BOC Standards of Professional Practice

This is the Board of Certification's binding standard for anyone who holds the ATC credential or has an approved application for the BOC exam. It has two parts: the Practice Standards and the Code of Professional Responsibility, and compliance with both is a condition of certification.

The Practice Standards set out eight duties for certified athletic trainers, covering work under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, prevention, immediate and emergency care, examination and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention with goals and outcome measures, discharge, documentation, and culturally congruent, patient-centered care. A separate set of standards applies to holders of the BOC orthopedic specialty credential (BCS-O).

The Code of Professional Responsibility groups its rules under patient care, competency, professional responsibility, research, social responsibility and business practices. Among other things, it requires athletic trainers to practice within state law and their training, keep up with BOC recertification, report known violations and certain criminal convictions, and cooperate with BOC investigations; the BOC may discipline or revoke certification for breaches.