The Board of Certification (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 ATs. The BOC works with state regulatory agencies to provide credential information, professional conduct guidelines and regulatory standards on certification issues. The BOC also has the only entry-level accredited certification program for ATs in the United States and has an International Arrangement with Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI), British Association of Sport Rehabilitators (BASRaT) and Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA).
The Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics (BCS‑O) credential is available to ATs who have acquired specialized education and focused experience in orthopedics beyond the requirements for the ATC® credential. It is the first and only board-certified specialty for ATs who specialize in orthopedics and it is backed by the BOC’s rigorous process and standards.