Who are athletic trainers?
What is Athletic Training?
Athletic training is a healthcare profession practiced by licensed Athletic Trainers (ATs) who collaborate with physicians to help patients and clients achieve optimal activity and performances.
ATs specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairments, functional limitations, or disabilities.
How to become a Certified Athletic Trainer
To become a Certified Athletic Trainer, individuals must:
Earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited athletic training program
Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam
Complete ongoing continuing education to maintain certification
In Utah, Athletic Trainers are licenses through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Who Athletic Trainers Serve
ATs provide care to a wide range of patients and clients, including:
Recreational, amateur, and professional athletes
Individuals recovering from musculoskeletal injuries
Clients referred by physicians
People seeking strength training, conditioning, and performance enhancement
Where Athletic Trainers Work
Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings, such as:
Athletic training facilities
Schools (K-12, colleges, universities)
Amateur, professional, and Olympic sports venues
Physician offices
Hospitals and clinics
Community centers
Commercial and government workplaces
Athletic Trainers ≠ Personal Trainers
Athletic Trainers are not the same as personal trainers. Athletic Trainers are medically trained clinicians with rigorous education, certification, and licensing processes, working in healthcare environments under physician oversight.
In contrast, Personal Trainers focus on fitness and exercise guidance without standardized regulatory requirements.