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. Then keep your certification alive with continuing education every two years.