To become a Certified Behaviour Analyst, one needs to meet at least one of the three options for eligibility requirements. Let’s take a granular look at those options now.
Remember: Nevada Autism Center – a leading ABA therapy center in Las Vegas – always looks for BCBAs to add to our team!
So the first option requires a graduate degree in any acceptable field of study (psychology, behavior analysis, Education, etc.), completing a BACB-Verified Course, and finally, a period of monitored experience in behaviour analysis. Let’s explore each of these things in detail now; then, we’ll proceed to the following two options.
A graduate degree in any acceptable field of study is necessary to become a BCBA. The most popular degree for this is a Masters in Behavior Analysis, but there are many other eligible degrees. For example, you could have a Master’s in Psychology with a concentration in behavior analysis or even a Master’s in Education focusing on behavior analysis. If you have uncertainty as to whether or not your degree is eligible, you can check the BACB website for more information. The important part is that your degree must be from an accredited institution.
The second requirement is the completion of BACB-Verified Courses. These courses have been specifically designed to meet the needs set forth by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. You must pass these courses with an average of C or higher to move on to the next step. You can find the content task list on the BACB website.
Last but not least is the period of monitored experience in behavior analysis. This requirement can be met through various ways, but the most common is through an internship or practicum. During this time, you will be working under the supervision of a BCBA to gain the necessary experience.
The above requirements are for option one. Option two is a little bit different in that it requires one to have a graduate degree in behavior analysis, the completion of BACB-Verified Courses, and a period of monitored experience in behavior analysis. The main difference here is that your degree must be precisely in behavior analysis.
Option three is the most different; It requires a doctoral degree granted no earlier than ten years before the actual date of application and ten years of postdoctoral experience in behavior analysis, including working with clients under direct supervision. In simple words, this option is for those who received their doctoral degree at least ten years ago from the time of application backwards and have worked in the field since.
The final step in becoming a BCBA is passing the BACB examination. Once you have completed & passed the exam, you will be officially certified and can begin working as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst! The exam is provided only to applicants who have submitted all the required materials (documents & certificates) and have been determined to be eligible.
So there you have it! A brief overview of the three options for meeting the eligibility requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. If you think this is something you might be interested in, research and find the option that best suits your needs. Thanks for reading!
