The state of Utah began licensing applied behavior analysts (ABAs), assistant applied behavior analysts (AABAs) in 2015.
Licensing is handled by the state Department of Occupations and Licensing (DOPL) under authority granted by Title 58 of the Utah Code. Amendments were made to Title 58 in the 2015 General Session of the state legislature to add to existing rules for psychologist licensing under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act.
That Act created the Behavioral Health Board, which establishes license qualifications, develops rules and processes for applying and renewing for those licenses. The actual mechanism of licensing is handled directly by DOPL.
A new law was passed in 2024 to amend Title 58 with some updates, including new licenses for Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Coaches. Consequently, ABA regulation and practice in the profession are going through some shifts that are still being worked out in the real world.
BACB Certification and ABA Licensure in Utah
It’s not a technical requirement that you earn BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification through the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), but the qualifications are so similar to those credentials that it’s only natural to go that route. It’s also a wise way to future-proof your credentials while keeping your options open for inter-state mobility.
Utah does not provide temporary or reciprocal licensing for ABAs; however, licensure by endorsement is available.
Behavioral Health Technician Certification
DOPL rules for support roles are also very closely aligned with qualifications for BCaBA® (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) certification.
The new Behavioral Health Technician Certification that is being established will have its own rules and qualifications. They include:
- An associate degree from a regionally accredited college in
- Human and social services
- Counseling
- Psychology
- Social, Behavioral, or Health Sciences
- Education and Human Development
- Or a suitable equivalent
- A one-year academic certificate from a regional accredited college in applied skills for behavioral health technicians
Despite the similarity of the name of the role to the BACB’s RBT® (Registered Behavior Technician), the Utah qualifications are substantially higher. Earning an RBT® might only be your first step to Utah licensure as a technician.
Steps and Requirements To Becoming a Licensed ABA in Utah
 | Earn a Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis or Related Field with ABA Course Content |
 | Complete a Period of Supervised Practice |
 | Pass the BCBA® Certification Exam |
 | Apply for Licensure with DOPL |
Step 1. Earn a Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis or Related Field with ABA Course Content
The listed requirements are for a master’s or doctoral degree in:
- Education
- Human Services
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Another field related to behavior analytics
To be qualified for licensure as an LABA (Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst), candidates would need a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields.
The program must additionally include coursework in behavior analysis as approved by the BACB.
This is basically identical to BACB degree requirements, with the exception of adding in a few specific degree fields that BACB does not mention, but that are still compatible with BCBA® eligibility requirements.
In all cases, the most important factor is the coursework. The BACB will automatically accept any ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) accredited program, or one that has been accredited by APBA (Association of Professional Behavior Analysts).
Accredited programs by definition have the classes that cover essential elements of assessment, planning, and behavioral treatments. Currently, the BACB may review courses that are not on its current list in order to determine whether or not they meet the course content allocation guidelines. More commonly, a Verified Course Sequence Coordinator within your school will submit a formal attestation that your coursework meets the standards.
You may also obtain a post-graduate certificate from a program that includes a BACB-verified course sequence, regardless of what field your master’s degree is in.
Today, many students are electing to take their master’s degree programs in applied behavior analysis online. You can find a program that is directly aligned with your chosen practice area more easily and without relocating. The ability to time shift your coursework to hours that are not traditional class times also makes it much easier to attend graduate school while still working a regular job.
For more information about the process of earning a BCBA® or BCaBA®, see the following page on the subject:
Click here for step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
Step 2. Complete a Period of Supervised Practice
Earning a BCBA® involves a fairly stringent period of supervised practice in the field under a previously-certified supervisor. The practice requirements vary depending on the specific type of experience. In every case, they are designed to help you meld your classroom work with real practical cases of ABA treatment, so you can connect theory with practice.
Those experience standards are:
- 1500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork (1000 hours for AABAs)
OR
- 2000 hours of supervised fieldwork (1300 hours for AABAs)
The state of Utah only requires 1500 hours of experiential behavior analysis training (1000 hours for AABAs) within five years under a qualified instructor as qualification, so a BACB cert will cover you either way.
The major difference between the two types of experience is in the level of supervision. Concentrated fieldwork, as you might expect, involves more intensive oversight with more frequent contacts with your supervisor.
It’s possible to combine both types of fieldwork to get your total hours in, and you may complete the process both while still studying for your degree and independently after graduation.
Step 3. Pass the BCBA® Certification Exam
As your final qualification, you must take and pass the National Behavior Analyst Exam from the BACB. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and offered in exam centers around the nation.
The sites available in Utah are:
- Bountiful
- Salt Lake City
- Draper
- Ogden
- George
To take the test, you must first register online with the BACB. You will have to provide the necessary paperwork to verify that you have completed the educational and experience requirements for the BCBA® or BCaBA® before you will be allowed to sit the exam.
The required passing score for Utah is 76 percent.
Step 4. Apply for Licensure with DOPL
Applying for a license is the final step. License application forms can be downloaded from the DOPL website here. The application fee is due at time of filing and costs $120. The fee is not refundable.
If you obtained a BCBA® or BCaBA®, your licensing application will be very straightforward. In addition to filling out the questionnaires about your background, education, and experience, you only need to submit official documentation of your certification from the BACB.
If you are applying for license by application, you will have to include:
- Your official transcripts to prove you hold an appropriate degree
- Documentation of having completed your supervised experience
- Exam results from the National Behavior Analyst Exam
License Renewal for Behavior Analysts in Utah
Licenses in Utah expire on September 30 of even numbered years. You are responsible for filing your renewal form even if you do not receive notice from DOPL. The renewal fee is $103 for LBAs and LABAs both. The new Behavior Health Technician role, of course, hasn’t been around long enough for renewals and doesn’t have rules set yet.
Although the law includes provisions for continuing education, DOPL has not yet defined any specific requirements to fulfill. You will want to continue watching the DOPL website for information about developing requirements.
Of course, maintaining your BACB credential, as well as keeping yourself current with professionals standards, will require ongoing continuing education. The Utah Association for Behavior Analysis is another resource for updates on local regulations and practices as well as acceptable CEU opportunities. The organization is an affiliate of APBA and the recognized state chapter of ABAI.