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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.