NATA BOC Athletic Training Exam Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026)
Pass your NATA BOC Athletic Training exam on the first attempt. 💡 Practice questions with detailed answer explanations, hints, and instant scoring.
Free NATA BOC Practice Test PDF Download
The NATA BOC exam — formally the Board of Certification (BOC) Athletic Trainer Certification Examination — is the credentialing test required to earn the ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified) credential. Our free printable PDF gives you real exam-style questions across all five BOC domains so you can study anywhere, even without internet access.
The computer-adaptive exam is administered through Prometric and draws 175 questions from five content domains. Use the PDF below to drill the concepts that appear most frequently, then head to our full online practice test to simulate the adaptive testing experience.
NATA-BOC: upcoming dates and official changes
- Oct 3, 2026 – Oct 17, 2026: The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's October 2026 testing window runs October 3 to October 17, 2026. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- Jan 2, 2027 – Jan 16, 2027: The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's January 2027 testing window runs January 2 to January 16, 2027. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- Mar 20, 2027 – Apr 3, 2027: The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's March/April 2027 testing window runs March 20 to April 3, 2027. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- May 22, 2027 – Jun 5, 2027: The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's May/June 2027 testing window runs May 22 to June 5, 2027. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- Jul 24, 2027 – Aug 7, 2027: The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's July/August 2027 testing window runs July 24 to August 7, 2027. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
Facts verified Oct 16, 2026 against Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
- The BOC athletic trainer certification exam contains 175 scored and unscored (experimental) items. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The BOC exam is scored on a 200–800 scale and the minimum passing score is 500. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The non-refundable BOC exam application fee is $100 for non-NATA members and $75 for NATA members. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The BOC exam fee is $495 for testing outside the United States or Canada ($375 plus a $120 international surcharge). (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The BOC allows unlimited retakes of its athletic trainer exam within one year of the date results are posted, subject to any state-board attempt limits. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The BOC certification exam is internet-based and administered in secure, proctored professional testing centers. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- To sit the BOC exam, a candidate must be confirmed by the program director of a CAATE-accredited athletic training program, or hold an International Arrangement credential. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- BOC exam results are posted in the candidate's BOC profile within two to four weeks from the last day of the exam window. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
- The BOC athletic trainer certification exam's October 2026 testing window runs October 3 to October 17, 2026. (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)
Facts verified Oct 16, 2026 against Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NATA-BOC Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 175 scored and unscored items | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Passing score | 500 on a 200–800 scale | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Exam fee (Application fee (non-NATA member)) | $100 non-refundable ($75 NATA members) | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Exam fee (Exam fee (outside US/Canada)) | $495 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Exam fee (Exam fee (US/Canada)) | $375 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Retake policy | Unlimited retakes within one year of results posting | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Delivery | Internet-based, proctored testing centers (Meazure Learning) | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Eligibility | CAATE program director confirmation (or International Arrangement credential) | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Score release | 2–4 weeks after the window closes | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Testing window (January 2027) | Jan 2–16, 2027 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Testing window (July/August 2027) | Jul 24–Aug 7, 2027 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Testing window (March/April 2027) | Mar 20–Apr 3, 2027 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Testing window (May/June 2027) | May 22–Jun 5, 2027 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
| Testing window (October 2026) | Oct 3–17, 2026 | Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer |
Facts verified Oct 16, 2026 against Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Pro Tip: Focus your NATA-BOC study time on areas where you score lowest. Most exam questions test application of knowledge, not memorization.
What the NATA BOC Exam Covers
Domain 1 — Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion
This domain covers pre-participation physical examinations, sport-specific conditioning programs, and environmental risk management. Expect questions on heat illness recognition and treatment (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, exertional heatstroke), lightning safety protocols, concussion screening tools, and nutritional counseling for athletes.
Domain 2 — Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis
Orthopedic special tests are heavily tested: Lachman and anterior drawer tests for the knee, empty-can and Neer impingement tests for the shoulder, Thompson test for the Achilles, and anterior talofibular ligament stress tests for the ankle. Neurological screening (dermatomes, myotomes, reflexes) and vital-sign assessment are also included.
Domain 3 — Immediate and Emergency Care
Questions focus on emergency action plan (EAP) activation, CPR and AED use, spinal motion restriction for suspected cervical injuries, management of anaphylaxis with epinephrine auto-injectors, hypovolemic shock recognition, and acute fracture and dislocation care including splinting protocols.
Domain 4 — Therapeutic Intervention
This domain covers therapeutic exercise progression (ROM → strengthening → functional), manual therapy techniques, and physical modalities. Study parameters for ultrasound (MHz, duty cycle, W/cm²), electrical stimulation (TENS, NMES, interferential), cryotherapy (ice vs. cold whirlpool), and hydrotherapy.
Domain 5 — Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility
Expect questions on SOAP note documentation, appropriate referral pathways, HIPAA privacy rules, OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards (standard precautions, exposure control plans), and professional ethics under the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.
- ✓Review all five BOC content domains and their percentage weights
- ✓Memorize orthopedic special tests for shoulder, knee, and ankle
- ✓Study heat illness progression and on-field management protocols
- ✓Practice CPR/AED steps and emergency action plan components
- ✓Learn ultrasound and electrical stimulation parameter ranges
- ✓Review spinal motion restriction techniques and indications
- ✓Study HIPAA and OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards
- ✓Complete taping and bracing technique review (ankle, knee, wrist)
- ✓Practice interpreting goniometric measurements and MMT grading
- ✓Take at least three full-length timed NATA BOC practice tests
Free NATA BOC Practice Tests Online
The PDF is an excellent offline resource, but the actual BOC exam is computer-adaptive — meaning question difficulty adjusts based on your answers. To build the stamina and test-taking strategy the adaptive format demands, pair your PDF study sessions with our full NATA BOC practice test online. The online tests include detailed rationales for every answer, helping you understand not just what is correct but why.
Aim to complete the PDF questions first, note any weak domains, then target those domains in the online question bank before your scheduled Prometric appointment.