WE ARE A GROUP OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS, UNITED IN ADVOCACY.

Our vision is a future in which disability services are grounded in dignity, compassion, and evidence-based behavior support, where all people experience respect, safety, and an enriched quality of life.

WHAT IS APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is rooted in behaviorism, a science based on how the environment influences behavior. Behavior analysts use this understanding of how environmental factors influence actions to develop effective interventions. These interventions are designed to teach new skills and decrease behaviors of concerns to support meaningful, positive changes for individuals and their families.

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). About behavior analysis. https://www.bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/

TYPES OF BEHAVIOR PROFESSIONALS

Behavior professionals have distinct roles and responsibilities, each contributing in important ways to supporting individuals and their families. From designing and overseeing interventions to implementing programs under supervision, these professionals collaborate to promote skill development, address interfering behaviors, and enhance quality of life. The following outlines the primary types of behavior professionals and the qualifications required for each.

NATIONAL CREDENTIALS

A BCBA is a professional who designs, implements, and oversees behavior change interventions. BCBAs often work with individuals with developmental disabilities, but their expertise also extends to education, organizational behavior management, and other subspecialities. To become a BCBA, individuals must hold a graduate degree with coursework approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), accrue at least 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, and pass a national certification exam. A BCBA-D has the same scope of practice but has earned a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.), often preparing them for research, teaching, program development, or leadership roles.
—
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). Board certified behavior analyst. https://www.bacb.com/bcba/
A BCaBA designs, implements, and oversees behavior change interventions under the supervision of a BCBA. To become a BCaBA, individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree with coursework approved by the BACB, accrue at least 1,000 supervised fieldwork hours, and pass a national certification exam.
—
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). Board certified assistant behavior analyst. https://www.bacb.com/bcaba/
An RBT works under the supervision of BCBAs and BCaBAs to implement behavior-analytic programs and provide day-to-day support to service recipients and their families. To become an RBT, individuals must have a high school diploma, complete 40 hours of coursework approved by the BACB, demonstrate competency through an assessment, and pass a national certification exam.
—
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). Registered behavior technician (RBT). https://www.bacb.com/rbt/

NEW YORK STATE CREDENTIALS

In New York State, BCBAs and BCBA-Ds are required to hold state licensure. To obtain a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential, applicants must meet requirements established by the New York State Education Department. These include earning a master’s or higher degree, completing supervised experience in the practice of applied behavior analysis, and passing a state-approved examination.
—
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. (n.d.). §8804*. Requirements and procedures for professional licensure. https://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/education-law/article-167/8804

New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. (n.d.). Guidance on the roles of licensed providers and unlicensed personnel in delivering ABA services. https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/licensed-behavior-analysts/professional-practice/guidance-on-the-roles-of-licensed-providers-and-unlicensed-personnel-in-delivering-aba-services
In New York State, individuals may also become certified as a Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA). To obtain this credential, applicants must meet requirements established by the New York State Education Department. These include earning a bachelor’s or higher degree, completing supervised experience in the practice of applied behavior analysis, and passing a state-approved examination.
—
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. (n.d.). §8804*. Requirements and procedures for professional licensure. https://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/education-law/article-167/8804

New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. (n.d.). Guidance on the roles of licensed providers and unlicensed personnel in delivering ABA services. https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/licensed-behavior-analysts/professional-practice/guidance-on-the-roles-of-licensed-providers-and-unlicensed-personnel-in-delivering-aba-services
Unlike LBAs, unlicensed staff carry out specific tasks that have been carefully planned and written by the LBA to meet the needs of the individual receiving services. The treatment plan guides how unlicensed staff interact with the individual and outlines their role as someone who objectively records what happens during sessions. Specific responsibilities include setting up the environment for sessions, which includes organizing materials and preparing the space, implementing the procedures as trained by the LBA, collecting and entering data without interpreting it, and writing factual notes about the session for the LBA to review.
—
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. (n.d.). Guidance on the roles of licensed providers and unlicensed personnel in delivering ABA services. https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/licensed-behavior-analysts/professional-practice/guidance-on-the-roles-of-licensed-providers-and-unlicensed-personnel-in-delivering-aba-services