Milestones in athletic trainer certification.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the history of athletic trainer certifaction.


BACKGROUND
The single most significant public pronouncement a professional society or organization can bestow upon an individual is certification. One of the underlying goals of professional societies or organizations that certify individuals is to promote the public's reliance on the credential and the individuals who hold that credential. In this paper, I will identify the significant milestones the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the NATA Board of Certification (NATABOC) have achieved for the athletic training profession, promoting and sustaining the public's reliance on the certified athletic trainer.


METHODS
This paper presents the significant milestones in the certification of athletic trainers by the NATA and the NATABOC.


CONCLUSIONS
The milestones related to athletic trainer certification that I present in this paper will enhance the reader's understanding of the underlying reasons for the initiation of athletic trainer certification and the development and recognition of the athletic training profession as a credentialing agency for the athletic training profession.
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Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA.