Athletic Trainer / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Athletic Trainer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Prevents and treats injuries for athletes. Requires BOC examination.

What the North Carolina data shows for Athletic Trainers

North Carolina sets the entry bar for athletic trainers at 2,946 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 North Carolina's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree".

The initial price tag is $139, and renewal costs $117 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 50 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, athletic trainers should know: Athletic Training Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
39/100
Athletic Trainer · North Carolina

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
2,946 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$139
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$59/yr
$117 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 North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree
2,946 hours
Exam Requirement
BOC Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$117
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 North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Athletic Trainer in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina's requirements cover 2946 hours of education or training, the BOC Examination exam, and an initial fee of $139. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Athletic Trainer in North Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed athletic trainer in North Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 2946 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Athletic Trainer license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for athletic trainers: Athletic Training Compact: adoption underway. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the North Carolina licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Athletic Trainer licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for athletic trainer licensing in North Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Athletic Trainer in North Carolina? ▼
Licensed athletic trainers in North Carolina must complete 50 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $117.

Related Guides

What to do with this athletic trainer license

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

  • See how North Carolina'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 North Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Carolina overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina 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.