How Long Does It Take to Become an Athletic Trainer in 2026?

If you are planning this career, you need a clear timeline. You also need the right degree path. Many older guides are outdated now, so this article keeps the steps current and simple.

Quick Answer: The Typical Timeline in 2026

Most people take about 5–7 years after high school. That usually includes a bachelor’s degree, then a professional master’s, then the BOC exam and state licensing steps.

• Bachelor’s degree: about 4 years
• Professional master’s in athletic training: often about 2 years, sometimes 1–3 years
• BOC exam and licensing: often weeks to a few months after graduation
  Your exact time depends on prerequisites, program length, and your state rules. Next, let’s cover why the timeline changed and what schools now expect.

Why the Timeline Changed and What Schools Expect Now

For new students, the entry point shifted to graduate level education. CAATE notes that after the Fall 2022 term, baccalaureate athletic training programs stopped enrolling new students. That means the common pathway now is a bachelor’s degree first, then a professional master’s in athletic training.

What “accredited” means in plain words

Accredited means the program meets required training standards. It also matters because your program must qualify you for the BOC exam. CAATE lists program types, and only professional programs are designed as the entry path for new athletic trainers.

Quick check before you apply

Ask one question and do not accept a vague answer: “Does this program make me eligible to sit for the BOC exam?” If they cannot confirm it clearly, do not enroll.

Step by Step Path: What You Must Complete

The path is simple when you see it in order. You complete education, then certification, then state permission to practice. Missing one step can delay you by a year or more.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field

Many students start with a bachelor’s in kinesiology, exercise science, or a health related major. Your goal is to complete prerequisites and build a strong graduate application. Shadowing, volunteering, and strong grades can help.

Step 2: Complete a CAATE accredited professional master’s program

Most new athletic trainers now enter through a professional master’s program. NATA states students must graduate with a master’s degree from an accredited professional program to become certified.
This stage includes both coursework and clinical education. You train in injury prevention, evaluation, emergency care, and rehab planning. Many programs take about two years full time, though length can vary.

Step 3: Pass the BOC certification exam

After graduation from an eligible program, you take the BOC exam. BOC explains that candidates must complete a CAATE accredited entry level program, and your program confirms your eligibility.

Step 4: Meet state licensure or regulation rules

Many states regulate athletic trainers through licensure or registration rules. NATA notes athletic trainers are regulated in all 50 states and DC. BOC also notes certification does not guarantee a license, so you must check your state requirements.

Timeline Scenarios: Pick the One That Fits You

Your timeline changes based on where you are starting today. Choosing the right scenario helps you plan with less stress and fewer wrong turns.

Scenario A: You are in high school now

Most students take about 5–7 years after high school. That is usually four years for a bachelor’s and about two years for a master’s, plus exam and licensing steps. Plan early for prerequisites, and ask graduate programs what they want before your sophomore year ends.

Scenario B: You already have a bachelor’s degree

If you already have a bachelor’s, your timeline is often about 2–4 years. It depends on missing science prerequisites and your master’s program length. If you lack key courses, add time for prerequisite semesters before applying.

Scenario C: You want the fastest route

Some schools offer combined pathways that can reduce total time. These often compress the path into about five years total. The catch is that planning and eligibility rules are strict, so you need early advising and strong academic standing.

Scenario D: You need part time school

Part time plans can extend the timeline because clinical rotations have fixed requirements. The biggest risk is assuming clinical work can fit any schedule. Ask programs how they place working students and what weekly hours they expect during clinical terms.

Athletic Trainer vs Personal Trainer: Do Not Mix These Up

This confusion wastes time. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals in sports and clinical settings. Personal trainers focus on fitness coaching and exercise programming. The education path and legal scope are not the same.

Scope of work: medical care vs fitness coaching

ASU explains athletic trainers diagnose and treat injuries in their scope, while personal trainers do not provide medical care. If you want to evaluate injuries, manage emergencies, and support rehab, you want athletic training. If you want to coach workouts and fitness goals, you want personal training.

Credentials: ATC vs fitness certificates

Athletic trainers work toward BOC certification and commonly use the ATC credential after certification. Fitness certificates do not replace the accredited education and BOC path required for athletic trainers.

Quick self check

Ask yourself one question: “Do I want to treat injuries, or coach workouts?” If your answer is “treat injuries,” focus on the athletic training degree path.

What You Will Do During Training: Real Skills and Real Settings

Athletic training education is hands on. It includes classroom learning and supervised clinical experiences. You build real judgment and communication skills, not just textbook knowledge.

Common clinical settings

You may rotate through schools, clinics, and other sports medicine environments. These settings help you learn what work style fits you best. They also build confidence before you enter a full time role.

Core skill areas you will learn

Monster describes common topic areas like prevention, evaluation, emergency care, and treatment planning. Your program trains you to recognize injuries, respond fast, and support safe return to activity.

Practical tip: get early shadowing

Shadowing helps you confirm the job fits your personality. It also strengthens graduate applications. Try at least two settings so you see different work days and time demands.

Costs, Time Traps, and Mistakes That Delay People

Most delays come from a few common mistakes. Fixing them early saves both time and money.

Mistake 1: Choosing the wrong program type

Some programs sound similar but do not lead to BOC eligibility. CAATE lists different program types, so you must confirm you are choosing the right one for entry into the profession.
Solution: Confirm CAATE accreditation and clear BOC exam eligibility before you apply.

Mistake 2: Waiting too long to plan prerequisites

If you miss prerequisites, you may delay your application cycle by a year.
Solution: Map prerequisites early and ask programs for a checklist before junior year.

Mistake 3: Underestimating clinical time

Clinical terms can feel like a job. Many students struggle when they plan like it is a normal class schedule.
Solution: Build your weekly schedule around clinical time first, then add classes and work.

Mistake 4: Ignoring state rules until the end

Licensing and regulation vary by state. NATA notes regulation is widespread, and BOC notes certification does not guarantee a license.
Solution: Check your state board rules during your final year, and earlier if you plan to move.

Simple decision rules that save you time

• If a program cannot clearly confirm BOC eligibility, skip it.
• If clinical placement details are vague, keep asking until they are specific.
• If you are unsure about the job, shadow before paying tuition.

Job Outlook and Pay: Keep This Part Short and Real

Athletic training is a healthcare career with work in schools, sports, clinics, and other settings. Use trustworthy sources when discussing pay and outlook, like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, because numbers change over time.

FAQs

Do you need a master’s degree to become an athletic trainer?

For new entrants, the common pathway now includes a professional master’s program, and CAATE notes the shift away from new enrollment in bachelor level programs after Fall 2022. Always confirm the program is the correct accredited type for entry.

What major is best before a master’s in athletic training?

A health related major can help because prerequisites often include science courses. What matters most is meeting prerequisite lists and building experience through shadowing and clinical exposure.

How long is a master’s in athletic training?

Many professional master’s programs take about two years full time, but lengths can vary by school. Check the program plan and clinical schedule before you apply.

How long does the BOC certification step take after graduation?

Timing varies, but many candidates test soon after graduation once eligibility is confirmed by the program. Plan for exam prep time and your state licensing steps.

Can you become an athletic trainer online?

Some coursework may be online, but clinical education requires in person supervised experiences. If a program suggests you can do the whole path without real clinical placements, treat it as a red flag.

Is athletic training a good career if I want a strict 9 to 5?

Some settings have regular hours, but many sports settings include evenings and weekends. Shadowing helps you see the schedule before you commit.

Conclusion

Most people take about 5–7 years to become an athletic trainer in 2026. The common path is a bachelor’s degree, then a CAATE accredited professional master’s. After that, you take the BOC exam and meet your state’s rules. The fastest plans require early planning and strong advising. The best way to avoid delays is to confirm BOC eligibility before you enroll.