The State Board of Education amended Rule 6A-14.030, "Instructions and Awards in Community College" to create an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC). This amendment became effective July 1, 1996. The Advanced Technical Certificate has been identified as a program of instruction consisting of a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 45 college credit hours, which have been taken by students who have already received an Associate in Science degree and are seeking an advanced specialized planning program of study to supplement their Associate degree.

An Advanced Technical Certificate will be awarded post Associate in Science Degree after completing a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 45 credit hours in one of the following health science specialty areas. All course work must be completed with grades of "Satisfactory" or "C" or higher.