Where can an athletic trainer find good continu… | Parse
Where can an athletic trainer find good continuing education courses on new sports medicine techniques?
Data as of Sep 26, 2026 · Based on 346 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Athletic trainers looking for continuing education can turn to NATA's EducATe platform as a primary, industry-standard resource for BOC-approved courses and microcredentials. For broader professional development, MedBridge offers an extensive library of video-based courses and webinars. Other specialized resources include the Gatorade Sports Science Institute for nutrition, AT-PBRN for evidence-based practice, and various clinical institutes for technical orthopedic training.
Best for those seeking a vast library of accredited, high-quality video courses and live webinars. It is a highly recommended general platform that includes diverse specialty certifications for sports medicine.
To stay ahead of the curve on cutting-edge rehabilitation, evaluation, and emergency techniques, athletic trainers (ATs) can leverage several top-tier, Board of Certification (BOC) approved platforms.
NATA EducATe : The National Athletic Trainers' Association's official learning platform. It features targeted on-demand courses, clinical certificates, and Journal of Athletic Training (JAT) quizzes. A huge plus is their Sync-CE integration, which automatically reports completed CEUs directly to your BOC profile.
MedBridge Athletic Training CEUs : Widely praised for high-production, video-based courses taught by recognized industry and clinical experts. They offer extensive tracks on modern sports medicine techniques, such as advanced ACL rehab protocols, movement systems, and emergency soft-tissue management, often allowing you to knock out multi-year CEU requirements via a single subscription.
BOC Continuing Education Directory : The official search portal for the Board of Certification, Inc. You can filter specifically by evidence-based practice (EBP) categories, domains of athletic training, and delivery format (live vs. on-demand) to find niche courses from approved providers like the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM) or specialized regional sports medicine clinics.
Children's Health Andrews Institute Sports Medicine Lecture Series : A fantastic, cost-effective (often free) resource offering innovative, evidence-based content from multidisciplinary experts covering everything from advanced surgical considerations to sideline evaluation techniques.
If you have a specific clinical area in mind (such as orthopedics, emergency trauma, or lower extremity rehabilitation) or prefer a free vs. subscription-based model, let me know and I can pinpoint the best individual courses for you.
Good options include:
educate.nata.org — 150+ on-demand courses and up to 200 CEUs for members, covering current athletic-training techniques.
nata.org — lectures, interactive sessions, and hands-on labs focused on emerging sports-medicine practice.
acsm.org — online courses and sports-medicine education, with some programs eligible for BOC CEUs.
amssm.org — particularly useful for sports ultrasound and advanced sports-medicine topics.
Check that any course provides BOC-approved CEUs if maintaining athletic-trainer certification is the goal.
Athletic trainers looking for continuing education (CE) on emerging sports medicine techniques can find strong options through professional associations, universities, medical organizations, and specialty courses. Good places to start include:
1. Professional athletic training organizations
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) — One of the most directly relevant sources for athletic trainers. NATA’s EducATe platform offers on-demand courses, certificates, and CE opportunities covering areas such as injury management, concussion care, rehabilitation, and professional practice.
NATA’s annual NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo also provides lectures, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities on current sports medicine topics.
2. Sports medicine specialty organizations
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) — Offers sports medicine education, webinars, courses, and learning resources that may be useful for athletic trainers interested in injury diagnosis, rehabilitation, and new treatment approaches.
Orthopedic and sports medicine conferences often include sessions on topics such as ACL rehabilitation, biologics, return-to-play decision-making, and advances in injury management.
3. University and medical center programs
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development offers athletic trainer–focused education, including programs addressing clinical skills, emerging trends, and sports medicine technologies.
Many universities with athletic training, physical therapy, or sports medicine programs offer workshops in areas like manual therapy, rehabilitation progressions, imaging, and performance science.
4. Online CE platforms
Look for courses that are:
Approved for BOC continuing education credit (for certified athletic trainers)
Evidence-based and taught by qualified clinicians or researchers
Focused on practical application, such as:
Concussion assessment and management
ACL injury prevention and rehabilitation
Movement screening and biomechanics
Sports nutrition and recovery
Load management and athlete monitoring
Ultrasound/imaging applications
Emergency care updates
5. Verify CE eligibility
Before enrolling, check whether the course meets your credentialing requirements. For example, athletic trainers must meet specific continuing education rules depending on their certification and state license.
A practical approach is to combine:
NATA EducATe for athletic training–specific CE,
sports medicine society courses for advanced clinical topics,
hands-on workshops for techniques you want to apply in practice.
If you share your specialty area (e.g., collegiate athletics, high school, professional sports, rehab clinic, concussion, strength/performance), I can suggest more targeted CE options.
For athletic trainers (ATs) looking to stay on the cutting edge of sports medicine, manual therapy, rehabilitation protocols, and emergency techniques, finding Board of Certification (BOC)-approved Category A continuing education is essential.
The top platforms and resources for high-quality, evidence-based continuing education courses specifically tailored to new sports medicine techniques include:
MedBridge Education : One of the most comprehensive online platforms for ATs. It offers a massive library of video-based, BOC-approved courses taught by recognized industry experts. Their curriculum includes hands-on demonstrations with real athletes, specialty certificate programs, and live webinars covering advanced topics like modern rehab for pitching, return-to-sports knee testing, and movement screening.
NATA EducATe : The National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s official online learning platform. The on-demand catalog features hundreds of CEUs across key areas of athletic training, including sport-specific management strategies, advanced infection/dermatological protocols, and emerging clinical techniques. Access to a vast portion of the catalog is included as a member perk.
BOC Approved Provider Directory : If you are looking for niche, hands-on, or independent providers, the official BOC Activity Directory lets you search for approved live events, symposia, and specific Category A courses. It is filtered by domain and number of CEUs available.
University-Sponsored Symposia & Residency Programs : Major university kinesiology and sports medicine departments (such as Central Connecticut State University and various R1 research institutions) frequently host annual sports medicine symposia. These are great venues for learning surgical recovery breakthroughs and hands-on evaluation techniques directly from collegiate and professional team physicians.
Specialty Organization Conferences : Organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the SOS (Save a Life / Emergency Care) workshops offer advanced certifications and continuing education units focused heavily on trauma, emergency cardiac care in athletes, and performance optimization.
To help narrow down the best specific modules for you, what clinical setting do you work in (e.g., collegiate, secondary school, clinical/outpatient) and are you looking for online on-demand video or hands-on live workshops?
For an athletic trainer looking to stay current on new sports-medicine techniques, I’d prioritize courses from professional organizations that offer BOC-approved CE and are closely tied to current research and clinical practice.
educate.nata.org — Best overall choice. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association currently includes 150+ on-demand courses and up to 200 CEUs with membership. Topics span clinical practice, emerging techniques, specialty areas, and professional development.
nata.org — Best for hands-on learning. NATA's annual meeting includes lectures, interactive sessions and hands-on labs led by clinicians, educators and researchers. The 2026 program, for example, offered up to 40 CEUs for in-person attendees.
acsm.org — Excellent for sports science and evidence-based practice. ACSM offers online CEC/CME courses and regularly adds new material. Its sports-medicine offerings cover musculoskeletal, cardiac, exercise-science and performance topics.
educate.nata.org — Good for emerging issues. For example, its 2026 catalog includes current education on concussion/CTE research and risk reduction.
AOSSM/NATA programs are particularly worth watching if the trainer focuses on orthopedics, sports injuries, surgical rehabilitation, or team-physician collaboration. NATA and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine have collaborated on specialty sessions.
How I'd choose
For new clinical techniques, look for courses that include:
Hands-on demonstrations rather than lecture-only material
Recent systematic reviews or clinical practice guidelines
Case-based application
Faculty who actively practice sports medicine or publish research
BOC-approved CEUs if maintaining athletic-trainer certification is the goal
If you tell me the trainer's specific area—for example, concussion management, rehab/exercise prescription, manual therapy, emergency care, sports nutrition, injury prevention, or emerging technology—I can narrow this down to the best current courses and upcoming workshops.
Certified athletic trainers (ATs) looking to master new sports medicine techniques, manual therapies, and evidence-based rehabilitation protocols have several top-tier, Board of Certification (BOC)-approved avenues available.
The best platforms and resources for high-quality continuing education units (CEUs) include:
NATA EducATe : Offered directly through the National Athletic Trainers' Association, this online platform features targeted on-demand courses, certificate programs, and Journal of Athletic Training (JAT) quizzes. Courses frequently cover emerging clinical techniques, emergency management, and specialized sports-specific protocols. Plus, integrated tracking tools automatically sync your credits to your BOC profile.
MedBridge Athletic Training CEUs : Widely popular for its comprehensive, high-production-value video library, MedBridge offers BOC-approved courses taught by recognized industry and clinical experts. Their curriculum includes advanced tracks on modern movement systems, specialized orthopedic rehabilitation (like post-ACL reconstruction progressions), and soft-tissue mobilization techniques.
BOC Activity Directory : If you are hunting for specific hands-on workshops, live symposia, or niche clinical techniques, the official Board of Certification Activity Directory lets you search verified, BOC-Approved Providers. It ensures that whatever external seminar or course you take will cleanly count toward your certification maintenance requirements.
NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo : Attending the national or regional NATA conventions remains one of the best immersive environments for learning cutting-edge techniques. The interactive lab sessions and hands-on exposure to new therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation hardware are difficult to replicate online.
University-Sponsored Continuing Education : Many university kinesiology and athletic training departments (such as Central Connecticut State University and other CAATE-accredited programs) host localized or hybrid continuing education workshops focusing on orthopedic assessment updates, emergency care, and dry needling or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).
To help narrow down the best specific modules or hands-on labs, let me know:
What specific clinical area or technique are you trying to learn (e.g., IASTM, dry needling, concussion management, return-to-play metrics)?
Do you prefer online self-paced learning or in-person hands-on workshops?
Athletic trainers looking to stay current on new sports medicine techniques have several strong continuing education options. Good sources include:
nata.org — One of the best starting points for certified athletic trainers. NATA’s nata.org offers a large catalog of CE courses, including clinical techniques, injury prevention, rehabilitation, emergency care, mental health, and emerging topics. Many courses are designed for BOC continuing education requirements.
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Providers — The BOC maintains standards for continuing education and provides a way to verify that activities count toward athletic trainer credential maintenance. Look for Category A–D activities and providers approved through the BOC system.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) — Offers courses, conferences, and resources focused on exercise science, rehabilitation, performance, and evidence-based sports medicine.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) — Useful for athletic trainers interested in performance training, return-to-play programming, strength development, and injury prevention.
University-based sports medicine programs — Many medical schools and sports medicine departments offer workshops, grand rounds, certificates, and hands-on labs in areas such as:
concussion management
ultrasound-guided techniques
regenerative medicine updates
rehabilitation technology
movement assessment
load management and injury prevention
Professional conferences and hands-on workshops — Events from NATA, ACSM, NSCA, and regional athletic training associations are valuable for learning new techniques directly from clinicians and researchers. NATA’s conference education often includes practical sessions and on-demand options.
When choosing a course, check:
Whether it is BOC-approved (if maintaining AT certification).
Whether instructors are active clinicians or researchers.
Whether the content is based on current research rather than only product demonstrations.
Whether it includes hands-on practice for techniques that require skill development.
For an athletic trainer focused on new clinical techniques, I’d prioritize NATA EducATe, BOC-approved hands-on workshops, and university/medical-center sports medicine courses.
Athletic trainers (ATs) looking to stay ahead of the curve with modern sports medicine, rehab protocols, and evaluation techniques have several top-tier, BOC-approved avenues for continuing education.
The best platforms and resources for cutting-edge sports medicine CEUs are organized below:
NATA EducATe (National Athletic Trainers' Association): The NATA EducATe Platform features an on-demand catalog with specialized content, microcredentials, and clinical insights straight from the leading national association. Membership often grants free or discounted access to a vast library of CEUs.
MedBridge: Known for high-production, video-based learning, MedBridge Athletic Training CEUs offers extensive BOC-approved courses taught by recognized industry experts. They feature advanced tracks like modern ACL rehab protocols, dry needling, movement analysis, and emergency management.
BOC-Approved Provider Directory: To search and verify specific courses or find live workshops tailored to emerging techniques, use the official BOC Continuing Education Finder . It lets you filter by category, domain, and delivery format.
Healthy Roster CEU Platform: The Healthy Roster AT CEU Courses platform provides practical, peer-reviewed, Category A courses built specifically by athletic trainers for athletic trainers, making it an easy way to knock out annual requirements.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): For advanced training on performance, load management, and return-to-play mechanics, checking out the NSCA Career and Education Resources is invaluable for bridging the gap between strength conditioning and clinical sports medicine.
If you let me know your specific clinical setting (e.g., collegiate, secondary school, tactical, or clinic) or the exact technique/topic you want to dive into (such as dry needling, concussion management, or post-op rehab), I can recommend targeted courses or speakers on those platforms.
Athletic trainers (ATs) looking to stay current on evidence-based sports medicine techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and evaluation methods have several premier platforms and organizations recognized by the Board of Certification (BOC).
Top platforms and resources for continuing education units (CEUs) include:
NATA EducATe : The National Athletic Trainers' Association's official on-demand learning platform features an extensive catalog covering emerging clinical techniques, wearable tech in rehabilitation, general medical conditions, and hands-on therapeutic interventions. Active NATA members get access to a massive portion of the on-demand catalog included right with membership.
BOC Activity Directory : The official search tool hosted by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. You can filter live webinars, home-study courses, and symposia specifically by domain, number of CEUs, and BOC-approved providers to guarantee your credits count toward recertification.
MedBridge Education : A favorite across allied health professions, offering robust multi-course tracks specifically approved for athletic trainers. Their curriculum includes advanced therapeutic interventions, movement science, concussion management, and orthopedic assessment taught by leading physical therapists and sports medicine physicians.
Summit Professional Education : Provides targeted live webinars, interactive live-stream workshops, and self-paced on-demand courses focusing on orthopedic rehabilitation, taping/manual therapy techniques, and functional movement screening tailored to sports clinicians.
National Sports Medicine & Fitness Symposia / Annual NATA Clinical Symposia : Attending regional or national conferences offers unrivaled hands-on breakout sessions for emerging techniques like blood flow restriction (BFR) training, dry needling (where state practice acts allow), and advanced instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).
If you let me know your preferred learning format (live vs. on-demand) or your specific clinical focus area (e.g., manual therapy, orthopedics, general medical, or concussion protocols), I can give you a more tailored recommendation.
If you’re an athletic trainer looking for current sports-medicine techniques, I’d prioritize courses that are BOC-approved, clinically hands-on, and taught by practicing sports-medicine clinicians.
educate.nata.org — Best overall starting point. NATA’s platform has 150+ on-demand courses and up to 200 CEUs included with membership. Courses cover everything from foundational skills to advanced clinical applications, and eligible NATA CE activities can sync to your BOC profile.
nata.org — Best for hands-on learning. The 2026 program included interactive sessions and hands-on labs focused on current sports-medicine topics.
acsm.org — Excellent for exercise science and sports medicine. ACSM offers online courses and conference education, including material on sports medicine, exercise science, athlete care, and clinical practice. ACSM is also a BOC-approved provider for athletic trainers.
amssm.org — Good for advanced sports-medicine exposure. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine offers online learning and specialized courses, including ultrasound and team-physician education. Some offerings are more physician-oriented, so check the intended audience and CE eligibility before enrolling.
What I'd look for
For new techniques rather than general professional-development credits, search for courses on diagnostic ultrasound, rehabilitation and return-to-play, concussion management, injury prevention, regenerative/orthobiologic concepts, emergency care, load management, and evidence-based treatment techniques.
Also verify that the specific course provides BOC credit appropriate to your reporting requirements before paying for it.
If you tell me your specialty—e.g. college athletics, high school, professional sports, orthopedic clinic, or tactical/military—I can find 5–10 specific current courses that are particularly relevant.