ANNOUNCEMENTS

KEEP IT “ATC”

After much debate in recent Board of Directors’ meetings, the Board of the Illinois Athletic Trainers’ Association is suggesting that certified athletic trainers utilize the abbreviation ATC following their name.  The Board asks that you use this in place of the ATC/L that many of our members are currently using.  This change is made in response to a recent article in the NATA News, which argued that ATC is a registered trademark and may not be changed or added to in any way.   The Board also recognizes that the licensure of athletic trainers in Illinois was an important step when it was made.  However, since a license is necessary in order to practice athletic training in the State of Illinois, an abbreviation depicting that license is not required.  However, for those members that desire to use an abbreviation to show licensure, the Board recommends LAT.  In keeping with the recommendations of the NATA News article, LAT should be listed first if it is used.  This would be followed by ATC or any other credentials that a person holds.   The Journal of the Illinois Athletic Trainers’ Association made this change in February, 2003.  We hope that this is a change that all members will soon make.