Credential · Certification

Athletic Training BOC

AT48 citations · 3 lenses

22% injury reduction with AT presence. 50% reduction in school injury costs. 92% diagnostic accuracy. NATA consensus: AT reduces catastrophic injury risk.

Scores · default weights
Clinical
62/100
Business
54/100
Academic Clinical
66/100

Each lens uses its own dimensions and default weights. Scores answer different questions across paths — they aren’t apples-to-apples. How scoring works →

Clinical breakdown
Clinical outcomes×35%
70/100

22% injury reduction is a meaningful population-level effect. Secondary injury prevention (return-to-play decisions) well-documented.

Caseload applicability×15%
85/100

Core credential for athletic training; applicable to entire AT scope of practice across all settings.

Billing & reimbursement×15%
52/100

BOC required for AT licensure in most states; enables direct billing where AT services are recognized by state Medicaid and commercial.

Certification investment×20%
22/100

Bachelor's/master's degree program (4+ years) plus extensive clinical hours; major educational investment.

Employer demand×10%
88/100

Required by law or employer in most AT positions; universally demanded for athletic training roles.

Patient experience×5%
72/100

Athlete trust in AT relationship is high; immediate access improves experience vs delayed care.

Business breakdown
Cash-pay viability×25%
60/100

Sports performance, tactical, and event-coverage consumers pay cash; strong fit for sports-focused practices.

Pricing leverage×20%
50/100

Moderate — ATC alone doesn't command premiums, but combined with PT enables sports niche pricing.

Market differentiation×15%
55/100

Dual-credentialed PT/ATC is genuinely differentiated in sports markets.

Owner leverage×15%
65/100

Can hire ATCs at lower cost than PTs to deliver event/sports services — strong leverage.

Consumer demand×15%
55/100

Athletes and teams recognize ATCs; consumer-facing brand is solid in sports.

Credential investment×10%
30/100

Full degree program — extremely high time/cost to acquire as a second credential.

Academic Clinical breakdown
Faculty recognition×25%
70/100

Required credential for AT program faculty; in PT programs, valued for sports tracks.

Scholarship signal×20%
70/100

NATA Foundation funds research; strong publication culture in JAT.

Teaching value×15%
75/100

Excellent for sports PT, emergency response, and on-field assessment teaching.

Evidence depth×20%
70/100

Solid evidence base across acute injury management, concussion, and return-to-play.

Faculty demand×10%
65/100

Standard for AT programs; preferred in sports-residency-affiliated PT programs.

Credential investment×10%
25/100

Requires a full master's now — very inefficient if pursued purely for academic credit.

Evidence base · 48 sources
  1. 01
    The reliability of a two-plane qualitative assessment tool for a single leg HOP task amongst multidisciplanary sports medicine practitioners
    L. Butler; A. Erdman; A. Martinez; D. Sugimoto; J. Janosky; S. Ulman · Physical Therapy in Sport2025
    Qualitativedoi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.02.001
  2. 02
    Alternative Allied Health Care Providers: Athletic Trainers Educating Stakeholders to Improve HPV-Related Infections
    J. Ceasar; E. M. Frank; R. Hall; C. Hartert; C. Onks · J Prim Care Community Health2025
    Otherdoi:10.1177/21501319251351080
  3. 03
    Working With and Through Athletic Trainers to Meet Student-Athletes' Mental Performance and Mental Health Needs
    M. Eckenrod; M. K. Kossman · J Athl Train2025
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0132.24
  4. 04
    Predictors of Third-Party Tested Nutritional Supplementation Use Among DI and DIII Student-Athletes at A Northeast University
    M. Gimbar; H. Samavat; K. P. Hamilton; J. Ziegler; F. Wardenaar; C. Esopenko; L. Byham-Gray · J Diet Suppl2025
    Otherdoi:10.1080/19390211.2024.2449023
  5. 05
    How Well Do Athletic Trainers Recognize and Evaluate the Female Athlete Triad? A Survey of Athletic Trainers in the Practicing United States
    D. Hou; L. C. M. Ndjonko; E. DeHeer; J. L. Scheid; V. K. Tjong · J Womens Health (Larchmt)2025
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1089/jwh.2024.0910
  6. 06
    Exercise Professionals' Strength Training Attitudes, Behaviors, and Knowledge: A Survey
    C. H. McCall; K. Handlery; M. S. Stock; R. Handlery · J Strength Cond Res2025
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000005248
  7. 07
    Utilization of Interval Throwing Programs: Analysis of Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist, and Physician Perspectives
    A. Sciascia; W. Jeffrey Grantham; A. Stone; C. Tremble; T. Uhl; C. Camp; W. Ben Kibler · J Sport Rehabil2025
    Otherdoi:10.1123/jsr.2024-0171
  8. 08
    Musculoskeletal Care Within the Holistic Health and Fitness Team: A 12-month Retrospective Review
    E. Szymanek; M. Jones; R. Clark; M. Robertson; B. Hatler; D. Goss · Mil Med2025
    Otherdoi:10.1093/milmed/usaf042
  9. 09
    Concerns beyond ankle symptoms predominate healthcare professionals' views of patients with ankle osteoarthritis: A qualitative study
    S. A. Alanazi; B. Vicenzino; M. D. Smith · Musculoskelet Sci Pract2024
    Qualitativedoi:10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102946
  10. 10
    Acute Sport-Related Concussion Management and Return to Sport Time in High School Athletes
    A. C. Bretzin; A. J. Zynda; A. M. Pollard-McGrandy; D. J. Wiebe; T. Covassin · Am J Sports Med2024
    Otherdoi:10.1177/03635465231219263
  11. 11
    Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Implementing Psychological Strategies for Patient Management: A Systematic Review
    C. Brinkman; E. Reiche; S. Baez · J Athl Train2024
    Systematic reviewdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0705.23
  12. 12
    Student Debt Associated With Entry-Level Athletic Training Education
    G. Del Rossi; B. Hatzel · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2024
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0044.24
  13. 13
    Psychosocial Factors Associated With Lower Extremity Reinjury Risk in Soccer Players: Contribution of Self-Confidence and Reinjury Anxiety
    A. Naderi; M. Rahimi; S. Y. Zarghami; U. Tranaeus; L. Calmeiro · J Athl Train2024
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0434.23
  14. 14
    Sex Differences in Resource Allocation and Access to Care After Sport-Related Concussion
    O. L. Prosak; K. S. Hajdu; A. Amedy; T. J. Anesi; K. Williams; J. Jo; D. P. Terry; S. L. Zuckerman · J Athl Train2024
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0280.23
  15. 15
    Exertional Heat Illness: Adoption of Policies and Influencing Contextual Factors as Reported by Athletic Administrators
    S. E. Scarneo-Miller; W. M. Adams; K. A. Coleman; R. M. Lopez · Sports Health2024
    Otherdoi:10.1177/19417381231155107
  16. 16
    The 11+ injury prevention programme decreases rate of hamstring strain injuries in male collegiate soccer players
    H. Silvers-Granelli; R. Silverman; M. Bizzini; K. Thorborg; R. H. Brophy · Br J Sports Med2024
    Otherdoi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-107323
  17. 17
    Primary Prevention and Motivational Interviewing: Patterns in Athletic Training
    M. C. West; J. P. Young; M. J. Rivera; K. E. Games · Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice2024
    OtherPMID 181078422
  18. 18
    Collaborative Mental Health Care in Collegiate Athletics: Behavioral Health Providers' Perceived Role of the Athletic Trainer
    M. J. Drescher; G. Mills; Z. K. Winkelmann; K. E. Games · J Athl Train2023
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0530.22
  19. 19
    Clinical Practice Patterns of Interprofessional Collaboration: Considerations for Athletic Training Education
    D. A. Hankemeier; S. A. Manspeaker; S. D. Feld; J. L. Kirby · Athletic Training Education Journal (Allen Press Publishing Services Inc.)2023
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1947-380X-23-004
  20. 20
    Injuries and Referral Patterns During Basic Combat Training: An Examination of Data From the Certified Athletic Trainer-Forward Program
    R. M. Hirschhorn; S. W. Yeargin; J. M. Mensch; T. P. Dompier · Mil Med2023
    Otherdoi:10.1093/milmed/usab156
  21. 21
    Athletic Trainers Value the Intrinsic Rewards of Specialty Certifications More than Barriers and Extrinsic Rewards
    M. B. Hudson; E. M. Frank; T. Harper; L. Comer; K. LaMont · Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice2023
    OtherPMID 163576846
  22. 22
    Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Ohio Physical and Occupational Therapists
    Z. Pullar; C. Bertke; K. Richard; K. Tafelski; A. Hassen-Miller · Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice2023
    OtherPMID 175271044
  23. 23
    Knowledge and Perceptions of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Baseball Players: A Survey of NCAA Head Baseball Coaches
    M. F. Beaudry; A. G. Beaudry; B. C. Benzinger; B. D. Gilliam; D. E. Haynes · Orthop J Sports Med2022
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1177/23259671221141442
  24. 24
    Athletic Trainer-Reported Prevalence of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Barriers to Health in Secondary Schools
    J. Beaupre; S. W. Meske; M. Buckley · J Athl Train2022
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0359.19
  25. 25
    The Influence of the Motivational Climate on Rehabilitation Behaviors and Patient Satisfaction
    R. E. Brinkman-Majewski; W. M. Weiss · J Sport Rehabil2022
    Otherdoi:10.1123/jsr.2021-0369
  26. 26
    Burnout in and Commission of Medical Errors by Secondary School Athletic Trainers
    L. W. Oglesby; A. R. Gallucci; A. K. Porter; A. P. Vineyard · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2022
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-630-20
  27. 27
    Secondary School Socioeconomic Status and Athletic Training Practice Characteristics
    H. J. Robison; J. E. Simon; E. J. Nelson; S. N. Morris; E. B. Wasserman; C. L. Docherty · J Athl Train2022
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0726.20
  28. 28
    Psychological Ownership in Athletic Training
    J. P. Young; K. E. Games; M. J. Rivera; L. E. Eberman · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2022
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0638.20
  29. 29
    Composite functional movement screen score predicts injuries in youth volleyball players: a prospective cohort study
    M. Zarei; S. Soltanirad; A. Kazemi; B. J. Hoogenboom; M. Hosseinzadeh · Sci Rep2022
    Cohort studydoi:10.1038/s41598-022-24508-8
  30. 30
    Roles And Responsibilities Of The Physical Therapist In Collegiate Athletics: Results Of A National Survey
    M. Zarro; O. Silverson; W. Soenksen; J. Thein-Nissenbaum; E. Cataldo Cirone; R. Rowland; J. Staker · Int J Sports Phys Ther2022
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.26603/001c.38015
  31. 31
    Prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes: Are certified athletic trainers an untapped resource?
    K. T. Bogale; T. K. Oser; A. Zettlemoyer; J. Parascando; M. L. Silvis · Endocrinol Diabetes Metab2021
    Otherdoi:10.1002/edm2.188
  32. 32
    Players' perspectives on successfully returning to professional baseball after medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
    C. L. Camp; A. R. Jensen; D. P. Leland; N. Flynn; J. Lahti; S. Conte · J Shoulder Elbow Surg2021
    Otherdoi:10.1016/j.jse.2020.08.041
  33. 33
    Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States
    S. W. Cheatham; R. T. Baker; T. E. Abdenour · International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2021
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.26603/001c.22136
  34. 34
    Certified Athletic Trainers' Use of Cervical Clinical Testing in the Diagnosis and Management of Sports-Related Concussion
    K. Cheever; M. Kay · Journal of Sport Rehabilitation2021
    Otherdoi:10.1123/jsr.2020-0394
  35. 35
    Athletic Trainers' Exposure to Telemedicine Influences Perspectives and Intention to Use
    S. A. Connell; Z. K. Winkelmann; K. E. Games · Athletic Training & Sports Health Care: The Journal for the Practicing Clinician2021
    Otherdoi:10.3928/19425864-20200915-03
  36. 36
    Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Treating and Managing Patients With Ankle Sprains
    R. O. Corbett; P. C. Harris; L. Vela; S. A. Saliba; J. Hertel · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2021
    Otherdoi:10.4085/325-20
  37. 37
    Outcomes of Embedded Athletic Training Services Within United States Air Force Basic Military Training
    R. Fisher; S. Esparza; N. S. Nye; R. Gottfredson; M. T. Pawlak; T. L. Cropper; T. Casey; J. Tchandja; S. J. de la Motte; B. J. Webber · J Athl Train2021
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0498.19
  38. 38
    Decreased Sleep and Subjective Well-Being as Independent Predictors of Injury in Female Collegiate Volleyball Players
    K. Haraldsdottir; J. Sanfilippo; L. McKay; A. M. Watson · Orthop J Sports Med2021
    Otherdoi:10.1177/23259671211029285
  39. 39
    Emergency Action Planning in School-Based Athletics: A Systematic Review
    R. Hedberg; W. Messamore; T. Poppe; A. Tarakemeh; R. Burkholder; T. Carter; B. Vopat; J. P. Darche · Kans J Med2021
    Systematic reviewdoi:10.17161/kjm.vol14.15299
  40. 40
    Cost and Treatment Characteristics of Sport-Related Knee Injuries Managed by Athletic Trainers: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network
    K. C. Lam; A. N. Marshall; C. E. Welch Bacon; T. C. Valovich McLeod · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2021
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0061.20
  41. 41
    College Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Rest and Physical Activity When Managing Athletes With a Sport-Related Concussion
    K. M. Petit; T. Covassin · Journal of Sport Rehabilitation2021
    Otherdoi:10.1123/jsr.2019-0084
  42. 42
    Collegiate Student-Athletes' Perceptions of Patient-Centered Care Delivered by Athletic Trainers
    A. S. Redinger; Z. K. Winkelmann; L. E. Eberman · J Athl Train2021
    Otherdoi:10.4085/130-20
  43. 43
    Perceived Management of Acute Sports Injuries and Medical Conditions by Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists
    A. Wallace; M. S. Briggs; J. Onate; J. DeWitt; L. Rinehart-Thompson · Int J Sports Phys Ther2021
    Otherdoi:10.26603/001c.29850
  44. 44
    A Qualitative Analysis of Concussion-Reporting Behavior in Collegiate Student-Athletes With a History of Sport-Related Concussion
    M. L. Weber Rawlins; C. E. Welch Bacon; P. Tomporowski; J. L. Gay; L. Bierema; J. D. Schmidt · J Athl Train2021
    Qualitativedoi:10.4085/1062-6050-0392-19
  45. 45
    Applying the Sport Commitment Model to Sport Injury Rehabilitation
    W. M. Weiss · Journal of Sport Rehabilitation2021
    Otherdoi:10.1123/jsr.2019-0427
  46. 46
    Practice Patterns of Athletic Trainers Regarding the On-Site Management of Patients With Joint Dislocations
    C. J. Wright; M. T. Diede · Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press)2021
    Otherdoi:10.4085/1062-6050-364-20
  47. 47
    Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Cohort of Division I NCAA Athletes From a Single Institution
    B. Zampogna; S. Vasta; G. Torre; A. Gupta; C. M. Hettrich; M. J. Bollier; B. R. Wolf; A. Amendola · Orthop J Sports Med2021
    Cohort studydoi:10.1177/2325967120982281
  48. 48
    College Warrior Athlete Initiative and academic nursing
    A. W. Burgess; P. Thabault; L. Kiernan; E. Flaherty; K. Leestma · J Am Coll Health2020
    Otherdoi:10.1080/07448481.2019.1621319
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