How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are licensed professionals who apply the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is the science of learning and behavior, to create meaningful change in people’s lives. BCBAs work with children, teens, and adults across a wide range of needs: helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder develop communication and social skills, supporting students with behavioral challenges in educational settings, teaching daily living skills to adults with developmental disabilities, reducing problem behaviors that interfere with safety or independence, and designing interventions for everything from organizational behavior management to addiction recovery.

Using systematic observation and data-driven decision-making, BCBAs conduct functional behavior assessments to identify why certain behaviors occur, then design individualized treatment plans that may include reinforcement strategies, teaching replacement behaviors, environmental modifications, and skills training across communication, social interaction, self-care, and academic domains.

This step-by-step guide walks you from degree options to licensure, jobs, and salaries so you can chart the fastest, most ethical path into the field, whether you’re just starting your undergraduate education or transitioning from a related profession.

Step 1: Complete an Applied Behavior Analysis Degree

A formal ABA education gives you the coursework and supervised experience foundations you'll need for certification/licensure and practice as a BCBA. Programs may live in psychology, education, special education, or stand-alone ABA departments.

• Associate's (Entry Exposure): An associate’s degree in psychology or behavioral science ntroduces behavior principles, data collection, and ethics, which provides a helpful foundation for entry-level technician roles (e.g., RBT) and for preparing to transfer into a bachelor's program.
• Bachelor's in ABA (Foundational Degree): A bachelor’s in applied behavior analysis, psychology, or education overs learning theory, measurement, and introductory intervention—qualifies graduates for assistant roles (e.g., behavior technician, program assistant) and prepares you for master's study.
• Master's in ABA (Professional Preparation): The master’s in applied behavior analysis is the most common route to independent practice and BCBA certification eligibility. Programs typically include a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) in behavior assessment, experimental design, intervention, and ethics alongside supervised fieldwork.
• Graduate Certificate (For Career Changers): An ABA graduate certificate is for professionals with a related master’s degree who want to obtain BCBA credentials. This is a shortened pathway which does not result in a standalone degree.
• Doctorate (PhD or PsyD with ABA focus; or BCBA-D designation): A doctorate degree in ABA is for practitioners pursuing leadership, advanced clinical practice, supervision, research, and university teaching. Doctoral study deepens fluency in experimental analysis, complex systems, and clinical outcomes.

Learn more about Applied Behavior Analysis programs.

ABA Degree Pathways and Typical Roles

Step 2: Become Licensed and Certified as a Behavior Analyst

Most states regulate behavior analysis separately from general counseling or psychology. Two layers are common: (1) national certification (e.g., BCBA) and (2) state licensure to practice. Your program's advisor will help align coursework and fieldwork with both requirements.

Internship/Practicum Experience

Expect substantial, supervised fieldwork aligned to your graduate curriculum. Typical activities include:

• Functional behavior assessments
• Direct intervention (e.g., skill acquisition, behavior reduction)
• Staff/parent training
• Data analysis
• Treatment planning

Students complete hours in settings such as early-intervention clinics, K-12 schools, pediatric rehab programs, residential services, and in-home/community programs. Many states and the national board specify minimum totals, monthly supervision frequencies, documented competencies, and clear supervisor qualifications. Plan your schedule early with your program to stay on track.

Examination

For most professional roles, graduates pursue Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification, which requires an approved graduate degree, required coursework, supervised fieldwork, and passing a comprehensive exam covering measurement, experimental design, behavior-change procedures, and ethics. The BCBA credential is administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), and many states link licensure to BCBA status (or a substantially equivalent pathway).

State Requirements

Each state maintains its own licensure title (e.g., "Licensed Behavior Analyst"), application, and practice act. Expect items such as jurisprudence exams, background checks, verification of supervised experience, and ongoing continuing education. If you plan to move or practice telehealth across state lines, review portability rules and any separate registration requirements well before graduation.

Step 3: Apply for a Board Certified Behavior Analyst Job

With education, fieldwork, and certification underway (or complete), you can target roles that match your interests, such as early childhood, K-12, autism services, severe behavior, OBM (organizational behavior management), health/wellness, or adult IDD services. Tailor your résumé to highlight assessment tools, populations served, outcomes (e.g., skill gains, reductions in interfering behavior), and supervision experience.

What Careers Can I Pursue with an Applied Behavior Analysis Degree?

• With an Associate's/Bachelor's: Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Behavior Therapist, Classroom ABA Aide, Data/Program Assistant.
• With a Master's (BCBA-track): Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Clinical Case Manager, School-Based Behavior Analyst, Parent Training Specialist.
• With a Doctorate (BCBA-D or equivalent): Senior Behavior Analyst, Clinical Director, Director of Training & Supervision, Research Scientist, University Faculty.

Where Can I Work with an Applied Behavior Analysis Degree?

Common employment environments for BCBAs include:

• Early-intervention and pediatric clinics
• Public and charter schools
• Autism centers
• Hospitals and pediatric rehab
• Residential and day programs for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities
• University clinics
• Private practices

Growing niches include OBM (helping organizations improve performance), behavioral gerontology, and health behavior change (e.g., treatment adherence).

Step 4: Learn About BCBA Salaries

Compensation varies by geography, experience, setting, leadership responsibilities, and payer mix. Nationally, entry-level BCBAs tend to start in the upper-$60,000s to mid-$70,000s, with experienced clinicians, school-based leads, and center-based supervisors commonly moving into the $80,000–$100,000+ range. Clinical directors and multi-site leaders can exceed this, especially in large metro areas and hospital-affiliated programs. Hourly roles (technicians, early-career therapists) often include differential pay for evenings/weekends and opportunities for rapid advancement once certified. When evaluating offers, consider supervision loads, caseload intensity, professional development funding, CE support, and benefits.