Specialty Certifications and Their Place Within the Practice of Athletic Training

Abstract

Context Athletic training has evolved dramatically in the last decade. Professional education has changed to the graduate level. Advanced training has manifested itself in doctoral and residency programs. Clinical practice settings have also evolved along with the knowledge and skills required to care for the diverse patients in these settings. Athletic training specialties are accompanying these changes, and now athletic training has specialty certifications to formally validate a specialty and recognize the athletic trainer (AT) specialist. Objective This article conveys key information about credentialing, highlights historical events in the development of AT specialty certifications, and examines the concept of general practice. The purpose of conveying this information is to better understand and explore specialties and certifications in athletic training, which requires also conceptualizing athletic training as a general practice. Background One of the earliest documents mentioning specialty certifications within athletic training was published in 1997. In 2018, the Board of Certification formed the Specialty Council to validate athletic training specialties and oversee specialty certifications. Synthesis Earning a specialty certification is a rigorous process requiring the credentialed AT to gain, as well as maintain, postprofessional education and experience in a focused practice area. This education and training can come from an accredited residency program but also from on-the-job training and professional development. Results Practitioners of a validated athletic training specialty can become board-certified specialists with advanced clinical experience or after completing postprofessional education and training and passing the respective specialty certification examination. Recommendations We recommend conceptualizing athletic training as general practice so that we can differentiate the relationships of general, advanced, and specialty practices. Conclusions Athletic trainer specialty certifications are part of athletic training. Growing existing and creating new specialties and specialty certifications requires conceptualizing athletic training as general, advanced, and specialized practices.