Education · 1 of 5
The path
A master's degree is now the entry point. The bachelor's route to this job has closed.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Biology, anatomy if offered, and get yourself into the training room as a student aide for your school's teams.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Exercise science, kinesiology, biology or anything with strong anatomy and physiology. Keep your grades up, because accredited master's programs are competitive.
- 3
Accredited master's degree
2 years
A professional program accredited by CAATE (the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education). Classroom work plus supervised clinical rotations with real teams and patients.
- 4
Pass the certification exam
Final semester
The Board of Certification exam. Your program director has to confirm you before you can sit it.
- 5
Get your state license
Weeks
Apply to the state board where you will work (every state except California has one). Then keep your certification alive with continuing education every two years.