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Athletic trainer, coaching client on work with medicine ball in a professional gym and fitness setting.
Professions

Athletic Trainer

Understand the requirements of this profession to be a credential holder in WI. 

Credential Statute: Wis. Stat. Sec 448 
Credential Code: Chapter AT

  • Disclaimer: Please review WI statute for full professional requirements. 

Related Boards: Medical Examining Board – Athletic Trainers Affiliated Credentialing Board


Overview

This page contains all information required for the Athletic Trainer credential. Each way to apply has a special subsite denoting specific requirements. Renewal information, forms, and legal information can be found on this page.

Application Methods

Initial Licensure

For those applying for a WI Athletic Trainer license for the first time.

Reciprocal Licensure

For applicants who hold a similar other-state credential.

Renewal After 5 Years

For applicants whose previous WI license expired more than 5 years ago, or who reapply after a licensure lapse due to revocation, voluntary surrender, or a board order requiring reapplication.

Bridge Temporary Credential

This temporary license is for health care providers who seek to immediately begin practicing in Wisconsin while their application for a permanent license is under review.

Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Renewal Information

For a list of renewal dates please see: Renewal Date Page

To Renew:

You will be able to renew your credential approximately 4 weeks prior to your license expiring. You will receive an email to the email address on file with instructions on how to renew.

  1. ​Online Log In: Go to LicensE

  2. Select "Renew My License"

  3. Complete the application

  4. Upload any required documents

  5. Submit payment

  6. See fees list here: Credential Fees

Attestations: CPR/AED, Insurance, Practice as an Athletic Trainer and Evaluation and Treatment Protocol

To renew your Wisconsin athletic trainer license, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Requirements include:

  • Complete 30 continuing education hours before your renewal deadline.

  • All continuing education must be approved by the Board of Certification (BOC).

Renewal Period:

The two-year reporting period runs from July 1 of an even-numbered year through June 30 of the next even-numbered year (for example, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028).

First Licensing Period:

If this is the first two-year period after your license was issued, you do not need to complete continuing education before your first renewal.

Evaluation and Treatment Protocol

A licensee may engage in athletic training only in accordance with an evaluation and treatment protocol that is established by the athletic trainer in accordance with Wisconsin Statue and recorded on a copy of Form 2517. (see link below)

This protocol form is to be completed by the licensee and must be filed at your place of employment. Please do not return this form to the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Payment Information

  • You can pay all fees associated with your credential by going to LicensE. 

  • You will be asked to pay automatically at the end of your application. 

  • You can pay with a credit or debit card, or via an automated clearing house or (ACH) payment.  

Please note, using an ACH payment can increase credential processing times by 3-5 business days.

You can view a list of fees for initial credentials and renewing your credential here: 

Credential Fees

Predetermination & Legal Information

The term credential is used universally to mean license, certification, permit, registration, enrollment and authorization.

  • Applicants with convictions, who do not already have a credential, may apply for a predetermination. Predetermination is an optional, first step that happens before you would submit an initial credential application while meeting all credentialing requirements (e.g., education, training, examination, etc.)

    • To apply for a predetermination, log into LicensE.

    • If you have not created an account, you will first need to register.

    • After creating your account, log in, and select “Apply for a Pre-Determination.”

    •   Select the type of credential you would like to apply for.

    •   Follow all application instructions and upload all required documents.

  • If the Department decides your record would not disqualify you, you can then apply for the actual credential and meet all the typical requirements like education, training, and exams.

  • You may skip the predetermination process and submit your initial application for your credential. You must complete all steps to meet the credentialing requirements such as education, training, exams, and disclose your conviction record on your application.  Convictions and pending charges will be reviewed as part of the application process.

  • Some applications require review by Department Legal staff.   

  • This can be for a number of reasons, including but not limited to disclosure of convictions or pending charges, professional discipline, malpractice, termination, medical condition, supervised experience and application via reciprocity/endorsement.   

  • Applications that require legal review will require additional processing time.  

  • An application in the status “Legal File Preparation” is with DSPS and under review. 

Contact Us

Support Ticket
Submit a support ticket on LicensE and click "request support." Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your concern so we can work to answer your question with a one touch resolution. 

Call
608-266-2112

Email
dsps@wisconsin.gov

Office Hours
7:45am-4:30pm
Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI, 53705

Note: The in-person office does not process same day.

LicensE

  • LicensE at (license.wi.gov) is a self-guided online system where you can manage your professional credential from start to finish. 

  • You will still need to review the requirements for the credential you are applying to. These can be found on the A-Z profession page. 

  • With LicensE you can: 

    • Apply for a credential for the first time, with steps guiding you to upload your application documents, and pay all required fees.  

    • Renew an existing credential when it is time, to keep your credential active.  

    • View or download your credential for your records or verification.  

    • Update your personal information, including your phone number, email, and mailing address 

    • Submit support tickets and receive responses to your email from our staff experts.  

    • Allow third parties to review and upload required documents on your behalf 

    • Check the status of someone's credential using the public LicensE look up. 

  • If you have never held a credential, you will need to create an account the first time you are on LicensE. 

    • To create an account, visit LicensE. You will then select “register for an individual” if you are applying for a license held by an individual, or “register for an organization” if you are applying for a license held by an organization.  

    • If you are not sure if the license you are applying for is an individual or organization license, please visit our A-Z professions page and review the profession page for more information.  

  • When you create an account, please be sure to use an email you will always have access to.  

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