The PA Autism Insurance Act (Act 62) was signed into law on July 9, 2008, in an effort to protect individuals with autism and allow them to access affordable ABA therapy.
Prior to the passage of Act 62, nearly all children in Pennsylvania with autism received coverage for autism services exclusively through PA’s Medical Assistance Program. Private insurers typically did not cover autism services. The goal of Act 62 was to require certain private insurance companies to provide a basic level of coverage for autism services for children. Act 62 also introduced the Behavior Specialist license
Thanks to Act 62, applied behavior analysis (ABA), the process of applying interventions designed to improve socially significant behaviors, is more accessible than ever.
Autism insurance laws like PA’s Act 62 are taking shape throughout the nation, thereby increasing access to ABA, which is recognized as the leading therapy for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. New reforms in autism insurance coverage have also increased the number of states that have enacted—or are in the process of enacting—legislation aimed at the regulation and licensure of applied behavior analysts.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine oversees the regulation and licensure for behavior analysts in the state through the Behavior Specialist license.
Pennsylvania’s licensing law does not currently align with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Model Act or require Board Certificated Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification, although the ABA in PA, a non-profit advocacy organization and strong voice in the autism community in Pennsylvania, is urging the state to adopt the BACB’s minimum education and training requirements for applied behavior analysts.
Many practitioners of ABA make the decision to earn the certification on their own volition in keeping with widely accepted national standards. BCBA® certification requires earning an approved graduate degree in ABA or a similar field and taking and passing a national examination. Click here for detailed step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
At this time, the following steps satisfy the minimum requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania
Steps to Become a Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania
 | Earn a Master’s or Higher Degree in an Approved Area of Study |
 | Complete Experience in Functional Behavior Assessments |
 | Apply for a Behavior Specialist License with the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine |
Step 1. Earn a Master’s or Higher Degree in an Approved Area of Study
To earn a Behavior Specialist license in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine requires that you earn a master’s degree or higher or post-master’s certificate in one of the following fields:
- School, clinical, developmental or counseling psychology
- Special education
- Social work
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Professional counseling
- Behavioral analysis
- Nursing
- A related field (The Board of Medicine may request additional information to make a final determination whether the degree qualifies.)
The program you choose must be in a major course of study that bears “substantial relationship” to your behavior specialist practice.
You must also complete at least 90 hours of evidence-based coursework in:
- 3 hours of professional ethics
- 16 hours of assessment coursework or training
- 8 hours of crisis intervention
- 5 hours of family collaboration
- 18 hours of autism-specific coursework/training
- 16 hours of instructional strategies and best practices
- 8 hours of co-morbidity and medications
- 16 hours of addressing specific skill deficits training
The Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (part of the PA Office of Developmental Programs) oversees training for evidence-based coursework. You can find Bureau-approved training by visiting the Training Resource Center. There is no cost for these virtual training programs.
Step 2. Complete Experience in Functional Behavior Assessments
You must complete at least one year of experience in functional behavior assessments for children under the age of 21. This includes the development and implementation of behavioral support plans or treatment plans.
You must also complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical experience with individuals with behavioral challenges or 1,000 hours of experience in a related field with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Step 3. Apply for a Behavior Specialist License with the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine
Once you have satisfied the requirements for licensure, you must apply for a Behavior Specialist license through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
Your application must include the following completed forms:
- Verification of Clinical Experience (Form 4) – Must be completed and returned directly to the Board from the employer or clinical supervisor
- An official notification of information (Self Query) from the National Practitioner Data Bank – The “Response to your Self Query” must be uploaded with your online application
- Verification of Education (Form 2) – Must be completed and returned directly to the Board from your school
- Verification of Evidence-Based Coursework (Form 5) – Must be sent directly to the Board from your school
- Educational transcripts – Must be sent directly to the Board from your school
- Verification of Behavior Assessment Experience (Form 3) – Complete Section 1 and forward this form to your previous/current employer or clinical supervisor who will complete Section 2 of the form
- Letter of Good Standing – Provide this if you were/are licensed in any other state or jurisdiction
- Curriculum vitae/resume – Must include all periods of employment and unemployment (in chronological order) from graduation to undergraduate to present.
- State Police Criminal History Check – Request a Criminal History Record Information Report (CHRI) from the state police where you currently reside or work or where you’ve resided or worked in the last 10 years
You must also contact the FBI to obtain an FBI Criminal Background Check.
Upon receipt of your application, the Board of Medicine will send a letter of receipt, which will include an individual identification number that you can use to track the status of your application online. Most applications are processed within a 30-60-day timeframe.
Behavior specialist licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal notices are mailed about 120 days before the expiration date. You must complete 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements to renew your license.
ABA Practitioners in Pennsylvania
Exciting things are happening with ABA throughout Pennsylvania. In homes, in centers, and throughout communities, ABA services are being used to help children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and other developmental disorders reach their fullest potential. Just a sampling of leading ABA providers in Pennsylvania include:
The Children’s Institute, Pittsburgh
For more than 120 years, the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh has been dedicated to changing the lives of children and their families. Each year, they help more than 7,400 children and their families through education, autism services, physical and behavioral health services, early intervention, and family support services.
Their ABA program, which serves children between the ages of 18 months and 21 years, includes both individual and group therapy. ABA services here are coordinated with the institute’s other programs to ensure a comprehensive, holistic approach to care. They also boast a dynamic parent training program that helps teach families and caregivers behavioral techniques and principles they can use in the home.
Allegheny Behavior Analysis Services, LLC, Pittsburgh
Allegheny Behavior Analysis Services, LLC focuses on the implementation of ABA techniques to treat children with autism spectrum disorders. They work closely with families and children to ensure a customized approach and quality services. They offer one-on-one ABA and verbal behavior programming for autistic children between the ages of 2 and 10 in their clinic setting. The program emphasizes language building, communication, independence, and social skills, along with behavior reduction, replacement behaviors, and help with school transitions. They also offer parent and caregiver training.
Attain ABA Therapy, Philadelphia
Attain ABA Therapy brings ABA therapy into the home. This national ABA provider has locations throughout Pennsylvania, including Lehigh Valley, Scranton, Philadelphia, and the Greater Pittsburgh area. Therapists here provide children with one-on-one sessions, and they also train primary caregivers to implement the most effective techniques at home. They also offer a virtual ABA therapy program that brings therapy to the child, wherever they are.