Texas Athletic Trainer License Renewal Requirements and Verification

In the state of Texas, an Athletic Trainer must renew their license every 2 years from the date of issuance. This article will review 1) the requirements to renew a Texas athletic training license and 2) the Athletic Trainer CEU requirements for Texas.

Athletic Trainer License Renewal in Texas

As of 2016, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) manages all aspects of licensing for Athletic Trainers. In order to renew your Athletic Trainer’s license in Texas, you must satisfy the following:

  1. Fill out the renewal application (online)
  2. Pay the $160 renewal fee
  3. Complete the Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Prevention Training and provide proof of completion
  4. Complete AT CEU requirements (40 hours)

Athletic Trainer CEU Requirements in Texas

To renew an AT license, you must meet the following continuing education requirements during your 2-year licensed period:

  • 40 Hours of continuing education, 2 Hours of which must be in Concussion Management.
  • Certification in Emergency Cardiac Care from Basic Life Support (Healthcare Provider level or above).

The two-year period starts on the first day of the month your license is issued and ends on the expiration date of the license.

Ways to Complete CEU Licensing Requirements

Most ATs in Texas complete their CEU requirements through accredited courses, in-person or online. But you may be able to seek CEU credit for relevant academic or professional activity if it meets Texas’ licensing requirements.

Besides taking CEU courses, you may earn CEU credit the following ways:

  • Instruct a course or workshop on sports medicine or athletic training without compensation (not to exceed 5 hours of CEU credit)
  • Publish a book or article on sports medicine or athletic training (not to exceed 5 hours of CEU credit)
  • Serve as a skills examiner at the state licensure exam (not to exceed 1 hour of CEU credit)
  • Complete an online education program in sports medicine or athletic training
  • Complete an approved course on Human Trafficking Prevention 

What CEU Courses are Acceptable?

In order to qualify towards license renewal, continuing education courses for Athletic Trainers must be provided by approved institutions, such as a national, regional, or state healthcare professional association or an accredited college or university.

Otherwise, providers that don’t meet these requirements must appeal to TDLR to become an approved institution. If the provider is accepted, then any relevant courses may qualify towards your CEU credit.

For a full list of acceptable activities, check the Athletic Trainers Admin Rules.

Online Continuing Education for Athletic Trainers

Prior to 2016, Athletic Trainers could only complete 8 hours of CEUs online. Now, Athletic trainers in Texas can complete all 40 hours of continuing education online, including the Concussion Management requirement.

Best Online CEU Courses for Athletic Trainers

Athletic Trainers in Texas  may now complete all 40 continuing education hours online. Not only is this more affordable and convenient, it also gives Athletic Trainers the opportunity to learn from high-level instructors as part of their license renewal.

Having access to a world-class instructor – without needing to travel – is one of the best benefits of taking online continuing education courses for Athletic Trainers.  

When I look for online CEU courses, the three criteria I set are as follows:

Top Quality Instructors – As a health care provider, I want the best for my patients, so it’s important to me that the course is led by a respected instructor.

Convenient Platform – I prefer learning through video lessons but also like a mix of text and outline via PowerPoint. The best online CEU provider will accommodate visual and auditory learners as well as allow you to view the content on mobile platforms.

Affordable Courses – Continuing education can be expensive, so whenever possible, I aim to maximize my education budget while learning from top-notch instructors.

MedBridge: Athletic Training Continuing Courses Onlinemedbridge promo

Now that Texas allows Athletic Trainers to complete all CEUs online, MedBridge has become a huge resource for ATs seeking license renewal.

With MedBridge, you can complete an unlimited number of CEU courses for less than the cost of a weekend course.  

We’ve partnered with them to provide a MedBridge discount for Athletic Trainers. Use the promo code: “PTProgress” to save $150 on your membership. For just $200, you’ll have access to the top-rated online continuing education courses for Athletic Trainers, PTs & OTs. It’s all included.

As a PT, I use MedBridge to complete my online CEUs because it meets my criteria of quality, convenience, and affordability.

One of my favorite features of the platform is the flexible playback. I can watch courses at 2x speed and fast forward or rewind the video based on the slide.  

Let’s say you wanted to quickly review a few points you remember seeing in an earlier slide. You can click back to that slide and play the video for that very part of the lecture.

Texas Athletic Trainer License Renewal Questions

When can I renew my Athletic Trainer’s license?

You can file for renewal anytime during the renewal period, but your application must be postmarked before your license expiration in order to avoid a late renewal fee.

For how long is an AT license valid in Texas?

An Athletic Trainer license is valid for two years following the date issued.

Late Renewal Fee for Athletic Trainer License in Texas:

  • Less than 90 Days expired = 1.5x renewal fee
  • More than 90 days expired but less than 18 months = 2x renewal fee
  • More than 18 months expired but less than 3 years = Contact TDLR

How can I verify a Texas Athletic Trainer License?

You can verify any Texas Athletic Trainer license here.

What questions do you have about renewing an athletic trainer license in Texas?

Tim Fraticelli DPT, MBA, CFP®

Tim Fraticelli is a Physical Therapist, Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of PTProgress.com. He loves to teach PTs and OTs ways to save time and money in and out of the clinic, especially when it comes to documentation or continuing education. Follow him on YouTube for weekly videos on ways to improve your financial health.