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Certification Renewal Handbook For Certified Athletic Trainers RENEWAL PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31, 2028 CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 2 Table of Contents RENEW YOUR CERTIFICATION 3 CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) REQUIREMENTS 4 4 Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Renewal 4 Legacy Renewal 4 Complete CE Requirements 5 Remediation 7 Request an Extension 7 CE CATEGORIES 8 16 Category A 9 Category B 10 Category C 11 Category D 12 EMERGENCY CARDIAC CARE (ECC) 13 ANNUAL RENEWAL FEE 14 STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 15 REPORTING 16 How To Report CE and ECC 16 FAILURE TO RENEW CERTIFICATION 17 Reactivation 17 Reinstatement 17 Audit 17 Contact Information 17 CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 3 Renew Your Certification Compliance with Continuing Professional Certification (CPC) Renewal or Legacy Renewal, emergency cardiac care (ECC), annual renewal fees and “BOC Standards of Professional Practice” is required to renew Athletic Trainer (AT) certification. CPC Renewal and Legacy Renewal promote continued competence and contain familiar requirements. CPC Renewal goes a step further by using Pathfinder to engage ATs with their life-long learning to create a more meaningful professional development experience. Requirement Year 1 Due Feb. 1, 2027 by 5 p.m. CT Year 2 Due Jan. 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT Complete Continuing Professional Certification Renewal or Legacy Renewal Requirements Due Jan. 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT Upload or confirm current Emergency Cardiac Care certification card/certificate REQUIREDREQUIRED Pay Annual Renewal Fee REQUIRED (waived if certified in 2026) REQUIRED Attest to compliance with BOC Standards of Professional Practice REQUIREDREQUIRED If above requirements not met by deadline: *Late fees may be assessed for each year requirements are late (e.g. $20 if late in 2026 and $20 if late in 2027 = $40 in late fees) Certification remains active. AT must submit missing requirements and pay a $20 late fee by Jan. 31, 2028 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. 29, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT. CPC Renewal CPC Renewal is an ongoing, individualized process developed by and for ATs that ensures athletic trainers remain competent, up-to-date, and accountable for their professional growth. Implemented through the Pathfinder platform, CPC empowers ATs to take ownership of their longitudinal learning by setting goals, reflecting on practice, and selecting continuing education activities that best advance their growth across diverse practice settings. CPC Renewal accomplishes the following: 1. Meets ATs where they are, ensuring relevance across different practice settings 2. Provides ATs with choices and flexibility in professional development 3. Improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning process Pathfinder is an interactive professional development platform/tool that helps ATs map out their growth. It provides a personalized dashboard where ATs set goals, challenge themselves with evidence-based questions in segments throughout the renewal period, and explore recommended learning opportunities. Pathfinder makes professional development interactive, more engaging, timesaving and aligned with each AT’s goals. Legacy Renewal Legacy Renewal, the traditional method, requires ATs to complete a specified number of CEUs. CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 4 Athletic TrainerCPC Renewal Certified Prior to 2026Optional Certified in 2026Required Certified Prior to 2026 ATs certified prior to 2026 and who remain in CPC are able to miss one 3-month segment if needed. Due to the longitudinal learning concept, failure to complete two segments will result in defaulting to the Legacy Renewal Path. ATs who miss two or more segments will not be awarded CEUs for the time spent in Pathfinder and will be required to complete their certification renewal under the Legacy Renewal requirements. CEUs completed towards completion of the CPC requirements may be transferred to the Legacy Requirements. ATs who successfully complete Pathfinder will receive proof of completion. Certified 2026 or After ATs certified in 2026 and later can not opt out of the CPC Renewal, failure to complete the required number of segments will result in remediation and potentially require reactivation and/or reinstatement. Certified Prior to 2026 - CPC Renewal Requirements Pathfinder Completion 9 My Goals - ATs must create 2 goals within the renewal period. 9 My Challenge Questions - ATs must answer 15 questions per 3-month segment (7 of 8 segments are required). 9 My Learning Path - ATs must add at least 2 CE activities onto their learning path. Completion and/or purchase of these activities is not required. 9 My Reflection - ATs must complete reflection questions by the last period of the renewal period. 40 CEUs Due 9 Minimum of 10 CEUs from Category A 9 30 CEUs can be from any approved learning activity (Category A-D) 9 Alternative Learning Activities are optional CE Requirements Certified Prior to 2026 - Legacy Renewal Requirements 50 CEUs Due 9 Minimum of 10 CEUs from Category A 9 40 CEUs can be from any approved learning activity (Category A-D) 9 Alternative Learning Activities are optional CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION (CPC) RENEWAL LEGACY RENEWAL Athletic TrainerLegacy Renewal Certified Prior to 2026Available Certified 2026Not Available ATs who do not meet the Legacy Renewal requirements by the renewal deadline should see reactivation and reinstatement policy. Certified in 2026 - CPC Renewal Requirements Pathfinder Completion 9 My Goals - ATs must create 1 goal within the renewal period. 9 My Challenge Questions - ATs must answer 15 questions per 3-month segment (3 of the 4 segments are required). 9 My Learning Path - ATs must add at least 1 CE activity onto their learning path. Completion and/or purchase of this activity is not required. 9 My Reflection - ATs must complete reflection questions by the last period of the renewal period. 20 CEUs Due 9 Minimum of 5 CEUs from Category A 9 15 CEUs can be from any approved learning activity (Category A-D) 9 Alternative Learning Activities are optional CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 5 CE Requirements COMPLETE CE REQUIREMENTS Continuing Competence According to National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), continuing competence is defined as “demonstrating specified levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities throughout an individual’s professional career. Related to certification renewal, 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 renewal 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 CPC - Number of CEUs Legacy - Number of CEUs Period BeginsPeriod Ends Certified prior to 2026 40 CEUs + Pathfinder 50 CEUs Feb. 3, 2026 (Jan. 1, 2026 if 2024-25 renewal is complete) Jan. 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT Certified in 2026 20 CEUs + Pathfinder Date Certified Jan 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT Certified in 2027 40 CEUs + Pathfinder Date Certified Jan. 31, 2030 by 5 p.m. CT Current and Upcoming Renewal PeriodsRenewal Period Timing Jan. 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2028 Current Feb. 1, 2028 – Jan. 31, 2030 Upcoming 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. Please note: ATs can accumulate CEUs during January 2026 to either complete the 2024-2025 renewal period or current renewal period. CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 6 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 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 or prior the beginning of a renewal period. 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. 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. www.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC3116346/. CE Requirements CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 7 CE Requirements REMEDIATION ATs certified in 2026 or later who fail to remain current with CPC Renewal requirements (falling behind two or more segments) will be required to complete remediation before January 31, 2028. Remediation includes: completion of all four MCQ segments in addition to any other incomplete CPC Renewal requirements, a mandatory CE audit after the renewal period, and be subject to disciplinary action by the BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Committee. Failure to meet remediation requirements within the specified timeframe will result in the need to comply with reactivation and/or reinstatement policy and procedures. REQUEST AN EXTENSION If you are unable to meet the deadline due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. military deployment, medical condition, etc.), you may submit a written request for a deadline extension. The request must include an explanation of your extenuating circumstance and supporting documentation (e.g., military orders, medical documentation, etc.). Send requests to CE@bocatc.org. Requests must be received no later than Jan. 31, 2028 by 5 p.m. CT. All requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 8 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. 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. CE Categories CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS BOCATC.ORG 9 CE Categories 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 20 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 credit CPC Renewal Minimum10 CEUs if 40 CEUs Due; 5 CEUs if 20 CEUs Due MaximumNone Legacy Renewal Minimum10 CEUs if 50 CEUs Due MaximumNone • Programs in this category are offered through BOC Approved Providers. The provider is responsible for confirming whether their program qualify for Category A. Not all courses offered by BOC Approved Providers are eligible for Category A CEUs. (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 2025 and complete residency in June 2026, 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 and assistant 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. CATEGORY A - BOC APPROVED PROVIDER PROGRAMS - LEVEL INext >