Applied behavior analysis (ABA) certification ensures that providers of behavior analysis services are qualified to provide ABA services to clients with a variety of skill deficits, needs, and problem behaviors. Certification from the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) is indicative of an advanced level of knowledge and experience and is now a requirement common among employers.
Many states have also adopted BACB’s credentials for the purpose of licensing ABA practitioners in three, distinct roles:
- Applied Behavior Analysts – BCBA® or BCBA®-D Credential
- Assistant Applied Behavior Analysts – BCaBA® Credential
- Registered Behavior Technicians – RBT® Credential
Certification has also become a standard requirement for insurance reimbursement for ABA services provided for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
BACB Certifications for Providers of Applied Behavior Analysis Therapies
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) was created in 1998 to establish professional qualifications for professionals that provide ABA services. BACB credentials adhere to the international standards developed by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and its Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board (BAAB), which accredits undergraduate and graduate programs in ABA.
The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is also creating a program to accredit master’s degree in behavior analysis. The APBA is expected to begin taking applications for accreditation by 2026. You can read more about this upcoming accreditation application process here.
The BACB offers credentials for three roles at four different levels:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA®-D) (Considered the same credential as the BCBA® and does NOT grant a higher level of authority; requires first earning the BCBA®)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®)
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®)
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®)
The Association for Behavior Analysts’ (APBA) Model Licensure Act serves as the standard foundation for BACB professional certifications and behavior analyst licensing laws.
As of December 2024, the number of behavior analyst professionals holding a BACB credential included:
- RBT®: 196,579
- BCaBA®: 5,479
- BCBA®: 74,125
The BACB offers four certification levels that reflect varying education and experience qualifications among professionals who practice applied behavior analysis:
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®)
The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®) credential is designed for paraprofessionals who practice under the close supervision of a BCBA®, BCaBA®, or BCBA®-D and implement behavior-analytic services. The job duties of RBT®s are based on individual training, experience, and competence qualifications, although the scope of their work is ultimately determined by a supervising BCBA®, BCaBA®, or BCBA®-D.
RBT®s must be supervised by at least one responsible certificant listed on the BACB Certification Registry. The chosen certificant must ensure that the RBT® always works under the supervision of a BACB certificant.
To become an RBT®, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Possess high school diploma or the equivalent
- Complete at least 40 hours of training
- Complete a criminal background check
- Pass the RBT® Competency Assessment
- Pass the RBT® exam
RBT®s must pass the RBT® Competency Assessment on an annual basis to qualify for renewal.
As of January 2026, RBT® certification will occur every two years. The RBT® Competency Assessment will be eliminated for renewal. Instead, RBTs® will be required to complete at least 12 hours of in-service training, continuing education, and/or university coursework during their two-year certification period.
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®)
The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) is an undergraduate certification for professionals in behavior analysis. BCaBA®s cannot practice independently and must be supervised by at least one BCBA® or BCBA®-D.
They can, however, supervise the work of RBT®s and others who implement behavior-analytic interventions, provided they complete additional training and continuing education requirements for supervisors.
To become a BCaBA®, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Complete an ABAI-accredited bachelor’s degree OR an undergraduate degree and behavior-analytic coursework
- Complete between 1,000 and 1,300 hours of supervised practical fieldwork in behavior analysis
- Take and pass the BCaBA® exam
BCaBA®s must document ongoing supervision and complete specific continuing education requirements to qualify for renewal. BCaBA®s who provide supervision must complete additional training and continuing education requirements.
Note: BCaBA®s interested in becoming BCBA®s can apply to take the BCBA® exam once they have completed the required graduate-level degree, coursework, and supervised experience.
You can find more information about becoming a BCaBA® here.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®)
BCBA® certification is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. BCBA®s are independent practitioners of behavior-analytic therapies and services. Certification also allows these professionals to supervise the work of BCaBA®s and RBT®s, provided they complete additional training and continuing education requirements.
To become a BCBA®, applicants must:
- Coursework: Earn an acceptable graduate degree from an accredited university and complete specific graduate coursework in behavior analysis.
You can meet the educational requirements for certification by:
- Earning a master’s or doctoral degree that’s accredited by either the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) or the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI); OR
- Earning a master’s degree or above in a relevant field and completing an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence (VCS); OR
- Earning a master’s degree or above in a relevant field and meeting BACB course content allocation requirements; you must provide the BACB with proof through a course-by-course review and completion of a Non-Verified Course Content Attestation by your department chair, dean, or BCBA®-certified VCS Coordinator.
- Practical Experience – Complete between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised practical fieldwork in behavior analysis
- BABC Exam: Take and pass the BCBA® exam
You can find more information about becoming a BCBA® here.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA®-D)
The BCBA®-D is a doctoral designation for BCBA®s who have completed doctoral-level training in behavior analysis. It is not a separate credential and does not grant any additional privileges beyond the BCBA®. In other words, BCBA®s and BCBA®-Ds both function as independent practitioners of behavior-analytic therapies and services.
To qualify for the BCBA®-D credential, applicants must be an active BCBA® in good standing and meet ONE of the following requirements:
- Complete a doctoral degree program that is accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
- Complete a doctoral degree and:
- Complete a behavior-analytic dissertation and provide a copy of your published dissertation showing that it meets behavior-analytic dissertation requirements; OR
- Pass at least four behavior-analytic courses as part of the doctoral program; OR
- Receive a formal mentorship from a faculty member holding the BCBA® credential; OR
- Author at two peer-reviewed journal articles that are behavior-analytic in nature
- Complete a doctoral degree from a qualifying institution and then engage in postdoctoral re-specialization by:
- Completing at least 1,800 hours of experience in applied behavior analysis through a postdoctoral employment experience or postdoctoral fellowship that was supervised by a BCBA®; OR
- Authoring two peer-reviewed journals that are behavior-analytic in nature during a postdoctoral training experience
BCBA®-Ds must follow the same maintenance requirements as BCBA®s, which includes completing continuing education requirements. BCBA®-Ds who want to provide supervision must complete additional training and continuing education requirements.
You can find more information about becoming a BCBA®-D here.