How to Apply for a New Athletic Trainer License

Apprenticeship

You have completed, or are in the process of completing, an apprenticeship program in a college or university intercollegiate sports program, of which at least 1800 clock-hours have been completed to date.

An apprenticeship program must meet the following requirements:

1. The program must be under the direct supervision of and on the same campus as a Texas licensed athletic trainer, or if out-of-state, the program must be under the direct supervision of the college or university's certified or state licensed athletic trainer.
2. The apprenticeship must be a minimum of 1,800 hours.
3. The program must be based on the academic calendar and must be completed during at least five fall and/or spring semesters. Hours in the classroom do not count toward apprenticeship hours.
4. Apprenticeship hours must be completed in college or university intercollegiate sports programs.
   • A maximum of 600 hours of the 1,800 hours may be accepted from an affiliated setting which the college or university's athletic trainer has approved.
   • No more than 300 hours may be earned at one affiliated setting.
   • These hours must be under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, licensed or certified athletic trainer, or licensed physical therapist.
5. 1,500 hours of the apprenticeship must be fulfilled while enrolled as a student at a college or university
6. The apprenticeship must offer work experience in a variety of sports. It shall include instruction by a certified or state-licensed athletic trainer in prevention of injuries, emergency care, rehabilitation, and modality usage.

Educational Requirements for Apprenticeship Applicants

Additionally, you currently hold a baccalaureate degree or post-baccalaureate degree, which includes a minimum of 24 hours of combined academic credit with at least one class in each of the following course areas:

1. Human anatomy and human physiology
2. Health, disease, nutrition, fitness, wellness, emergency care, first aid, or drug and alcohol education
3. Kinesiology or biomechanics
4. Physiology of exercise
5. Athletic training, sports medicine, or care and prevention of injuries
6. Advanced athletic training, advanced sports medicine, or assessment of injury, and
7. Therapeutic exercise or rehabilitation or therapeutic modalities

Note: Applicants who are within 30 hours of being awarded a degree are eligible to take the licensing exam, however the degree must be conferred to obtain a license.

Required Materials for Apprenticeship Method

The following documents, forms and fees must be submitted as part of the application for licensure under the apprenticeship method:

Applying online for a new license from TDLR is easy and secure. Online applications are immediately sent to the Licensing Division for processing and don’t have to go through additional departments for sorting and payment processing.

If an online application is available, you are strongly encouraged to apply online.

• A completed license application form (Apply Online or see Athletic Trainer Application PDF)
• Official and original transcripts and other documentation from the registrar that verifies (1) completion of or enrollment in the required courses, (2) enrollment for the required duration of the apprenticeship, and (3) the award of a degree (if it has been awarded).
• An apprenticeship record form signed by the supervising athletic trainer that verifies either completion of an apprenticeship program or that the program is in progress and at least 1800 clock-hours have been completed to date.
  • Use form ATH004 Athletic Trainer Apprenticeship Record (PDF) for documenting hours at your college or university's apprenticeship program.
  • Use form ATH003 Athletic Trainer Apprenticeship Record - Alternate Site (PDF) for documenting hours earned at an alternate site.
• A copy of the front and back of your current CPR/AED certification.
• A copy of the certificate of completion of the jurisprudence examination, issued no more than six months prior to the date of application
• Fee(s) required under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.80
  • Application fee - $60
  • Initial license fee - $100

Board of Certification and/or Out-Of-State Licensee

You hold a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree and you meet one or more of the following qualifications:

1. You have a current license, certification, or registration to practice athletic training issued by another state
2. You have a current certification by the Board of Certification

Required Materials for Board of Certification and Out-Of-State Methods

The following documents, forms and fees must be submitted as part of the application for licensure under the board of certification and out-of-state methods:

Applying online for a new license from TDLR is easy and secure. Online applications are immediately sent to the Licensing Division for processing and don’t have to go through additional departments for sorting and payment processing.

If an online application is available, you are strongly encouraged to apply online.

• A completed license application form (Apply Online or see Athletic Trainer Application PDF)
• An official, original transcript that verifies the award of a degree
• A completed form Athletic Trainers Verification of License in Other Jurisdictions (PDF) completed by the agency that issued your license, certificate, or registration
• A copy of the certificate of completion of the jurisprudence examination, issued no more than six months prior to the date of application
• A copy of the front and back of your current certification card from the Board of Certification, if certified
• A copy of the front and back of your current CPR/AED certification
• Fee(s) required under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.80
  • Application fee - $60
  • Initial license fee - $100

NOTE: If you have taken and passed the Board of Certification certification exam, you may be eligible for licensure without taking the state licensure exam. See the board rule at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.23(m) for details.

Physical Therapy

All conditions below must be met to qualify under this method:

1. You hold a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree or a state issued certificate in physical therapy, with at least a minor in physical education or health
2. You have also completed a three-hour basic athletic training course from an accredited college or university
3. In addition, you have completed a 720-hour apprenticeship program in athletic training that meets the requirements listed in the board rule at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.21(c)

Required Materials for Physical Therapy Method

The following documents, forms and fees must be submitted as part of the application for licensure under the physical therapy method:

Applying online for a new license from TDLR is easy and secure. Online applications are immediately sent to the Licensing Division for processing and don’t have to go through additional departments for sorting and payment processing.

If an online application is available, you are strongly encouraged to apply online.

• A completed license application form (Apply Online or see Athletic Trainer Application PDF)
• A official, original transcript or certificate that verifies the required credentials
• An apprenticeship record form signed by the supervising athletic trainer that verifies either completion of an apprenticeship program or that the program is in progress and at least 720 clock-hours have been completed to date.
  • Use form ATH004 Athletic Trainer Apprenticeship Record (PDF) for documenting hours at your college or university's apprenticeship program.
  • Use form ATH003 Athletic Trainer Apprenticeship Record - Alternate Site (PDF) for documenting hours earned at an alternate site.
• A copy of the front and back of your current CPR/AED certification
• A copy of the certificate of completion of the jurisprudence examination, issued no more than six months prior to the date of application
• Fee(s) required under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.80
  • Application fee - $60
  • Initial license fee - $100

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

The following documents, forms and fees must be submitted as part of the application for licensure under the Commission on Accreditation method:

You hold a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in athletic training from a college or university which holds accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting organization that is approved by the board (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education). The college or university held/ will hold accreditation during your matriculation and at the time your degree was/is conferred.

Note: If you have taken and passed the Board of Certification exam, you may be eligible to apply under Method B (see above).

Note: Applicants who are within 30 hours of being awarded a degree are eligible to take the licensing exam, however the degree must be conferred to obtain a license.

Required Materials for Commission Method

Applying online for a new license from TDLR is easy and secure. Online applications are immediately sent to the Licensing Division for processing and don’t have to go through additional departments for sorting and payment processing.

If an online application is available, you are strongly encouraged to apply online.

• A completed license application form (Apply Online or see Athletic Trainer Application PDF)
• An official, original transcript that verifies enrollment in, or the award of a degree in athletic training (if it has been awarded) from a college or university that holds accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting organization that is approved by TDLR (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)
• A notarized affidavit from the program director that attests to your enrollment in or successful completion of an accredited program in athletic training
• A copy of the front and back of your current CPR/AED certification
• A copy of the certificate of completion of the jurisprudence examination, issued no more than six months prior to the date of application
• Fee(s) required under Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, §110.80
  • Application fee - $60
  • Initial license fee - $100