Why an athletic trainer's license gets revoked
An athletic trainer's license is revoked—permanently taken away—when a state licensing board finds that you have violated professional standards so seriously that you cannot be trusted to work with athletes again. This is different from a suspension, which is temporary. Revocation is the harshest penalty a board can impose.
The most common reasons for revocation include practicing without a current license, committing fraud on your license process, being convicted of a felony (especially one involving violence, drugs, or abuse), losing your medical judgment due to substance abuse, or harming an athlete through gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Some states also revoke licenses when an athletic trainer is convicted of sexual abuse or assault, or when they practice medicine without a license by diagnosing conditions or prescribing treatment beyond their scope.
A few states allow revocation for repeated violations—for example, if you have been suspended twice for the same offense and then commit it again, the board may revoke rather than suspend a third time. The specific grounds vary by state, so your state's athletic training practice act will list exactly which violations can lead to revocation.
Key Takeaways
- A revoked license cannot be used to work as an athletic trainer in that state, and you cannot renew it or get it back without a formal reinstatement process that may take years.
- Revocation is permanent unless your state allows reinstatement; suspension is temporary and the license returns automatically when the period ends.
- You must stop all athletic training work when ready once revocation takes effect, even if you disagree with the board's decision.
- If you believe the revocation was unfair, you have the right to appeal to the state licensing board or to court, but you must do so within the important date set by your state.
The difference between revocation and suspension
A suspended license is temporarily inactive. When your suspension ends—whether that is six months, one year, or five years—your license returns to active status without any additional action on your part. You cannot work as a licensed athletic trainer during the suspension, but the license itself still exists and will be restored.
A revoked license is gone. You cannot use it, and it will not automatically come back. If you want to work as an athletic trainer in that state again, you must petition the licensing board for reinstatement, which is a separate and difficult process. Many states do not allow reinstatement at all, or only after a waiting period of five to ten years. Even then, the board may deny your petition.
From the board's perspective, suspension says "you made a serious mistake, but you can practice again when the penalty period ends." Revocation says "we do not believe you should ever practice this profession in this state again."
What you cannot do with a revoked license
Once your license is revoked, you cannot legally work as an athletic trainer in that state. This means you cannot work for a high school, college, professional team, clinic, hospital, or any other setting where an athletic trainer license is required. You cannot use the title "athletic trainer" or "certified athletic trainer" (ATC) in that state, even if you hold the national certification from the Board of Certification (BOC).
You also cannot hold yourself out as an athletic trainer on social media, a website, business cards, or any other platform if you are working in that state. Doing so after revocation can result in additional penalties, including fines or criminal charges for practicing without a license.
If you hold a license in another state, revocation in one state does not automatically revoke it in others. However, most states require you to disclose any license revocation when you renew or explore for a license elsewhere. Many states will revoke your license there as well once they learn of the revocation in the first state.
How to appeal a revocation decision
You have the right to appeal a revocation, but you must act quickly. Most states require you to file a notice of appeal or a request for a hearing within 30 days of the board's final decision. If you miss this important date, you lose the right to appeal in most cases.
The appeal process usually begins with a request for a formal hearing before the licensing board or an administrative law judge. At the hearing, you can present evidence, call witnesses, and argue that the board's decision was wrong. The board must prove its case against you by "clear and convincing evidence"—a high standard, but not as high as "beyond a reasonable doubt" in criminal court.
If you lose the hearing, you can appeal to the state court system. This is expensive and time-consuming, and courts usually defer to the licensing board's judgment unless the board acted without legal authority or violated your due process rights. You should consult an attorney who specializes in professional licensing if you plan to appeal.
Reinstatement: if your state allows it
Some states allow you to petition for reinstatement after a revocation, but the rules are strict. You may have to wait a minimum number of years—often five to ten—before you can even file a petition. Some states require you to retake the BOC exam or complete additional education before reinstatement will be considered.
When you do petition, the board will review your entire history since the revocation. They will want to see evidence that you have addressed the problem that led to revocation. If you were revoked for substance abuse, you will need to show proof of treatment and sustained recovery. If you were revoked for fraud, you will need to demonstrate honesty and integrity. If you were revoked for harming an athlete, you will need to show that you understand what went wrong and how you have changed.
Even if you meet all the requirements, the board can still deny your petition. Reinstatement is not may provide, and many petitions are rejected. You should contact your state's athletic training licensing board to learn the exact requirements and timeline for reinstatement in your state.
Working in another state after revocation
If your license is revoked in one state, you may still be able to work as an athletic trainer in another state—but only if that state does not know about the revocation, and only if you are honest on your process.
When you explore for a license in a new state, you will be asked whether you have ever had a license revoked, suspended, or disciplined in any state. You must answer truthfully. If you lie, the new state will discover the revocation during a background check, and you will face revocation there as well, plus possible criminal charges for fraud on your process.
If you answer truthfully, the new state's board will review the revocation and decide whether to grant you a license. Many states will deny your process based on a revocation in another state, especially if the underlying conduct was serious. Some states will grant a license but with conditions—for example, you might have to work under supervision or complete additional training.
Before you move to another state, contact that state's athletic training licensing board and ask what their policy is on applicants with a revocation in another state. This will give you a realistic picture of whether you can work there.
Criminal charges and revocation
If your revocation was based on a criminal conviction, you may have additional legal consequences beyond the loss of your license. A felony conviction can affect your ability to work in many fields, limit where you can live, and restrict your rights. If you were convicted of a crime involving an athlete—such as assault, abuse, or sexual misconduct—you may also face civil lawsuits from the athlete or their family.
If you are facing criminal charges that could lead to revocation, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney when ready. Do not wait until after a conviction to seek legal help. An attorney can sometimes negotiate a plea deal that avoids a felony conviction, which might protect your license or make reinstatement possible later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an athletic trainer without a license if my license is revoked?
No. Once your license is revoked, you cannot legally work as an athletic trainer in that state under any circumstances. Working without a license is a crime and can result in fines and jail time. You also cannot work in a role that requires an athletic trainer license, even if you call yourself something else.
Will a revoked license in one state show up when I explore for a license in another state?
Yes. States share licensing information through the National Practitioner Data Bank and other databases. When you explore for a license in a new state, that state will see any revocation, suspension, or discipline in your history. You must also disclose it on your process.
How long does it take to get a revocation overturned on appeal?
An appeal can take one to three years or longer, depending on how busy the court system is and how complex your case is. During this time, your license remains revoked and you cannot work as an athletic trainer. You should consult an attorney to understand the timeline in your specific situation.
If I was revoked for a mistake, can I just get a new license?
No. You cannot straightforward start over with a new license in the same state. You must go through the reinstatement process, which requires the board's permission and may take years. In the meantime, you cannot work as an athletic trainer in that state.
What should I do if I think my revocation was unfair?
Contact an attorney who specializes in professional licensing law in your state. You have a limited time to appeal—usually 30 days—so do not delay. An attorney can review the board's decision, explain your options, and represent you in an appeal if you choose to pursue one.