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About
the Idaho Athletic Trainers Association (IATA) The Idaho Athletic Trainers' Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing, encouraging and improving the athletic training profession in Idaho. The IATA is committed to ensuring professional quality care to the traditional and non-traditional athlete in the Great State of Idaho. The State of Idaho requires that practicing athletic trainers be Licensed with the Idaho State Board of Medicine. The IATA helps to keep it members current with information in the 5 domains that Certified Athletic Trainers specialize in, by offering a Summer Symposium each year.
The membership of the Idaho Athletic Trainers' Association is an extremely dedicated group of professionals who take their skills and expertise outside of their normal work setting. Its members have consistently volunteered to provide sports medicine coverage to athletes in and out of Idaho. Our membership annually covers the Idaho High School Association's state tournaments, our members have worked at the different USOC training centers and subsequently been assigned Olympic venues; our membership volunteers for the Special Olympics when called upon; our membership has also answered the call for sports medicine coverage for the NCAA tournaments held here in Idaho. We are a group of individuals proud of our profession but quick to lend our expertise and talents when needed.
The IATA has always been an association to represent the needs and desires of Idaho's practicing athletic training community and dedicated to providing quality care to Idaho's citizens actively engaged in athletics and physical activity. Idaho's Athletic Trainers have members representing all facets of the athletic training profession; Clinical, College, Corporate, High School, Industrial and Professional. The Idaho Athletic Trainers' Association is governed by an elected body of President, Secretary/Treasure, Past-President and 4 Board of Directors, each of whom represent a different geographic area of Idaho: North Idaho, District 1; Southwest Idaho; District 2; South-central Idaho, District 3; Southeast Idaho, District 4. For more information on the IATA's leaders and committees, please visit the IATA Leadership page.
Athletic Trainer Licensure The Idaho Athletic Trainers' Association was formed in 1989 with the passing of the Registration Act. Since that time, the Idaho Board of Medicine (BOM) has recognized the profession of athletic training. On April 8, 2003, Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed H-199 into law. In doing so, Idaho's athletic trainers were given the most restrictive credentialing possible under law. The Athletic Training Licensure Act changed the status of Idaho Athletic Trainers from "Registered" to "Licensed". Idaho Statute 54-3904 states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to practice or to offer to practice as an athletic trainer, or to represent such person to be an athletic trainer unless such person is licensed under the provisions of this chapter." All athletic trainers must work under the direction, both verbal and written, of a supervising physician or chiropractor. In addition, all athletic trainers are required to have an athletic training service plan/protocol on file with the Idaho Board of Medicine and must show documentation of continuing education consistent with BOC guidelines.
Because of the law, all athletic trainers in Idaho are required to be licensed by the BOM in order to practice. With that licensure comes more restriction. All athletic trainers in Idaho must work under the direction, both verbal and written, of a licensed physician or chiropractor in Idaho. Athletic trainers must have a written service plan on file with the Idaho Board of Medicine. This service plan is a formal document that outlines the specific job duties the athletic trainer will be allowed to perform, as described by the directing physician. Athletic trainers in Idaho also must show documentation of continuing education. This requirement is verbatim to the NATA’s continuing education requirement. To meet the NATA’s requirements, each certified athletic trainer must complete a minimum of 80 credit hours of continuing education units (CEUs) in the field of athletic training every three years. CEUs can be obtained by attending state, regional, and national conventions, workshops, and by taking applicable classes. Annual dues to both the NATA and Idaho State Board of Medicine are required in order to maintain affiliation with each.
Historically, athletic trainers emerged in the late 19th Century with the development of interscholastic athletics. These trainers did not have any formal medical training and their primary responsibility was to provide rub downs to sore athletes. As time passed, however, the demand for athletic trainers increased as more and more athletes sought care for their athletic-related injuries. Recognizing the evolving role of athletic trainers as health care providers, in 1950 professional standards emerged and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association was born.
In 1990, the American Medical Association recognized athletic training as an allied health profession. This designation publicly acknowledged the educational and professional training of athletic trainers in the United States. In Idaho, athletic trainers are licensed by the BOM and work in a variety of settings ranging from high schools to clinics. Athletic trainers in Idaho are required to work under the direction of a physician and in cooperation with other allied health professionals to help prevent, recognize, and care for athletic-related injuries.
Founded in 1950, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of athletes worldwide. With more than 27.000 members, the NATA strives to improve the athletic training profession through the offering of accredited athletic training programs in various colleges and universities, the publication of various athletic training resources, and the establishment of educational and professional standards for athletic trainers.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (BOC) was established in 1989 to provide a certification program for entry-level athletic trainers and to design recertification standards for those athletic trainers who wished to continue with their certification. The purpose of the certification program for entry-level students was to design and establish professional, ethical, and educational standards. Since that time, any person wishing to obtain certification as an athletic trainer must have demonstrated proficiency in the BOC’s required areas. the BOC also has required comprehensive board examinations by all athletic training candidates. The BOC reviews and revises all examinations and credentialing requirements annually.
Work Settings Certified athletic trainers can be found almost anywhere people are physically active. Here are some of the places you’ll find them:
Since 1989, educational requirements for the certified athletic trainer have included, at minimum, a baccalaureate degree that demonstrated comprehensive coursework in human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition, and sports psychology. The educational coursework component for prospective athletic trainers also has included the following emphasis areas specific to the practices of athletic trainers: (a) prevention of athletic injuries; (b) recognition, evaluation, and assessment of athletic injuries; (c) providing immediate care for injuries sustained; (d) treatment, rehabilitation, and recondition of athletic injuries; (e) organization and administration of sports medicine programs; (f) professional development and responsibility. Extensive clinical experience has also been a requirement. Athletic training applicants must have also shown proof of CPR and first aid certification.
Prior to 2004, athletic training students could pursue an internship route to certification. Internship candidates had to demonstrate college coursework and proficiency in the areas listed above and had to complete a 1500-hour internship with a certified athletic trainer. In January of 2004, however, the BOC elected to eliminate the internship route to certification. Now, all students wishing to become athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited college athletic training program. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Programs (CAATE) has been in charge of accrediting all athletic training education programs.
After meeting the educational requirements, qualified candidates are allowed to sit for board examinations. To this date, the certification examination has consisted of three separate tests: (a) a written examination that evaluates cognitive understanding, (b) a practical examination that evaluates hands on skills, and (c) a written simulation examination that approximates real-life decision making. Approximately 40 percent of those that sit for the exam receive passing scores.
As stated, students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.
To become certified athletic trainers, students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.
Standards for Athletic Training EducationThe athletic trainer’s professional preparation is based on the development of specified educational competencies and clinical proficiencies. Through a combination of formal classroom and clinical instruction and clinical experience, the athletic trainer is prepared to provide health care within each of the following content areas:
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Last Updated: 02/20/2008 07:23 AM -0700
About
Athletic Trainers
Curricular Requirements
