ABA therapists have completed qualifying coursework in behavior analysis or a closely related field. Upon achievement of a qualifying degree, aspiring ABA therapists must complete an approved practicum experience and pass the national certification exam.
ABA certifications are offered at the bachelor’s and graduate levels. Board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) have completed a graduate degree, while board certified assistant behavior analysts (BCaBAs) have completed a bachelor’s degree. Individuals with doctorate-level coursework in behavior analysis can apply for the BCBA-D designation.
Once certified, BCBAs are qualified to work as independent practitioners in their field. BCaBAs perform much of the same work that BCBAs do, but they must always be supervised by a BCBA.
As soon as you pass the national certification exam established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), you are officially certified to begin your work as an ABA therapist.
The Work of an ABA Therapist
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA therapists are trained to analyze how behavior works, how it is impacted by individuals’ environments, and how learning takes place. ABA therapists help their clients with developmental disabilities by establishing individualized treatment plans targeted at the unique needs of each person.
As an ABA therapist, you begin your work with each client by conducting a comprehensive evaluation to understand the client’s current challenges, learn what their daily environments are like, and identify their specific behavior goals. You help clients improve their social, communication, and learning skills by providing customized interventions that will challenge them in new and productive ways.
How to Become an ABA Therapist
To become an ABA therapist, you must meet specific education, practicum, and examination requirements. The BACB maintains strict eligibility requirements to ensure that all ABA therapists are responsibly, ethically, and competently delivering behavior analysis services to all of their clients.
The BACB website outlines clear instructions for how to become a certified behavior therapist. No matter which level of therapist you are striving to become, all certifications require a minimum level of education, a designated number of hours of supervised field experience, and a passing score on the appropriate national certification exam.
In order to become an ABA therapist, start by considering your level of education. Bachelor’s-degree holders can apply to become BCaBAs. Those with a master’s degree can apply to become BCBAs, and doctoral-degree holders can apply to become a board certified behavior analyst – doctoral (BCBA-D).
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCBAs are graduate-level certificate holders in the field of behavior analysis. They are independent practitioners who provide behavior analysis services to a range of clients in a variety of settings.
The requirements to become a BCBA are as follows:
- Complete an acceptable master’s or doctorate degree from a BACB-accredited university.
- Acceptable graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis must be included in your program or completed separately.
- Complete the minimum amount of supervised experience or fieldwork.
- Pass the BCBA certification exam.
An acceptable graduate degree is usually in the field of behavior analysis, education, or psychology, and it includes courses on behavior analysis. If you are unsure if your degree qualifies you for BCBA certification, you can submit a preliminary degree evaluation before applying for certification.
Once you have completed your graduate degree, your next step is to complete the supervised experience requirement. The BCBA experience requirements include the following:
- Total hours: 1,500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork, 1,000 hours of practicum, or 750 hours of intensive practicum
- Experience hours per supervisory period: minimum of 20 and a maximum of 130
- Supervisory period: one calendar month
Additional details about supervision requirements, experience hours, and optional resources can be found in the BCBA/BCaBA Experience Standards handbook.
It is important to note that the eligibility requirements for the BCBA and BCaBA certification will change slightly for anyone applying after January 1, 2022. If you will be applying after this date, consult the BACB website for updated eligibility requirements.
Once you have met all current eligibility requirements, you can apply for certification. The certification application can be completed and submitted online, and you can pay the $245 application fee there as well. All supporting documents can be uploaded to your online BACB account.
When your application is approved, you can register to take the BCBA exam. The exam costs $125 and is offered at Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide. As soon as you pass the exam, you are officially a board certified behavior analyst.
There are many resources available online, both free and to purchase, to help you prepare for the BCBA exam.
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
A BCaBA must meet many of the same eligibility requirements to become certified as a BCBA. The primary difference is that a BCaBA has a bachelor’s degree rather than a graduate degree. BCaBAs carry out behavior plans and work on behavior goals as established by their supervising BCBA.
While BCaBAs cannot work independently, they play a vital role in the delivery of behavior analysis services to children and adults in need. BCaBAs can, however, supervise registered behavior technicians (RBTs) who are a part of the ABA team.
The eligibility requirements to apply for BCaBA certification are as follows:
- Hold an acceptable bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Complete undergraduate coursework in behavior analysis.
- Complete the required supervised practical experience hours.
The supervised experienced standards for BCaBAs are the same as for BCBAs. Once you have met all BCaBA eligibility requirements, you can apply for certification. The certification application fee for BCaBAs is $175, plus a $125 examination fee that should be made to Pearson Vue.
Once you pass the national BCaBA exam, you are a certified ABA therapist. It is up to you, however, to make sure you always work under an accredited supervisor and to keep your certification in good standing.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral
The BCBA-D is an additional designation given to individuals who have studied behavior analysis at the doctoral level. It is not a separate certification from the BCBA and does not grant any added privileges, but it does recognize the extra expertise that someone at the doctoral level has.
If you wish to become a BCBA-D, you must be currently certified as a BCBA and meet one of three possible eligibility options.
- You hold a doctorate degree from a doctoral program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
- You hold a doctorate degree from a non-ABAI-accredited university and have completed a behavior-analytic dissertation, plus either doctoral-level behavior-analytic coursework, supervision from a BCBA faculty member, or have authored at least two peer-reviewed behavior-analytic journal articles.
- You hold a doctorate degree from a qualifying institution, have 1,800 hours (after becoming BCBA certified) in applied behavior analysis, and have authored at least two peer-reviewed behavior-analytic journal articles.
If you have met the above eligibility requirements for the BCBA-D designation, you can complete the online BCBA-D application. You must pay the $105 application fee and upload all supplemental documentation to your BACB account.
Registered Behavior Technician
RBT is a paraprofessional designation given to individuals with a high school diploma who wish to work in the field of behavior analysis. RBTs are key members of most ABA teams, and they work closely with BCBAs and BCaBAs to deliver ABA interventions.
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Like BCBAs and BCaBAs, RBTs have eligibility requirements they must meet in order to become certified. In addition to being at least 18 years old and having a high school diploma, RBTs must do the following:
- Pass a background check.
- Complete an in-person or online 40-hour training.
- Complete an initial competency assessment.
- Apply for certification.
- Take and pass the national RBT exam.
Because RBTs do not have the extensive educational and supervised field experience requirements that BCBAs and BCaBAs do, they are not technically considered behavior therapists. They are certified professionals, however, who can become very skilled experts in the field of behavior analysis.
What Can I Do With a BACB Certification?
Professionals with a BACB certification have many career opportunities available to them. All levels of behavior analysts commonly work together as treatment teams in a variety of settings. The exact position in each setting varies, such as a supervisory role versus a direct clinical provider. All positions are key to delivering effective evidence-based treatment.
Certified behavior analysts work in many different settings, including:
- Schools.
- Hospitals and clinics.
- Community organizations.
- Corporate environments.
- Private practice.
- Government agencies.
No matter which professional setting you choose to work in and which level of certification you obtain, you will likely always be a part of a multidisciplinary team. Behavior analysts frequently consult with teachers, doctors, parents, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other specialists to ensure that their client’s goals are aligned throughout all facets of their lives.
References
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Autism Speaks.
BCBA/BCaBA Experience Standards. Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Home Page. Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
Registered Behavior Technician. Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
