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Athletic Trainer
Total cost: $575
Governing Authority
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Athletic Trainers
Official website →(502) 564-3296
Yes
License Required
Yes
BOC Required
No
Compact Member
Allowed
Dry Needling
50 hrs
CE Hours
$575
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
50 hours
Per 2 years renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years
State license renewal
Required CE Topics
6 topic areas
Evidence-based practice, Prevention and health promotion, Clinical evaluation and diagnosis, +3 more
Renewal Fee
$100
State license renewal
BOC Certification Maintenance
50 CEUs / 2 years
Required for all BOC-certified ATs
Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Master's degree in Athletic Training
CAATE Accreditation
Required
Program Length
2 years (master's program)
Clinical Hours
1000 hrs
Prerequisite Education
Bachelor's degree (any field accepted for entry into CAATE master's program)
Athletic trainers must earn a master's degree from a CAATE-accredited (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education) program. Programs include extensive clinical education in injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation.
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedBOC Exam Required
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer
Format
Computer-based; 175 questions (some unscored); 4 hours; alternative item types (drag-and-drop, multi-select, hot spot). Passing score: scaled score of 500. Practice Analysis: 8th Edition, effective March/April 2023.
BOC Fee
$375
Exam fee paid directly to BOC (Board of Certification, Inc. — bocatc.org); application fee is $100 ($75 for NATA members)
Jurisprudence Exam
Required
State Exam
Not Required
Retake Policy
3 attempts within 3-year eligibility window from program graduation date
The BOC (Board of Certification) exam is the standard certification exam for athletic trainers. It is a computer-based exam with multiple-choice and alternative item formats. Most states require passing the BOC exam as a prerequisite for licensure.
Overall licensing difficulty: 32/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Athletic Training Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
BOC (Board of Certification) Athletic Trainer Exam
Format
Computer-based; 175 questions (some unscored); 4 hours; alternative item types (drag-and-drop, multi-select, hot spot). Passing score: scaled score of 500. Practice Analysis: 8th Edition, effective March/April 2023.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the BOC (Board of Certification) Athletic Trainer Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — BOC Athletic Trainer Exam
Prepare for your BOC Athletic Trainer Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
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Study guides and practice tests for the BOC certification exam.
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Athletic Trainer Compact Membership
VerifiedNot a Compact Member
Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact
Compact Privileges
Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact: Model legislation finalized in 2025. Several states have enacted compact legislation but the compact has not yet reached full operational status as of March 2026. Check athletictrainercompact.com for current status.
The Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact (AT Compact) allows licensed athletic trainers to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. This is particularly beneficial for athletic trainers who travel with sports teams across state lines.
Permitted Services & Activities
VerifiedYes
Emergency Care
Yes
Injury Evaluation
Yes
Therapeutic Intervention
Yes
Rehabilitation
Yes
Dry Needling
Yes
Physician Direction Required
Practice Settings
Restricted Activities
Athletic trainers provide emergency care, injury evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation services. Dry needling privileges and physician direction requirements vary by state. Practice settings range from secondary schools and colleges to professional sports and clinics.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
BOC Fee Exam fee paid directly to Board of Certification (BOC); does not include $100 application fee | $375 |
License Fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Includes BOC exam fee, BOC application fee, and state application/license fees | $575 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
50 hrs
CE Hours Required
BOC requires 50 CEUs per 2-year reporting period for maintenance of certification
BOC CE Requirements
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
Regulatory Board
Athletic trainer licenses must be renewed on schedule. In addition to state CE requirements, athletic trainers must maintain their BOC certification, which has its own continuing education requirements. Topics typically include evidence-based practice, emergency care, and professional responsibility.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
AT Compact
Non-Member
Endorsement Available
Yes
Reciprocity Requirements
The AT Compact allows licensed athletic trainers to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. This is particularly valuable for athletic trainers who travel with sports teams. Non-compact states require license by endorsement.
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Kentucky Dry needling is permitted: Permitted with 54 classroom hours of BOC-approved training including clinical application; ordered by supervising physician; must be in designated room/facility (not gymnasium, locker room, or sideline); requires a jurisprudence examination.
Kentucky requires licensure for athletic trainers.
BOC certification is required for all athletic trainers in Kentucky.
The Athletic Trainer Compact is not yet operational; no states have formally enacted membership as of March 2026.
Dry needling is permitted for athletic trainers in Kentucky with additional training requirements.
Physician direction is required for athletic training practice in Kentucky.
50 continuing education hours are required per 2 years renewal cycle.
Athletic Trainer requirements in nearby states
See how Kentucky compares: Athletic Trainer License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Transfer your Athletic Trainer license from Kentucky to: Illinois → | Indiana → | Missouri → | Ohio → | Tennessee → | Virginia → | West Virginia →
Kentucky requires passing the BOC exam for athletic trainer licensure. All licensing is managed through the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Athletic Trainers.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.