If you want to help people live happier, healthier lives, consider becoming a behavioral analyst. Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) work closely with people with developmental disabilities to help them build necessary goals and skills to lead more fulfilling lives. If you’re interested in mental health and creating tailored therapy plans one-on-one with your clients, you might love a career as a behavioral analyst. 

Check out this guide to learn more about becoming a BCBA and obtaining your BCBA certification. Explore what BCBAs do, how long it takes to become a BCBA, the process for getting board certified and more. 

What Is a BCBA?

BCBAs are board-certified, meaning they have at least a graduate-level degree in a field related to behavior analysis, and they have passed a rigorous exam to become highly-trained professionals. The certification is given to BCBAs by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BCBAs have either a Master’s or Doctoral degree and can oversee the supervision provided by a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts once they are board-certified. 

What Do BCBAs Do?

A behavior analyst uses Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to build and administer goals for clients. Using ABA to assess the relationship between behavior and environment, BCBAs help clients improve skills, meet goals, create new behaviors and more. BCBAs study behavior in children and adults. They often focus on helping people with developmental disabilities, social issues, emotional issues or traumatic brain injuries. 

While ABA applies to many situations, it’s commonly used in therapy for children with autism. ABA therapy allows BCBAs to adjust goals and strategies to fit each person’s unique goals and can assist them in developing essential skills for a better future.

The day-to-day schedule of a behavioral analyst involves creating individualized programs and modifying these as needed, educating caregivers and behavior technicians on the implementation of the program and ultimately, working to help clients successfully build essential skills. ABA plans constructed by BCBAs are specially tailored to meet the needs and goals of each individual. Since everyone has different experiences and responses, BCBAs create specialized treatment plans with the input of their clients and clients’ caregivers to ensure their clients receive the best services possible. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a BCBA?

It takes roughly six to eight years to become a BCBA, although this can be slightly different for everyone. Typically, it takes four years to complete an undergraduate degree and two years to receive a graduate degree. Additionally, you’ll need to complete 1,500 to 2,000 hours of fieldwork, which often takes at least a year. 

The exact amount of time it takes to become a BCBA depends on your course of study, the level of education you’re working towards and your pace. Since a BCBA certification is a graduate-level degree, you’ll need to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees to obtain the certification.

How to Receive a BCBA Certification

To receive a BCBA certification and become a behavior analyst, you must show the BACB that you have expert knowledge of developmental disabilities and a proficient understanding of ABA techniques and applications. The process is rigorous but incredibly rewarding — completing your BCBA certification allows you to assist children and families in building fundamental skills for success in life. 

What Is a BCBA?

Four main requirements must be met to obtain a certification. You’ll need at least a graduate degree, completion of relevant coursework, supervised fieldwork and a passing grade on the BCBA exam. Additionally, some states require state licensure to practice in their region. Once you’ve completed everything and obtained certification, you must maintain your certification every two years.

BCBA Certification Requirements

Once you have your undergraduate degree, preferably in a field related to behavioral analysis, you’ll need to begin meeting the BCBA certification requirements to become a behavioral analyst. Once these requirements are met, you can receive certification and start working as a professional BCBA. 

According to the BACB, there are four potential pathways you can take before applying for the exam. The most common Pathway — Pathway 1 — is discussed in detail below. However, there are alternate Pathways you can take to earn the certification. Having three years of full-time experience in behavioral analysis teaching and research or 10 years of postdoctoral work in behavioral analysis can also put you on track to obtaining a BCBA certification. 

Step 1: Earn a Relevant Graduate Degree

The first step toward earning your BCBA certification is to obtain a Master’s degree in a relevant field. This means getting a degree in areas like psychology, education or behavioral analysis from an accredited university. You can find accredited universities online using the Council for Higher Education Accreditation directory. You can also use the Applied Behavioral Analysis International Accreditation Board website to explore their list of accepted universities. 

Step 2: Submit Completion of Relevant Coursework

If you’re attending an accredited university and obtaining a relevant degree, you’ll likely also complete the relevant coursework. BCBA potentials need at least 270 hours of the completed necessary coursework to apply for the BCBA exam. Once you’ve obtained your degree and completed the coursework, you’ll need to submit your coursework completion to show you’ve finished these steps. 

Step 3: Complete Supervised Fieldwork Requirements

Along with your graduate coursework, you’ll complete supervised fieldwork. Fieldwork will relate to ABA and must be supervised by someone who meets the BACB’s supervisor requirements. Once you have a supervisor and a plan for your fieldwork, you can begin. The number of required fieldwork hours will depend on the type of fieldwork you’re completing. The two types of fieldwork you can choose from are:

  • Supervised fieldwork: This requires 2,000 hours of fieldwork, with 5% of your hours supervised per supervisory period.
  • Concentrated supervised fieldwork: This requires 1,500 hours of fieldwork, with 10% of your hours supervised per supervisory period. 

Step 4: Take and Pass the BCBA Exam

Once you’ve completed your graduate education and fieldwork requirements, you’ll need to apply for the BCBA exam. After studying hard and paying the exam fee, it’s time to take the test. 

The BCBA exam consists of 160 questions relating to experimental design, behavior-change procedures and basic behavior analytic skills. You’ll get four hours to complete the test. Once you finish the exam, you’ll receive your results immediately. If you pass, you are now board-certified. If you don’t pass the exam on the first try, you get seven more retakes within two years of exam authorization.

How to Maintain Your BCBA Certification

After passing the exam and becoming board-certified, you’ll have to maintain your certification. To continue practicing as a certified BCBA, you’ll have to recertify every two years. The requirements you need to meet for maintaining your certification are:

You can record your recertification progress on the BACB website to make the process smoother. Make sure to finalize all your maintenance requirements before the 15th of the month they’re due. 

Join Our Team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts Today

If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping families and loved ones with autism, consider joining Apara Autism Centers. Our team is comprised of board-certified behavior analysts dedicated to providing expert, specialized ABA therapy for the families we work with. Interested in joining our team? Apply with us online, or learn more about our open positions by browsing our career page today!