them get there with an active and engaging path to professional development. Pathfinder assists ATs in making meaningful continuing education (CE) selections that encourage them to connect with their learning, rather than just collecting CEUs. In 2024, the BOC conducted a large-scale pilot of the Pathfinder platform and more than 3,000 ATs participated. Participants strongly agreed that Pathfinder was effective, with over 90% finding the platform easy to use and valuable in raising awareness of strengths and blind spots. WINTER 2025 BOCATC.ORG 7 Your Guide to CPC Renewal and Pathfinder Pathfinder begins with a SMART Goals Questionnaire, asking ATs to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. This helps them reflect on career objectives, identify focus areas, and to create at least two targeted goals. This step encourages accountability and direction. My Challenge Questions My Goals My Learning Path My Reflection The My Challenge Questions (MCQs) segments are the centerpiece of Pathfinder’s interactive learning. Each segment contains 15 practice-based multiple-choice questions developed by AT subject matter experts, and reflects the current Practice Analysis that simulates real-world decision-making. You’ll mark your answer, whether you are confident or not confident in your answer and check your answer to immediately see whether it was correct, with a detailed rationale provided. If you answered incorrectly, Pathfinder shows both the correct and incorrect rationales, allowing you to compare your thought process with best practices. This immediate feedback ensures you understand not just the correct answer, but why it matters in practice. Based on MCQ performance and goals, Pathfinder generates a timeline with a personalized learning path including curated CE opportunities and goal targets. ATs must add at least two relevant learning activities to their path (these are not required to be completed). The final step includes a reflective survey completed near the end of the renewal period, encouraging ATs to look back on their goals and growth, documenting progress and reinforcing continuous development. SNAPSHOT OF PATHFINDER8 BOCATC.ORG WINTER 2025 The Athletic Trainer (AT) Compact is steadily gaining momentum as organizations across the country work toward making interstate practice a reality for ATs. Designed to improve professional mobility and ensure patients have consistent access to care, the compact provides a pathway for licensed ATs to practice across member states without needing to secure multiple individual state licenses. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AT COMPACT The AT Compact has been in development for over a year through collaboration between the Board of Certification (BOC) and the Council of State Governments (CSG). Modeled after similar health care compacts, it aims to reduce barriers to practice, strengthen workforce flexibility and respond to the needs of military families and other highly mobile populations. Early work focused on drafting legislation, gathering feedback from state regulators and association leaders and ensuring the AT Compact aligned with public protection priorities. With the final model legislation now complete, the compact is moving from concept to execution. INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT On August 28, 2025, the CSG hosted a Legislative Summit at the BOC headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska to present the final compact model legislation and to educate prospective state leaders and legislators about how the compact works in practice. The event marked a significant step forward in advancing the AT Compact from development to implementation. The summit drew approximately 50–55 attendees, with representation from 23 states and Washington, D.C. Participants included state association leaders, regulatory agency representatives, state board members, legislators and representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, CSG, National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the BOC. The agenda was designed to provide a clear overview of the compact and answer the most pressing questions from those tasked with enacting it. Highlights included: • A section-by-section summary of the final model legislation • A panel discussion featuring a compact attorney, a state regulatory executive and NATA governmental affairs leadership • Sessions on state implementation, functionality of compact privileges and the role of a compact commission • Exploration of data-sharing requirements and processes • Multiple opportunities for attendee Q&A MOVES FORWARD Highlights from the Legislative Summit WINTER 2025 BOCATC.ORG 9 WHAT WE LEARNED Discussions at the Summit reinforced several key takeaways about the compact’s future: • Strong support from state association leaders: Many expressed enthusiasm for the compact as a value-added benefit that will expand practice opportunities and make licensure more efficient for ATs. • Familiar challenges remain: Attendees raised feedback previously heard about compact requirements and state-level implementation, underscoring the importance of clear communication and planning. • Ongoing education is essential: Attendees agreed that clinicians, state leaders and regulators need continued resources and training to fully understand how compact privileges work and how to navigate the legislative process. BRIDGING POLICY AND PRACTICE The AT Compact is only as strong as the states that enact it. By bringing together lawmakers, regulators and professional leaders, the Legislative Summit created a collaborative space to ensure consistent understanding and build momentum toward adoption. The event served as a bridge between the finalized model legislation and real-world implementation, equipping legislative leaders with the knowledge and resources they need to advocate for and apply the compact in their states. LOOKING AHEAD With the model legislation complete and education efforts underway, the focus now shifts to state-level action. As more states introduce and pass compact legislation, ATs will be better positioned to provide care across borders, benefiting both the profession and the patients they serve. At least seven states must join the compact before it can be implemented. To stay updated on the compact’s progress and resources available for state leaders, visit the AT Compact website or the BOC website.Next >