In 2009, Oklahoma became one of the first states in the nation to establish licensing laws for behavior analysts with the creation of the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB). The OLBAB, the dedicated licensing authority for behavior analysts, operates as part of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services Division.
The OLBAB requires candidates to hold the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) credential as a condition for licensure.
It is important to distinguish between these two terms:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification – a national certification that is granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a requirement for state licensure in Oklahoma
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst license – the state license you must earn through the OLBAB to work as a behavior analyst in Oklahoma
The OLBAB also licenses assistant applied behavior analysts, another professional class that is discussed in this guide.
Follow these steps to become a licensed ABA in Oklahoma:
 | Earn a Graduate Degree in the Field of Behavior Analysis |
 | Complete Qualifying Supervised Experience |
 | Pass the BCBA® Exam |
 | Apply with the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board |
Step 1. Earn a Graduate Degree in the Field of Behavior Analysis
To qualify for the requisite Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification exam, sponsored by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), you must earn a master’s or higher degree in behavior analysis or in a similar field and meet BACB curriculum requirements.
All master’s and doctoral degree programs accredited/recognized through the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or accredited by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) meet the educational requirements for BCBA® certification.
You can also meet BACB curriculum requirements by earning a graduate degree in a recognized field and then completing an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence (VCS).
The BACB may also approve the curriculum from a program that does not include a VCS. This process requires a course-by-course review by your department chair, dean, or BCBA-certified VCS Coordinator. After reviewing your course materials, they must complete a Non-Verified Course Content Attestation that is sent to the BACB.
*Note: The ABAI is discontinuing its VCS system on December 31, 2025. Beginning in 2026, your university must provide proof that the coursework standards have been met through a course-by-course review.
Fully accredited, qualifying master’s degree programs are available as both online and in-person programs.
While completing your behavior analysis program, you will study subjects that include:
- Ethical and legal issues
- Behavior change methodologies
- Single subject research designs
- Skinner’s writings on applied and theoretical behavior analysis
- Behavioral assessments
- Applied behavior analysis introduction
- Advanced behavior analysis
The most competitive behavior analysis programs include a thesis and supervised field experience. The thesis is your opportunity to leave your individual mark on the field of behavior analysis. It can incorporate field experience you’ve had in practica, internships, and other supervised activities.
Prerequisites for ABA Master’s Programs
Most applied behavior analysis master’s programs accept an undergraduate degree in any related major:
- Education
- Counseling
- Psychology
- Special education
- Social work
Examples of undergraduate course prerequisites you may need to fulfill include:
- Research methods
- General psychology
- Applied behavior analysis
- Conditioning and learning
- Developmental psychology
Education Requirements for Assistant Behavior Analysts
To earn state license from the OLBAB as an assistant behavior analyst, you must earn and maintain the BACB’s Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) credential. This is earned by passing the BCaBA® certification exam. Qualifying for this requires that you have a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution and complete coursework in the following subjects:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Ethical and professional conduct
- Research methods in behavior analysis
- Principles and concepts of behavior analysis
Step 2. Complete Qualifying Supervised Experience
Gaining eligibility to take the BCBA® certification exam also means meeting the BACB’s experience requirements, which involves completing between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. The total number of hours you’ll need to complete will depend on the level of supervision you receive during this time.
To qualify, any supervised experience you complete must conform to these standards:
- Develop of performance expectations
- Include behavioral skills training, observation, and delivery of performance feedback
- Model ethical, professional, and technical behavior
- Provide guidance for behavioral case decision making, conceptualization, and problem solving
- Include review of written materials like reports, behavior programs, and data sheets
- Provide evaluation and oversight regarding the effects of the behavioral service delivery and supervision
- Up to half of the supervision can be conducted in small groups
- The supervised experience must be conducted according to a written contract pre-established between you and your supervisor
If you choose to earn an ABAI- or APBA-accredited graduate degree, your program will likely include a practicum during which you’ll begin earning the required fieldwork hours for certification. Your program director will help you locate and secure a qualified supervisor and site where you’ll complete your fieldwork hours.
Supervision Requirements for Assistants Behavior Analysts
Candidates for the BCaBA® credential must earn between 1,000 and 1,300 hours of supervised fieldwork hours to qualify for certification.
Step 3. Sit for the BCBA® Certification Exam
You must apply with the BACB to take the BCBA® exam once you’ve satisfied the education and experience requirements. Once the BACB approves your application, they’ll send you instructions for registering to take the exam through Pearson VUE.
You’ll be able to choose an examination date, time, and testing location.
Pearson VUE testing centers in Oklahoma include:
- Norman
- Oklahoma City
- Ardmore
- Stillwater
- Lawton
- Pryor
- Tulsa
Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA®) Exam Content
You’ll have four hours to complete this computer-based exam, which is comprised of 175 multiple-choice questions. Topics evaluated cover two main areas and are divided into these categories:
- Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations: 5%
- Concepts and Principles: 14%
- Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation: 12%
- Experimental Design: 7%
- Ethical and Professional Issues: 13%
- Behavior Assessment: 13%
- Behavior-Change Procedures: 14%
- Selecting and Implementing Interventions: 11%
- Personnel Supervision and Management: 11%
Examination Requirements for Assistant Behavior Analysts
You apply for the BCaBA® exam with the BACB and schedule through Pearson VUE following the same process detailed for behavior analysts.
The BCaBA® exam content is similar to that for the BCBA® exam.
Step 4. Apply with the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board
Behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts follow the same process when it comes to making an application for licensure with the state board. You’ll need to provide your current BCBA® certificate number and expiration date.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Finance Division
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
License Renewal
Both the behavior analyst license and assistant BA license must be renewed by April 30 of each odd-numbered year. The renewal application is identical to the original application.
As a condition for renewal, you must maintain your national certification with the BACB. This also involves biannual renewal and requires:
- BCBA®s – 32 units of approved continuing education
- BCaBA®s – 20 units of approved continuing education and maintenance of supervision requirements
At least four hours of continuing education must relate to ethics. Approved BACB continuing education can include:
- College and university coursework
- Scholarly activities
- Retaking and passing the certification exam
- Education from approved providers
- Teaching or instruction activities
Getting to Know Leading ABA Providers in Oklahoma
Opportunities abound for BCBAs® in Oklahoma, with the number of ABA providers here growing every year. The following is a small sample of some of the leading ABA centers providing essential services and resources for Oklahoma’s children and adults with autism and their families:
Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, Oklahoma City
Founded in 2015, Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education provides clinic-based ABA therapy. The clinic setting offers a structured environment where children can learn developmental and age-appropriate skills such as daily living, communication, pre-academic, and social readiness. ABA training here includes regular parent and caregiver training. Their team of BCBAs utilizes personalized, one-on-one treatment plans for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Learning Collaborative, Oklahoma City
Offering a wide range of autism therapy for children in the greater Oklahoma City region, Autism Learning Collaborative’s services are focused on:
- Behavior planning
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Language and communication
- Play skills
- Pre-academic skills
- Self-help
- Social skills
Their center-based services utilize the principles of ABA and include work with families and collaboration with community resources to ensure children have everything they need to succeed.
Therapy and Beyond, Oklahoma City
With three locations in the Oklahoma City region, including Broken Arrow and Jenks, Therapy and Beyond is a leader in ABA therapy in Oklahoma. They provide intensive, one-on-one sessions that are individualized for each family. They also offer speech and OT services to help children reach their fullest potential.
BlueSprig Autism, Edmond
BlueSprig Autism provides individualized ABA treatment to children in the Edmond area. Services here are focused on teaching life and social skills training to children with autism. They also offer personalized programs for adolescents ages 7-18 through their center-based, after-school ABA therapy programs. Their Branching Out: Explorers Program for ages 7-12 focuses on core skill building through interactive activities, and their Branching Out: Trailblazers Program for ages 13-18 provides targeted interventions for adolescents, with an emphasis on life skills, social skills, and independence.