Athletic Trainer / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Athletic Trainer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Prevents and treats injuries for athletes. Requires BOC examination.

What the Illinois data shows for Athletic Trainers

Illinois sets the entry bar for athletic trainers at 3,419 training hours and a passing score on BOC Examination. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree".

Budget $234 to get started, plus $188 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 50 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For athletic trainers, the reciprocity picture is: Athletic Training Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Athletic Trainer · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,419 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$234
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$94/yr
$188 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
25.0 hrs/yr
50 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree
3,419 hours
Exam Requirement
BOC Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$234
Renewal Fee
$188
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
50 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Athletic Trainer All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Athletic Trainer in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 3419 education/training hours, passing an exam (BOC Examination), and an initial fee of $234. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Athletic Trainer in Illinois? ▼
Illinois licenses athletic trainers who complete its requirements (3419 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Illinois licensing board.
Can I transfer my Athletic Trainer license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for athletic trainers nationally works like this: Athletic Training Compact: adoption underway. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Illinois. Verify the specifics with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Athletic Trainer licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the athletic trainer licensing process in Illinois. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Athletic Trainer in Illinois? ▼
To stay licensed as an athletic trainer in Illinois, plan on 50 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $188.

Related Guides

What to do with this athletic trainer license

Athletic Trainer in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an athletic trainer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's athletic trainer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Athletic Trainer in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state athletic trainer license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.