Why was the ebp category established?

Is the NATABOC recertification process overwhelming? We have simplified it with this post 

UPDATED 8/10/2022, Originally posted 7/19/21

By Hannah Bernhardt PT, DPT, ATC/L & Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, ATC

Recertification years can be stressful as you try to complete your courses and ensure you have completed all the steps to get recertified. Our goal is to simplify the process and give you ideas for the best value in courses. There are a lot of ways to get your NATA CEUs and the recertification process doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

We have outlined the requirements and steps to make it easy for you. We have compiled a list of free NATA BOC CEUs as well as the best value in CEUs. But let's get straight to what many are trying to find...free NATA BOC CEU courses. The goal is to have the most comprehensive list so please email us if we are missing any. Also, please email us if any of the links have changed or are broken. We want this to be as simple as possible.

List of Free NATA BOC CEU Courses 

We have not personally completed all of these courses, but they are free. In order to help others trying to use this page, please let us know if there are additional ones we don't have listed or if a link is broken. Click HERE to contact us

ACL Study Day ***Newly added

This course is accredited for 6.0 CEUs for Athletic Trainers (BOC #P10154) through Dec 31, 2022. This course is outstanding and completely free. You are able to leave a donation for the authors, which I highly recommend

ASMI - American Sports Medicine Institute

Weekly conference on Monday and Fridays CST. Get 1.0 EBP free per conference attended. If you need a certificate, email Caroline May date of conference attended, speaker, and credit claiming (e.g. CEUs, CME, etc. as it is dual credential)

Andrews Institute Leadership Series

Below is a "complimentary seven‑part leadership series designed for personal and professional development for new and seasoned leaders. You still have an opportunity to learn from some of our top leaders with the below enduring courses." This series is 5.5 CEUs 

Cultivating and Utilizing a Diverse Professional Network 
Dustin Loveland, M.D., Surgical Director and Chief of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Children’s Health℠ Andrews Institute
 

From Clinician to Corporate Leader, How to Navigate New Waters 
Dai Chung, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and EVP, Physician Organizations for the Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Joint Pediatric Enterprise (JPE)
 

How to Achieve Business Goals in an Uncertain Environment 
Patrick Hyde, MBA, Senior Director of Strategic Finance at Children’s Health
 

Inclusion, The New Leader Competency 
Tina Bowers, MBA, CDM, Vice President, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Children’s Health
 

Looking Back at 30+ Years Worth of Leadership Lessons 
Vanessa Walls, MS, Executive Vice President of Children’s Health Northern Market
 

Program Building From The Ground Up 
Scott Burkhart, PsyD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist at Children’s Health Andrews Institute
 

The Andrews Model: Developing a Sustainable Model for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 
Chad Gilliland, ATC, MSM, Senior Director at Children’s Health Andrews Institute

Andrews Institute Sports Medicine Lecture Series

Accreditation
See individual courses in bundle for accreditation details. Up to 5.5, continuing education credits are available for Athletic Trainers, Physicians and Nurses by completing all courses.

AT Corner Podcast

Over 10 free CEU episodes

Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network

Provides free Category A and EBP Category CEUs for certified athletic trainers

Children's Health Continuing Education

You need to register. If you search "athletic training", you should see all of the applicable AT CEU. There seem to be some high level CEU. For example, Andrews Sports Medicine Lecture Series: Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in the Throwing Athlete

Andrews Institute Sports Medicine Lecture Series: Overuse Injuries in Youth Athletes *** Newly added

My Evolution in Managing SLAP Lesions Over the Past 40 Years ***Newly added **** by Dr. Andrews 

Children's Hospital Colorado Sports Medicine Center Continuing Education Series

The Children's Hospital Colorado has an entire online continuing education site. Many of the courses are AT applicable. On this page under the enduring courses section lists a lot of the sports and pediatric related courses Children’s Hospital Colorado (BOC AP#: P3765) is approved by the Board of Certification, to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. Most programs are eligible for  1 Category A hours/CEUs.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

Injuries in Gymnastics

Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis and Avulsion Fractures

Drug Free Sport International 

IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM & HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DRUG-TESTING POLICY (1.5 CEUs)

CHANGES TO NCAA POLICIES AND BYLAWS YOU NEED TO KNOW (1.5 CEUs)

"Policy changes within the NCAA often lead to confusion or the sharing of misinformation that may put athletes and collegiate sport programs at risk. Questions regarding new changes or interpretations of current bylaws are often directed to Drug Free Sport International and NCAA member services. This session aims to clarify common questions and new policy changes set forth by the NCAA. Through direct discussion with LaGwyn Durden, Director of the NCAA’s Sport Science Institute, attendees will receive accurate and up-to-date information they can apply to their sports programs right away."

Drug Free Sport International (BOC AP# P8729) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 1.5 Category A hours/CEUs.

Houston Methodist Athletic Training Continuing Education

Developing Essential Functional Movement Patterns in Youth Athletes (1.0 CEU)

Use of Macronutrients: How to Prepare Athletes of Different Levels

Use of Neurodynamic Techniques to Enhance Hamstring Recovery (0.5 CEU)

The Importance of Nutrition in Post-Concussion Recovery (0.5 CEU)

Dry Needling for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (1.0 CEU)

Patient Based Outcomes and Assessments in Practice (0.5 CEU)

University of Michigan Concussion Center

The Center holds live continuing education throughout the year that usually has NATA BOC CEUs with it. You can sign up for their newsletter to get alerted when they have them HERE 

MEDCO CEU Articles & Quizzes for BOC Certified Athletic Trainers

Exercise as a Treatment for Depression (0.5 CEUs)

The Effects of Jet Lag and Travel Fatigue on the Athletic Population (1.0 CEUs)

Care of the Critically Injured Football Player: Football Helmet Technology Review (1.0 CEUs)

The Triangles of Critical Care Approach to Sports Medicine Team Emergency Action Planning (1.0 CEUs)

Bacterial Meningitis Concerns in Collegiate Athletics (0.5 CEUs)

NATA Free Online CEU Opportunities

A member benefit that allows the owner to purchase quizzes. All members of NATA, who have renewed their membership in full, are eligible for 10 Free CEU Credits, a $150 value.

How to use Your FREE NATA CEU Credits

Sign in to your Professional Development Center Account

Search "Course Catalog" for desired course(s).

Select the course to purchase and check the "Buy with CEUs" box to apply CEU Credits and continue to Checkout.

CEU Credits will automatically be deducted from your total CEU Credits Available towards your Order.

The course you just purchased will now be found in your "Incomplete Courses" section of your Dashboard page.

The Sports Medicine Broadcast

Upper Extremity Neurological Exam (1.5 Units)

Patient Centered Care (1.5 Units)

Paradigm shift in ACL rehabilitation – Things to think about 

ATVantage Academy (20 free courses (usually 1 unit each))

You can get 20 CEU through ATVantage.

Legal 

Concussion

Prevention

Non-traditional setting ideas

Releve Sports Medicine Journal Club

1-2 monthly live CEU courses usually awarding 1 category A credit

Must attend live for NATA CEU credit

Gatorade Sport Science Institute

There are TONS of free courses through GSSI (over 20 NATA BOC CEUs) that are continually updated.

Best Value In NATA BOC CUEs

While free CEUs can be great and you can get close to the required number, sometimes free CEUs are worth what you pay for them. If you have to complete CEUs, you might as well get the most out of them. 

That’s why I recommend MedBridge as the best place to get high quality (including the sometimes hard to find EBP Category) CEUs for the lowest price. Basically you get unlimited CEUs for $200 (Using MedBridge Promo Code PLISKYATC). And if you get your MedBridge Subscription in 2021, your subscription will cross 2 reporting periods which means that you will essentially get 4 years of CEUs done for $200 (2020-2021 reporting period plus 2022-2023). 

While there are a lot of great courses on MedBridge, we are putting together a list of our favorites depending on your interest area. There are currently 97 hours of BOC-certified EBP and 620 hours of Cat A CEUs.

Here is a sample of what's available:

The Neuroscience of Sprains, Strains, Pain and Sports Performance by Adriaan Louw 

The Athlete’s Hip: Evaluation of Groin Pain by John Snyder

The Athlete’s Hip: Screening & Evaluation of Posterolateral Hip Pain by John Snyder

A full list of NATABOC EBP courses that are included in your Medbridge Subscription can be found HERE. The list of the 600+ hours of athletic training CEU can be found HERE. So basically you get unlimited NATABOC CEUs for $200.

Some states have a live CEU requirement, in that case, MedBridge has live webinars that are included in your $200 subscription. 

Recommended MedBridge Courses for Athletic Trainers 

This year is a CEU reporting period for my wife and me as PTs and ATCs. While most of my CEU was taken care of with research publications and presentations, Melody had to primarily complete hers online.

So as she completed her CEU, I had her identify her favorite and most valuable courses. Of course, she said that all of mine were the best :) but beyond that, here are her favorites for this year. If she had a rationale for why she liked it, it is included in quotes below.

*  = new or completely updated course

Lenny Macrina

"You gotta love his accent. Really strong evidenced-based courses with videos of hands-on techniques"

 Biomechanics of the Shoulder*

 The Shoulder: Traumatic and Post Operative Injuries*

 The Shoulder: Overuse Injuries in Athletes*

Stephen Graef 

"Excellent information to be aware of for mental health. Stephen is a very engaging speaker and so easy to listen to, and he gives very practical advice and information."

 Psychology of Injury

 Common Mental Health Concerns in Athletes  

Todd Arnold, MD

"Easy to understand Todd’s lectures. Practical and helpful with excellent information and great reminders for care."

 Infectious Disease for the Sports Therapist*

 Pharmacology in Sport Part 1: NSAIDs and Pain Medications*

 Pharmacology in Sport Part 2: Asthma, Antidepressants, and Skin Infection*

 Concussion in Sport Part 1: Pathophysiology, Recognition, & Management* 

 Concussion in Sport Part 2: Clinical Evaluation and Return to Play*

 Concussion in Sport: Practical Case Studies*

Phil Plisky 

Phil is a great guy, my husband, and also happens to know what he is talking about :)

"Return to sport testing is so important and too often overlooked. It needs to be second nature for all therapists and athletic trainers. Too many athletes are returning before they’re ready and more injuries are occurring. That’s not how we want job security. We want them returning at high function and performance without future injury and that is our success."

 Maximizing Arm Health and Recovery in Baseball Players (Recorded Webinar)*

 Secrets to Engineering Athletic Performance: From Youth to Professionals (Recorded Webinar)*

 Discharge and Return to Sport Part 1: Know When They Are Ready*

 Discharge and Return to Sport Part 2: Lower Body*

 Discharge and Return to Sport Part 3: Upper Body*

 Discharge and Return to Sport: Case Studies*

 Preparticipation Physical Evaluation: Musculoskeletal*

 Sports Performance and Injury Prevention*

Anne Mucha

"Excellent courses. I usually don’t consider classifying concussions and this was very clear on how beneficial that is. Easy to understand presenters. Good addition to my practice to screen using the VOMS."

Oculomotor Assessment in Concussion

Concussion Assessment: An Overview

Craig Phifer

“Craig's courses are excellent and should be viewed by every PT and AT. We should all practice this way.”

Enhancing Patient Engagement Throughout the Course of Care*

Building Therapeutic Alliance in the Patient Evaluation*

Understanding Therapeutic Alliance and Patient Expectations*

Kyle Kiesel

"This is an excellent course that describes the research regarding evaluating movement and using a regional interdependence approach"

Clinical Movement Dysfunction: An Evidence-Based Overview*

Kyle Kiesel and Phil Plisky 

"I’m totally on board with this being an integral part of our practice"

Strategies for Musculoskeletal Health Promotion*

Musculoskeletal Self-Screen: Getting and Keeping the Ideal Patient* 

Katie Whetstone 

"Practical review of emergency management strategies ensuring you are using the latest evidence in those situations... Good case and Q+A with Todd."

Emergency Management of Athletes With Spine and Visceral Injuries*

Emergency Management of Skeletal Injuries*

Emergency Management of Soft-Tissue Injuries*

Emergency Management of Cardiovascular Conditions*

Protective Sports Equipment and Proper Fitting *

Environmental Considerations for the Athlete*

How to Complete Your Online CEU Reporting for 2021: 

1. Go to BOC Central Log-In which is found on the top right corner of the main page of the BOC website. http://www.bocatc.org
2. The dashboard will show the requirements.
3. The CEU reporting form is currently available. Click on Menu --> Enter/Report CE Activity.
4. Enter the CE activity information
   
   

Keep track of Category, # of CEUs, Course Information, and Date of Course on your online reporting form.

Requirements for 2021 Re-Cert: 

1. 50 CEUs are required per reporting year due 12/31/2021. 
• 40 CEUs from Categories A,B,C,D with 10 CEUs from EBP
• ATs certified in 2019 or before must complete 50 CEUs, which must include at least 10 Evidence Based Practice (EBP) CEUs.
• ATs certified in 2020 must complete 25 CEUs, which must include at least 5 Evidence Based Practice (EBP) CEUs.
2. Emergency Cardiac Care: Provider must demonstrate skills thus in-person and hybrid courses with a skills component only. Must cover adult, pediatric, and second resuer CPR, airway obstruction and barrier devices 
3. Payment of BOC Certification Annual Maintenance Fee -- $39 for NATA members, $55 for non-members

Confused about Categories?

Don’t worry because it seems complex, but is not as bad as it seems! 

EBP (Must have 10): EBP is a designation given by the BOC to promote evidence into clinical decision making. 

These programs can include approved courses, post certificate course work from a CAATE approved program, ACCME approved courses, graduate of PhD/EdD/DSc/DAT if dissertation is athletic training related, presenter/author of EBP approved program, CAATE accredited AT residency/fellowship, or author of a peer-reviewed journal article addressing patient-oriented clinical research or translational research. 

Category A (no min; max of 40): These are what you normally think of for continuing education such as conferences, courses, online webinars, etc. 

Category B (no min; max of 33): Professional and Scholarly Activities 

Category C (no min; max of 40): Post-certificate college/university course work; must be within the domains identified in Practice Analysis, 7th Edition

Category D (no min; max of 28): Non-BOC approved providers; Activities by non-BOC approved providers, videos, dvds, multimedia presentations/webinars

BOC has a program directory where you can search for programs and gain further details. 

Still want more information: BOC has a more detailed handbook about CEUs: 

BOC Recertification Checklist

http://www.bocatc.org 

• Enter CEUs on BOC Website 
• Pay fees for both 2020 and 2021
• Enter CPR Course Certificate
• Update personal information

If there are other free courses or other helpful information, please email us to let us know and we will add it.

Author Information

Hannah Bernhardt PT, DPT, ATC/L is a physical therapist and athletic trainer and orthopedic resident at Forefront Therapy in Evansville, IN. She is a certified athletic trainer and also holds certifications in SFMA Level 1 and LSVT BIG. As a PT student at the University of Evansville, she was the coordinator and session leader of ACErcise, a probono fitness class for clients with neurological disorders. She has developed an interest in treating chronic conditions and persistent pain through her clinical experiences at the University of Evansville in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy.