How Long Does It Take to Become an Athletic Trainer?
Becoming an athletic trainer is such a rewarding and honorable career to engage in for people who love sports, health, and helping others stay active. Athletic trainers are people who help athletes prevent injuries, nurture them during an injury, and help them get back on their feet after an injury.
Are you looking to become a trainer and wondering how long that will take? Then this article is for you. In this article, we will break down the steps to becoming an athletic trainer, explain the education and skills required, and provide an estimate of how long it takes to reach this goal.
Let’s get rolling, shall we?
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Before we dive into the time commitment, let’s first understand what an athletic trainer does. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries, particularly those related to sports and physical activities. They work closely with athletes to ensure they are in top physical condition, and they help them recover from injuries safely.
Athletic trainers may work in different settings, such as schools, colleges, professional sports teams, clinics, or hospitals. They are often the first responders when an athlete gets injured, and they play a key role in the athlete’s recovery process.
Steps to Becoming an Athletic Trainer
If you are looking to become an athletic trainer, the following are the steps you need to fulfill:
1. Earn a High School Diploma (4 years)
The journey to becoming an athletic trainer begins in high school. While you don’t need any specific classes to become an athletic trainer, it’s a good idea to focus on subjects like biology, health, and physical education. These subjects will give you a strong foundation for the next steps.
High school is also a great time to get involved in sports. If you play on a team or volunteer with the school’s sports department, you can gain experience and understand what athletes go through, which can be helpful later on.
2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
After high school, the next step is to go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree. You will need to choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). This means the program has met the standards required to prepare students to become certified athletic trainers.
Most students choose majors related to sports medicine, kinesiology, or athletic training. These programs cover important topics like anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and injury prevention. You will also take classes that teach you how to evaluate injuries and develop treatment plans.
Many athletic training programs include hands-on experience. This means you will spend time working with real athletes under the supervision of a licensed athletic trainer. This practical experience is very important for developing your skills.
3. Complete Clinical Experience (During Bachelor’s Degree)
While you are working toward your bachelor’s degree, you will also need to complete clinical experience. This is part of your education and involves working with athletes and sports teams to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom.
During clinical experience, you will observe how athletic trainers work and eventually take on responsibilities like evaluating injuries, taping joints, and helping athletes with rehabilitation exercises. Clinical experience is typically part of your college program, and it’s necessary to gain the hands-on skills needed to succeed in this field.
4. Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam
After completing your bachelor’s degree and gaining clinical experience, the next step is to pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. This exam is required to become a certified athletic trainer in the United States. It tests your knowledge in several areas, including injury prevention, emergency care, treatment, and rehabilitation.
The exam is challenging, and you will need to prepare by studying the material you learned in college. Passing the BOC exam is an important milestone because it officially certifies you as an athletic trainer.
5. Obtain a State License (Varies by State)
After passing the BOC exam, you will need to obtain a license to practice as an athletic trainer. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so the process may vary depending on where you plan to work. Some states require additional exams or continuing education.
To find out what is required in your state, you can contact the state’s licensing board for athletic trainers. This step is necessary because you can’t legally work as an athletic trainer without a license.
6. Get a Master’s Degree (Optional, 2 years)
While a bachelor’s degree is currently the minimum requirement to become an athletic trainer, many people choose to pursue a master’s degree to advance their careers. However, this is not compulsory and not a requirement to become an athletic trainer. But a master’s degree can provide you with specialized knowledge and skills, making you more competitive in the job market.
Some athletic trainers also pursue advanced degrees in related fields like physical therapy or sports medicine. While not required, a master’s degree can open up more job opportunities and increase your earning potential.
How Long Does It Take in Total?
Let’s add up the time it takes to become an athletic trainer based on the steps we’ve discussed:
- High school diploma – 4 years
- Bachelor’s degree – 4 years
- Preparing for and passing the BOC exam – 3 to 6 months
- State licensing – 1 to 3 months
So, in total, it generally takes around 8 to 9 years to become an athletic trainer, starting from high school graduation. If you decide to pursue a master’s degree, this will add an additional 2 years, bringing the total time to 10 to 11 years.
Skills Needed to Be an Athletic Trainer
Aside from education and certifications, athletic trainers need to have certain skills to succeed in their careers. Here are some of the key skills you’ll need:
- Communication – Communication is an essential skill an athletic trainer needs to have. You need to be able to explain health conditions or treatments to athletes, coaches, anyone in close contact with your athlete.
- Problem-solving – When an athlete gets injured, it’s up to the athletic trainer to assess the situation and develop a plan to help them recover. This requires good problem-solving skills and the ability to think quickly.
- Physical stamina – Athletic trainers often spend long hours on their feet, and they may need to move quickly to respond to emergencies. It’s important to have the physical stamina to keep up with the demands of the job.
- Compassion – Injured athletes can be frustrated, upset, or in pain. Athletic trainers need to be compassionate and patient to help athletes get through difficult times and recover fully.
Where Do Athletic Trainers Work?
Athletic trainers can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Schools and colleges: Many athletic trainers work with student-athletes, helping them stay in shape and recover from injuries.
- Professional sports teams: Athletic trainers are often a key part of professional sports teams, working with elite athletes to keep them in top condition.
- Clinics and hospitals: Some athletic trainers work in rehabilitation centers or hospitals, helping patients recover from injuries or surgeries.
- Fitness centers: Athletic trainers may also work in gyms or fitness centers, helping people maintain healthy lifestyles and prevent injuries during exercise.
To Wrap it Up
Becoming an athletic trainer takes time, dedication, and hard work. It’s a career that requires a solid education, hands-on experience, and a passion for helping athletes stay healthy. While the path to becoming an athletic trainer can take around 8 to 9 years based on our calculation, it’s a rewarding career for people who have passion for sport but don’t want to be athletes.
8 to 9 years (most times, lesser), can seem like a pretty long time, but you will be done before you know it, especially if you start now.
Speaking about starting now, we can connect you with experienced athletic trainers who can coach you with hands-on experience on Sportconn.
Sportconn is a sports social platform that connects athletes and intending sports professionals like you in order to achieve your individual goals. Every intending athletic trainer is signing up fast, don’t be left behind. Get started here.