Website: Alabama Department of Mental Health

Phone: 334-242-0477

Alabama Department of Mental Health Email

Qualifications for license. 
(a) The department shall issue a license to practice behavior analysis to a person who 
(4) is currently certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or another certifying entity approved by the department;

 An applicant for a behavior analyst must submit
(3) verification of a current license in another state on a form provided by the department; and
(4) proof of current certification as required  as applicable.

Website: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

Phone: 907-465-8444

Alaska Behavior Analysts Email

Behavior Analysts are required to be licensed by the Board of Psychologist Examiners to practice independently in Arizona. To be eligible for licensure by universal recognition, applicant must be actively licensed in one other state or US territory with the same practice level for at least one year, have no open complaints or actions against any professional license, and provide objective evidence that they reside in Arizona. Documentation demonstrating residency is
required with the application. If you are not eligible for this application, please apply for licensure using the standard application – Behavior Analyst Application for Licensure.

Website: Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners

Phone: 602-542-8162

Arizona Psychologist Examiners Email

Website: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling

Phone: 501-683-5800

Arkansas Contact Form

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) must possess the minimum of a Masters degree, meet requirements for either graduate-level coursework (225 hours) or college-level teaching and research in behavior analysis, meet experience requirements, and pass the Behavior Analyst Certification Examination. This certification is recognized by the State of California, Department of Developmental Disabilities with regards to practitioners who provide behavioral services. In addition, an increasing number of regional centers and school administrators are stipulating that those who provide behavioral intervention to their consumers and students must hold this certification. BCBAs must complete continuing education units (CEUs) in order to maintain their certification by staying informed of recent developments in behavioral research and practice.

Website: California Association for Behavior Analysis

Phone: 805-275-2143

Colorado licensing law states that anybody practicing ABA needs to hold a psychology license. Being eligible for the psychology license required to practice ABA in Colorado would require you to be at least 21 years of age and to have no history of crime involving moral turpitude. You would initiate the licensing process by submitting the required Applications and Forms to DORA and completing four primary steps:

1. Earning a doctorate degree with a major in psychology or a related field accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association, OR that is otherwise recognized by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) or the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
2. One year of post-doctoral experience in the practice of psychology under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.
3.A demonstration of professional competency by passing a written exam on the practice of psychology that covers General Psychology, Clinical and Counseling Psychology, and the Application of the Practice of Psychology, including statutes and professional ethics.
4. A demonstration of knowledge of relevant state law by passing a state jurisprudence exam administered by DORA’s Division of Psychologist Examiners.

Website: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

Phone: 303-894-7855

Colorado Licensing Email

In order to be eligible for a behavior analyst license, an applicant must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Applicants must arrange for the following to be submitted directly to this office from the source:

Verification of BCBA certification. The Department will verify BCBA certification online. The applicant will be contacted if additional information is required;

If applicable, verification of all out of state behavioral analyst licenses held, current or expired. The purpose of the verification is to document that the applicant has not been the subject of any type of disciplinary action. Verifications must be submitted directly to this office from the other state. The Department WILL NOT perform these verifications online.

Applications are only accepted online. The application fee is $350.

Website: Connecticut State Department of Public Health

Phone:  860-509-7603

Connecticut Department of Public Health Email

How to Become an Applied Behavioral Analyst in Delaware:
Unlike most states, which now license applied behavioral analysts (or are in the process of implementing legislation regarding their licensure), as of late 2016 Delaware does not license professionals that provide ABA services independent of an existing healthcare of mental healthcare professional license.

Even in the absence of licensing laws, Delaware’s insurance laws, which only allow certified ABA professionals to provide autism services eligible for reimbursement, have made the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) BCBA® credential the natural path to entering practice as an ABA in the state. Earning the BCBA® credential involves:

Earning a master’s degree in an approved field
Completing a period of supervised professional experience
Passing a national examination.

Washington, D.C. does not currently require licensing to practice as an applied behavior analyst within the city and there are no efforts being made to enact licensing regulations there, despite a larger national trend toward certification and licensing for ABA professionals. 

While many states either license applied behavior analysts, or are otherwise in the process of enacting such legislation, Florida does not, instead deferring the credentialing process for ABA professionals to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which offers the nationally recognized BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification.

Website: Hawaii State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs

Phone: 808-586-3000

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Email

BCBA is not required to practice behavior analysis in Idaho.

Website: Illinois State Board of Human Services

While Indiana does not have a centralized licensing authority in place for applied behavior analysts as of 2016, Indiana legislature did pass a 2008 law that prohibits anyone in the state who is not certified as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) from using the title.

Because of the lack of state licensure, the BCBA designation, although voluntary, has become the standard for applied behavior analysts in Indiana.

Website: Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board

Phone: 317-234-2054

Behavioral Health Email

Website: Iowa Department of Public Health

Phone: 515-281-0254

Iowa Department of Public Health Email

Website: Kansas State Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

Phone: 785-296-3240

Kansas Regulatory Board Email

Website: Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing

Phone: 502-892-4249

Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing Email

The applicant for licensure as a behavior analyst shall:
1. Submit notarized application along with appropriate fee 

2. Provide proof of a Masters Degree by requesting official transcripts from an accredited university;

3. Submit verification of successful passage of a national exam administered by a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the American National Standards Institute to credential professional practitioners of behavior analysis related to the
principles and practice of the profession of behavior analysis that is approved by the board.

4. Take and successfully pass the Louisiana Jurisprudence Exam issued by the Board;

5. Complete a Criminal Background Check as approved by the Board; and

6. Provide proof of good moral character as approved by the Board

Website: Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board

Phone: 225-295-8413

Behavior Analyst Board Email

While many states already regulate and license applied behavior analysts currently Maine does not. This means that just like in most of the rest of the country, becoming an applied behavior analyst in Maine starts with earning a relevant master’s or higher degree and BCBA  certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

License Requirements
The applicant shall have:

A current certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BCBA or BCBA-D) or its successor organization; and
a master's degree or higher from a behavior analysis educational program that is accredited by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or its successor organization.​ As part of the application process, all applicants must submit to a criminal history records check.

Website: Maryland State Department of Health

Phone: 410-764-2400

Department of Health Email

The following documents may be uploaded during the online application process:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgment Form

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certificate

Current “2 x2” passport size photo

The following documents must be mailed to the Board:

Out of State License Verification (sealed envelope)

Application Fee: All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $117.00.

Website: Massachusetts Licensing Regulations

Phone: 617-727-0084

Massachusetts Licensing Regulations Email

Website: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Phone: 517-335-9700

Michigan Contact Form

Though it is not a state-mandated legal requirement in Minnesota, the BCBA® and other BACB-issued credentials are the widely recognized and respected in the field of applied behavior analysis, and often a standard job requirement maintained by employers in the state.

Website: Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

Phone: 612-548-2177

Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy Email

For licensure as a Behavior Analyst, applicants must possess at minimum, a Master’s degree, or equivalent, from an
accredited educational institution. Additionally, applicants must possess and verify current and active certification
by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB) as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board
Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D).

Website: Mississippi Autism Board

Phone: 601-359-6792

Mississippi Autism Board Email

Each person wishing to practice as a licensed behavior analyst shall:

(1) Submit a complete application on a form approved by the committee, which shall include a statement that the applicant has completed two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training;

(2) Pay all necessary fees as set by the committee;

(3) Submit a two-inch or three-inch photograph or passport photograph taken no more than six months prior to the application date;

(4) Provide two classified sets of fingerprints for processing by the Missouri state highway patrol under section 43.543. One set of fingerprints shall be used by the highway patrol to search the criminal history repository and the second set shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for searching the federal criminal history files;

(5) Have passed an examination and been certified as a board-certified behavior analyst by a certifying entity;

(6) Provide evidence of active status as a board-certified behavior analyst; and

(7) If the applicant holds a license as a behavior analyst in another state, a statement from all issuing states verifying licensure and identifying any disciplinary action taken against the license holder by that state.

Website: Missouri Division of Professional Registration

Phone: 573-526-5804

Missouri Division of Professional Registration Email

Website: Montana Department of Labor & Industry

Phone: 406-444-5773

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Email

Each person desiring a license as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst, certification as a state certified behavior interventionist or registration as a registered behavior technician must:

1. Make application to the Division upon a form and in a manner prescribed by the Division. The application must be accompanied by the application fee prescribed by the Division and include all information required to complete the application.

As part of the application and at his or her own expense:

2. Arrange to have a complete set of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or other authorized entity acceptable to the Division; and

Submit to the Division:

3. A complete set of fingerprints and written permission authorizing the Division to forward the fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a report on the applicant’s background, and to such other law enforcement agencies as the Division deems necessary for a report on the applicant’s background; or

4. Written verification, on a form prescribed by the Division, stating that the set of fingerprints of the applicant was taken and directly forwarded electronically or by other means to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and that the applicant provided written permission authorizing the law enforcement agency or other authorized entity taking the fingerprints to submit the fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a report on the applicant’s background, and to such other law enforcement agencies as the Division deems necessary for a report on the applicant’s background.

Website: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services

Phone: 775-687-4210

Nevada Department of Health Services Email

Website: New Jersey Consumer Affairs 

Phone: 973-273-8070

Applied Behavior Email

New Mexico remains a state without a formal licensing process in place for ABAs.

Any use of the title "licensed behavior analyst" within New York State requires licensure.

You must submit an Application for Licensure/Certification  and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

1. Submit an Application for Licensure/Certification 
2. Submit the licensure/certification and registration required fee established for licensed behavior analysts or certified behavior analyst assistants

Education: Submit a Certification of Professional Education to document that you have received an education, including a bachelor's or higher degree for a certified behavior analyst assistant or a master's or higher degree for a licensed behavior analyst, from a program registered by the Department or determined by the Department to be substantially equivalent to such a program, in accordance with the Commissioner's Regulations.

Experience: Submit a Report of Professional Experience to document that you have experience in the practice of applied behavior analysis satisfactory to the Board and Department in accordance with the Commissioner's Regulations.

Examination: pass an examination acceptable to the Board and the Department in accordance with the Commissioner's Regulations.

Child Abuse Training: Submit evidence of completing coursework or training in the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment in accordance with the Education Law. 

Age: Be at least 21 years of age by the date of licensure/certification.

Moral Character: be of good moral character as determined by the Department and submit an attestation of moral character.

Website: New York Office of Professions

Phone: 518-474-3817, Press 1 then ext. 592

New York Contact Form

There are no reciprocity agreements between North Carolina and other jurisdictions. North Carolina requires persons to make application for licensure to the Board within 30 days of offering to practice or undertaking the practice of psychology in North Carolina unless individuals are exempt from licensure. To make application the following materials must be submitted together and within 30 days of offering to practice or undertaking the practice of psychology in North Carolina:

The application form
The supervision contract form
The $100 application fee
The fingerprint card for background checks (As of 11/01/16)
The $38 background check fee
Authority for release of information form

Website: North Carolina Psychology Board

Phone: 828-262-2258

North Carolina Psychology Board Email

Website: North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners

Phone: 701-214-5580

North Dakota Board of Psychologist Email

To apply for COBA certification, visit the licensing application website.

Once you have created your account, you will then be directed to a page on which you will choose "APPLY FOR A NEW LICENSE." You will then be provided with the option of choosing "Psychology Board" and then the "Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst" option under "Select a License." Finally, under "Select an Application Type" select "General Application." You will then confirm your eligibility to apply for the COBA certification. Upon saving and continuing the eligibility questions, you will proceed through the application documenting your personal information, background information, answer questions and attestation before submitting your application. Upon submitting your application you will be unable to make any changes directly to your application, so please be sure to review all information prior to submitting. After submitting your application, you will be directed to a secure payment site to process your payment for your COBA application. Following payment of your application, you will receive email communication from the Board and a receipt.

Website: Ohio Board of Psychology

Phone: 614-466-8808

Ohio Board of Psychology Email

Each person wishing to practice as a BCBA or as a BCaBA in Oklahoma applies to DDS using Form 06LC001E, Application for BCBA License and BCaBA Certification, and furnishes evidence that he or she:

(A) is at least 21 years old;

(B) passed the Board examination and is certified by the national Board as a BCBA or as a BCaBA, as applicable; and

(C) has not had a professional license or state certification refused, revoked, suspended, or restricted and does not have a complaint, allegation, or investigation pending in any regulatory jurisdiction in the United States or in another country for reasons that relate to unprofessional conduct unless DDS finds that the conduct was corrected or that mitigating circumstances exist that prevent resolution.

Website: Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board

Phone: 405-521-6264

Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board Email

To be considered for a behavior analyst license, an applicant must:

Submit a completed application form, which must be accompanied by payment of application fees of $150;
Submit two forms of acceptable identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency. Both forms of identification must include the applicant's current legal name and at least one of the forms of identification provided must be photographic. If submitting by mail, front and back of legible (clear) photocopies must be provided.
Arrange for proof of certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Inc. as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to be sent in from the BACB to the Office;
Pass a fingerprint-based nationwide criminal records check (more information);
If applicable, submit and Affidavit of Licensure from any state where the individual holds or has held a behavior analyst whether the license is active or inactive; and
Submit required license fee of $200.

Website: Oregon Health Licensing Office

Phone: 503-373-1740

Oregon Health Licensing Office Email

A Behavior Analyst must hold a current Board Certified Behavior Analyst certificate obtained through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB); or
Hold a current license for Behavior Specialist in the State of Pennsylvania.

Website: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Phone: 717-783-6788

Pennsylvania Contact Form

Checklist for Obtained By BACB Certification:

Completed Application with Cover Page - Applications are valid for 1 year from the day they are received at
RIDOH. If you are not licensed within the year you must submit a new application.

Check or money order (preferred), made payable (in U.S. funds only) to the RI General Treasurer in the amount
of $150.00 and attached to the upper left-hand corner of the first (Top) page of the application. THIS APPLICATION FEE IS NONREFUNDABLE

Proof of Behavior Analyst Certification from BACB (Behavioral Analyst Certification Board)

BCI - (Criminal Background Check) An original BCI obtained within the previous 6 months of application. You
must apply to the Department of the Attorney General. 

If you have ever been licensed in another state, license verification(s) must be sent directly from the state(s) in
which you hold or have held a license. (Interstate Verification Form included in this application can be used for
that purpose)

Website: Rhode Island Department of Health

Phone: 401-222-5960

There are no state licensing laws in place for applied behavior analysts in South Carolina.

Website: South Dakota Department of Social Services

Phone: 605-773-3165

South Dakota Contact Form

Requirements for Application:

Check or money order for all applicable fees

Signed application

Certified Birth Certificate or Notarized Copy of Birth Certificate

Declaration of Citizenship form (must be notarized)

1 signed recent passport type photograph (2x2)

2 Recommendation Letters from Applied Behavior Analyst Professionals or Professionals of a related field (unless
applying by reciprocity) Must be on letterhead.

Verification of Licensure, if licensed in other
Jurisdiction regardless of the status of the
license (i.e., inactive)

Criminal Background Check

Supervisor Affidavit (LABA Applicants)

Website: Tennessee Department of Health

Phone: 800-778-4123

Department of Health Email

To qualify for licensure as a behavior analyst, a person must:

Hold current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Be in compliance with all professional, ethical, and disciplinary standards established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Once the Behavior Analyst Certification Board requirements have been met, you may apply for the state issued license.

Submit a completed application form (Apply Online or see Behavior Analyst License Application Form PDF) along with the fee of $165.

Licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance.

Website: Texas Behavioral Analyst Licensing

Phone: 512-463-6599

Behavioral Analyst Licensing Email

To qualify, an applicant must be licensed or certified in good standing in another state or jurisdiction in which the standards and qualifications required for regulation in that jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to Vermont's.  You must submit the following:

1. Your Vermont online application.

2. Non-refundable application fee paid with credit card, debit card, or ACH (savings or checking account).

3. Scanned copy of your BCBA or BCBA-D certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. OR if you do not hold a BCBS or BCBA-D certificate, the following:

4. Official school transcripts submitted directly by your institution, verifying possession of a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an educational program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board or approved by the Director, and

5. Scanned documentation reflecting successful completion of an approved practicum or supervised experience in the practice of applied behavior analysis, totaling at least 1,500 hours over a period of not less than one calendar year, of which at least 75 hours involved in direct one-to-one contact with a supervisor, and

6. Proof of passing an examination in the principles and practice of applied behavior analysis adopted from the BACB and approved by the Director. 

Website: Vermont Secretary of State

Phone: 802-828-2390

Vermont Secretary of State Email

An applicant for a license to practice as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst shall hold current certification as a BCBA or a BCaBA obtained by meeting qualifications and passage of the examination required for certification as a BCBA or a BCaBA by the BACB. An applicant for licensure shall submit the following on forms provided by the board:

1. A completed application and a fee

2. Verification of certification as 

3. Verification of practice as required on the application form.

4. If licensed or certified in any other jurisdiction, verification that there has been no disciplinary action taken or pending in that jurisdiction.

5. Verification from the BACB on disciplinary action taken or pending by that body.

Website: Virginia Department of Health Professions

Phone: 804-367-4600

Virginia Department of Health Professions Email

In order to qualify for licensure, you must complete the following requirements:

1. Application and fee;

2. Verification of current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The department may request that you submit verification of your current certification directly from the BACB. Or;

3. Have a master’s or doctorate degree in behavior analysis or other natural science, education, human services, engineering, medicine, or a field related to behavior analysis approved by the secretary.

4. Provide proof of successful completion of a minimum of 225 classroom hours of graduate level instruction in behavior analysis topics;

5. Have your college or university mail your transcripts with the degree and date of graduation listed to the Department of Health. Transcripts must come to us directly from the school. Non-posted transcripts or student copies are not acceptable.

6. Provide proof of successful completion of supervised experience of a minimum of 1500 hours; and; 

7. Provide proof of completion of the national BCBA examination. And;

8. Four hours of AIDS education and training; 

9. Out-of-state verification form to be completed by the state(s) you are or have held licensure. The state will complete its portion of the license verification form and mail it directly back to Washington State.

Website: Washington Office of Health

Phone: 360-236-4700

Washington Office of Health Email

Application Requirements for Licensure Behavior Analyst 

1. ​Application for Fee Reduction (This form must accompany the application for the credential)
2. Behavior Analyst Request for Verification of Certification (submit directly to the BACB)
3. Malpractice Suits or Claims Form (if applicable)
4. ​Application for Predetermination (Submit ONLY if you have been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or other violations of federal, state, or local law, including municipal ordinances, in this state or any other)
5. ​Convictions and Pending Charges
​6. Fax Payment Form

Website: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Phone: 608-266-2112

Department of Safety and Professional Services Email