The Board of Certification (BOC) continues to diligently monitor the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The BOC is communicating with its strategic partners to maintain operations while keeping the safety and well-being of all stakeholders our top priority. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) have also issued statements regarding the impact of COVID-19.

For the safety of BOC volunteers and staff, the BOC is restricting travel in and out of the BOC office until further notice and will continue to assess the situation over time. Currently, the BOC staff is working remotely. We recommend sending all correspondence and documentation electronically, if possible, as we currently have limited access to postal mail. The BOC strives to process documents related to candidates, ATs and BOC Approved Providers in a timely manner, but there may be delays in the current situation. We understand the impact this may have, but the health, safety and welfare of our employees, AT community and candidates must remain a priority. We are committed to maintaining operations conducted by the BOC staff as smoothly and efficiently as possible.





BOC Exam Candidates, Program Directors and Employers

The BOC and CAATE recognize a variety of scenarios resulting from COVID-19 may lead to a delay in the normal time of program completion. Students may become ill or quarantined, or they may have difficulty finding appropriate clinical sites and institutions due to temporary closures. We further recognize that delays in a student’s program completion may impact BOC exam eligibility and entry into the workforce. Should a change in graduation date occur, candidates must submit the “AT105 - Graduation Date Change” form in BOC Central™.

Exam Candidate FAQs

Q. What exam sites are currently open for the October exam?

A.October BOC exam deadlines can be found at: https://bocatc.org/candidates#oct-2020. You can find daily updates of exam site closures posted at https://www.scantron.com/site-closures-delays/. Candidates should direct any questions regarding exam locations to Scantron at candidatesuport@scantron.com or (919) 572-6880.

October Exam Site Updates Date Exam Sites Open Oct 3 - Oct 17 Number of Exam Site States 8/26/2020 267 46, Guam and Puerto Rico 8/26/2020 14 7 Canada Provinces 9/2/2020 281 46, Puerto Rico 9/2/2020 14 7 Canada Provinces 9/9/2020 304 46, Puerto Rico 9/9/2020 17 5 Canada Provinces 9/16/2020 308 47, Puerto Rico 9/16/2020 17 5 Canada Provinces

In the US, the 306 sites represent:

19,180 available seats during the window

4,368 available testing events (site, date, and time combinations)

In Canada, the 17 sites represent:

988 available seats during the window

230 available testing events (site, date, and time combinations)

A. As we move into the October BOC exam window, we want to assure you that exam sites have put measures and procedures in place to safeguard candidates and support them during exam administration. Our number one priority during this time is safety. As such, the following exam day guidelines apply to help keep all candidates safe:

Ill candidates or candidates with an ill member in their household MUST reschedule to another exam window.

Candidates who arrive to a testing center showing any signs of illness will be asked to leave and must email Exam@bocatc.org to reschedule to a later exam window.

If candidates are not comfortable with entering an environment where they will encounter other people, candidates must reschedule to another exam window.

Scantron has requested exam sites take the following preventative measures: Seat candidates as far apart as possible leaving at least one empty seat between people. Limit the number of candidates to no more than 10 per room. Clean the exam room frequently and wipe down workstations.



Q: Has the BOC considered using live remote proctors to administer the exam?

A: The BOC continues to investigate this alternative method of exam delivery. However, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, BOC’s accreditation body, has not yet determined if live remote proctoring is consistent with its standards. As a result, the BOC’s accreditation may be at risk if an alternative delivery method is implemented.

Q. What are some tips candidates can use to be successful when taking the BOC exam?

A. Candidates can use the below tips to be successful for the BOC exam.

Use BOC’s exam preparation tools.

Confirm their name in BOC Central matches the legal first, last name and suffix as it appears on a valid, government-issued photo ID.

Candidates should complete their BOC file early by submitting the following documentation: Official Transcript, once candidate has graduated. Current Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) card or certificate.



Q: What do I need to do if my anticipated date of graduation has changed?

A: If your graduation date changes after your “AT101 - Exam Application - Step 1” form is approved, you must complete the “AT105 - Graduation Date Change” form. This form can be found in your BOC Central profile.

Q. Does my state offer a temporary license if I’m eligible to take the BOC exam?

A. Some states provide a temporary license if an individual is eligible to take the BOC exam. For more information, please contact your state regulatory board or agency.

Q. My emergency cardiac care (ECC) certification is expired, and I cannot renew it safely. Will I still be able to complete my file and earn BOC certification with an expired ECC certification?

A. Exam candidates have one year from the posting of a passing exam result to complete their file to earn BOC certification. The BOC requires a valid ECC certification to complete your file. Please reach out to the BOC for help finding a course that meets your needs.





Athletic Trainers

BOC is communicating with BOC Approved Providers who are facing the decision to cancel or modify their live continuing education (CE) programs. The BOC recognizes the need for Athletic Trainers (ATs) to have access to these CE programs and will continue to work with BOC Approved Providers.

Athletic Trainer FAQs

Q. My emergency cardiac care (ECC) course got cancelled (due to COVID-19), and I will have a lapse in certification, what should I do?

A. Take an ECC course as soon and safely as you can. The BOC will work with all ATs knowing there will be lapses in ECC certification and issues finding a class in the near future due to course cancellations.

When you log into BOC Central to report your continuing education on the “AT203 Continuing Education Reporting Form,” you will be asked about continuous ECC certification. If you have a lapse in continuous ECC certification, report this as such and lapses due to COVID-19 will not be considered a disciplinary matter. Visit the ECC section of the BOC website for more information.

Visit the American Red Cross for their course safety measures.

Q. Has the BOC considered extending the continuing education reporting deadline?

A. The BOC continues to monitor the situation and is diligently working with BOC Approved Providers as they transition programs from in-person to virtual and/or on-demand.





BOC Approved Providers

With many organizations facing similar situations needing to modify business practices for the safety of employees, business partners and customers, we want to provide BOC Approved Providers (APs) with the assurance that we are here to help.

Below outlines possible scenarios and options for those facing the decision to cancel or modify your live continuing education (CE) programs. Feel free to contact the BOC to discuss feasible solutions to scenarios not listed below

Possible Scenarios Category A Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Cancellation of live program, with no plan of rescheduling the program. Contact the BOC to have the program directory listing inactivated. Contact the BOC to have the program directory listing inactivated. Change date of live program. If reschedule date is known, program directory listing will need to be updated by AP. If reschedule date is not known, contact the BOC to have the program directory listing inactivated. The BOC can make the listing active when a new date has been established. Contact the BOC to have the program directory listing updated. If reschedule date is not known, contact the BOC to have the program directory listing inactivated. The BOC can make the listing active when a new date has been established. Live program to live stream on scheduled date (skype/zoom/go to webinar/ON24). The program will remain a live event and no changes needed on program directory. The AP will need to ensure all standards are met for live event including attendance, statement of credit, participant assessment, program evaluation, etc. The program remains a live event and no changes are needed on program directory. The AP will need to ensure all standards are met for the live event including attendance, statement of credit, participant assessment, program evaluation, etc. Live event (either an actual live or live stream) and record live event then changes to a home study event. APs will need to ensure all standards are still met. Programs will have two entries in the program directory: one for the live event with specified date/time/location and one for the home study. Need to ensure accuracy of program directory as well as accurate dates on home study statement of credit/program evaluation and participant assessment with accurate tracking of participants. Category A has blanket approval for programs whether they are live or home study. APs will need to ensure all standards are still met. Programs will have two entries in the program directory: one for the live event with specified date/time/location and one for the home study. Recorded program to have timestamps of start to finish for accurate continuing education unit (CEU) calculation. APs can submit a separate application at a reduced fee to change live program to home study as CEU calculation and pedagogy can be different from live event and they will continue to charge for home study. BOC enters all EBP programs on the program directory.

BOC Approved Provider FAQs

Q. If we convert our live program into a virtual program using a platform like Zoom or Skype, is this still considered a live event?

A. Yes, live events are programs that involve interaction between the program faculty and participant in real-time. Programs may be in person or online, given attendance can be tracked. Conferences, conventions, grand rounds, labs, symposiums, webinars and workshops are acceptable methods for live events. As a part of the requirements for BOC Approved Providers, make sure you are tracking attendees and are able to confirm their attendance at the virtual event.





Resource Links

World Health Organization (WHO) – Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases Map

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – COVID-19 Situation Summary