PROFILE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Definition of athletic training
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians. The services provided by ATs comprise prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
Athletic trainers are well-known, recognized, qualified health care professionals
ATs are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals, and are under the allied health professions category as defined by Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Athletic trainers are assigned National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, and the taxonomy code for athletic trainers is 2255A2300X. Athletic trainers are listed in the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the "professional and related occupations" section. They are mid-level health care professionals.
State regulation of athletic trainers
- Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 49 states, and the District of Columbia; efforts continue to add licensure in and California.
- NATA has ongoing efforts to update obsolete state practice acts that do not reflect current qualifications and practice of ATs under health care reform.
- Athletic trainers practice under the direction of physicians.
- ATs work under different job titles (wellness/occupational health manager, physician extender, rehab specialist, etc.).
- Athletic trainers relieve widespread and future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab professions.
- Academic curriculum and clinical training follow the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master's program; 70 percent of ATs have a master's degree.
- Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia require ATs to hold the Board of Certification credential of "Athletic Trainer, Certified" (ATC).
