Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum.  Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition.  Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences.  More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.

Athletic training http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_training  is not the same profession as personal training http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_training.

And certified athletic trainers work with more than just athletes – they can be found just about anywhere http://www.nata.org/about AT/worksettings.htm that people are physically active.   

To become certified athletic trainers, students must graduate with bachelors or masters degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification.  Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.

For more information go to:   http://www.nata.org/consumer/index.htm