NATA Quick Facts

National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)

  • The professional membership organization for athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession
  • Established in 1950
  • Headquarters: Carrollton, Texas

Membership- Learn more about NATA membership.

Definition of Athletic Trainers- Learn more about athletic training.

Health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the states’ statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Governmental Affairs- Learn more about NATA's governmental affairs efforts.

  • Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Of the 50 regulated states, only Texas provides for initial licensure without the Board of Certification (BOC) credential (ATC).
  • No state mandates athletic trainers in secondary schools. There are some jurisdictions with related requirements (such as D.C. and Hawaii) – check with NATA staff for details.
  • Athletic trainers are eligible and encouraged to apply for their National Provider Identifier (NPI) – it is quick, easy and free. The NPI is used by all health care professionals in adherence to HIPAA requirements and the simplification of transmission of electronic health information. The designated taxonomy code for an athletic trainer is “255A2300X – Specialist/Technologist – Athletic Trainer.” Students can apply for their NPI under the taxonomy code “390200000X Student in an Organized Health Care Education/Training Program.”
  • The NATA Political Action Committee (NATAPAC) is the political voice of the athletic training profession, seeking better working conditions, fair access and the right to practice for all athletic trainers. The voluntary contributions of NATA members are the only legal source of funds to support these activities. It is separately incorporated and is managed by its own board of directors.

Youth Sports Safety

  • AtYourOwnRisk.org educates, provides resources and equips the public to act and advocate for safety in work, life and sport. The site includes pertinent information for parents, student athletes, school administrators, employers, legislators and others on the benefits of sports and physical activity and how athletic trainers can play a substantial role in mitigating risk. Visitors can take customized quizzes to determine their risk of athletic injury. An interactive map of all 50 states provides detailed information about recommended sports safety policies; indicates percentages of schools with a full time athletic trainer; and lists the number of NATA Safe Sports schools in that state.

NATA Research & Education Foundation- Learn more about the NATA Foundation.

Published Statements

  • Position statements are scientifically based, peer reviewed research recommendations developed by a team of authors who are experts on the subject. The NATA Foundation Pronouncements Committee has oversight of position statement development.
  • Official statements are brief statements that give NATA’s official stance on timely topics.
  • Support statements illustrate support between NATA and outside organizations on a particular topic.
  • Consensus statements are the products of inter-association task forces spearheaded by NATA.

Professional Development- Learn more about NATA's professional development offerings.

Convention- Learn more about the NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.

Communication Channels- Learn more about NATA publications.

National Athletic Training Month- Learn more about National Athletic Training Month.

  • Launched in 2001; held annually in March.
  • External and internal communications opportunity to promote the profession.
  • Annual public relations and social media contests recognize member participation.

Terminology

NATA has made concerted efforts to ensure media, medical experts, peer health care professionals and others use proper terminology. Since members are often quoted or referenced, it is vital that ATs refer to themselves as “athletic trainers” or “ATs.”

Learn more about proper athletic training terminology and view the Athletic Training Glossary.

International Efforts

  • Meet the needs of NATA members on learning exchanges or employed outside the U.S.
  • Expand the awareness and practice of athletic training outside the U.S.
  • Expand knowledge of the NATA brand outside the U.S.
  • Principal means of information sharing and exchange: NATA International webpage and the NATA International LinkedIn page.