If you are looking to help autistic people improve their lives in a clinical setting, this guide on the steps to becoming a BCBA is a great place to start. We hope it’s the perfect catalyst for the next step in your career.
In this blog, we’ll look at the following topics on how to become a BCBA:
What is a BCBA?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, is a healthcare professional who is an expert in the behavior of children and adults (often as it applies to autism and ABA therapy). Their job is typically to create plans to improve and change behavioral impediments. It’s common for them to work with clients with developmental disabilities, specifically autism spectrum disorder.
Some days a BCBA may supervise therapists’ work, and other times they will directly provide the therapy they plan. Similarly, while working in an ABA therapy context, it is often a BCBA’s job to do reporting, review data, and update programs for the clinic they are employed at.
How to Become a BCBA
To receive BCBA certification in ABA therapy, you must meet the requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB – just to be confusing):
- Have an undergrad in a related field
- Earn a Master’s degree, equivalent graduate-level certification, and coursework requirements (225 classroom hours of graduate-level work) or a position teaching and researching behavioral analysis.
- Meet supervised experience requirements (varies by year)
- Pass the BCBA exam
There are many education and work options to fulfill these certification requirements at each step, including our Ally University program and many great resources online to help guide you.
Here is an example plan to achieve BCBA certification.
Steps to Becoming a BCBA
The requirements laid out by the BACB do an excellent job of creating a broad outline, but we’ve taken it one step further. Here is a linear, detailed pathway on the certification steps to becoming a BCBA.
1. Graduate From a Related Undergrad Degree Program
Whether you earn a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree, this step is essential to get you into a qualified graduate program. Fields like psychology, education, and human studies are just a few options.
2. Earn an Acceptable Graduate Degree
This is where BACB verification and accreditation are more stringent. Your graduate degree or program typically needs to include ‘Behavior Analysis,’ ‘Education,’ or ‘Psychology’ in most cases. Similarly, any master’s or doctoral programs must be verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
As part of our Ally University program, we have a relationship with Purdue University to offer discounted tuition to complete this degree.
3. Complete Your BCBA Experience Requirements
The BACB lists three acceptable forms of experience:
- Practicum: This is part of a graduate program and requires oversight and facilitation from a VCS. You must pass with a C grade or better in all experience courses, a minimum of 1,000 hours of experience, and four separate contacts/observations with your supervisor within one month.
- Intensive Practicum: An intensive practicum is also mandated within a graduate program and requires 750 hours of experience for completion. This program requires a one-month supervisory period with eight contacts/observations from a supervisor.
- Supervised Independent Fieldwork: The non-practicum route is separate from a graduate program and is slightly more hours intensive. You must complete 1,500 hours of fieldwork. In the one-month supervisory period, you must have two contacts/observations with a superior you are responsible for finding (unlike in a graduate program where they assign one to you).
You may begin qualified experience hours once you enroll in the appropriate coursework and have reviewed the BACB experience standards with your supervisor. At Ally Pediatric Therapy, we pride ourselves on allowing future BCBAs to receive their supervision hours to get them one step closer to their certification.
4. Pass the BCBA Examination
This is a national certification requirement for all BCBA candidates and is standardized by the BACB. You must submit your application to the BACB through their authorized gateway to qualify and apply.
Your application must include official transcripts from accredited degrees or a course syllabus from a non-verified program. Your supervisor must sign these forms to receive the verified course sequence and your experience hours. The application also has a $245 fee with an additional $100 if you still need to complete a VCS.
Once your application is approved, you must take and pass the BCBA exam through Pearson VUE. The BACB will send its authorization to the organization, and in turn, they will contact you to set up a Pearson VUE account and schedule the exam. The exam will cost $125 at the time you schedule it.
5. Apply for a Position Using Your BCBA License
One reason you go through such a rigorous education and licensing process is to be qualified for the positions requiring BCBA certification.
The BACB provides employment opportunity listings, and it is highly recommended that you search for local clinics needing accredited BCBAs. After all, giving back to your local community plus the greater autism and ABA community at the same time is a win/win. Some clinics, like Ally Pediatric Therapy, offer relocation packages if you find a job opportunity further away from home.
You are required to maintain your BCBA certification on a two-year renewal cycle. This includes continuing education requirements, renewal forms, and adherence to the BACB’s Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. Luckily, these policies are well laid out, and quality clinics will work with you to provide the proper time and resources to meet these requirements.
Published On: October 15, 2021
Updated On: March 16, 2023
