HOW TO BECOME A

BOARD-CERTIFIED
BEHAVIOR ANALYST
How a Master of Science in Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA) Can Help

Presented by
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction

2 Applied Behavior Analysis: What It Is and How It Works

3 What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in ABA?

4 ABA vs Counseling: Which Master’s Degree is Right for You?

5 How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): Five Steps

6 ABA Certification Guide: RBT, BCaBA, BCBA, and BCBA-D

7 Taking the Next Step in Your ABA Career

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1 INTRODUCTION

If you’re interested in a career that will empower you to make a real and lasting difference in the

lives of others, then joining the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) by becoming a Board

Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) might be the right career for you.

In this guide, we answer some of the most common questions individuals have about a career

path in ABA, including:

› What is applied behavior analysis?

› What can I do with a master’s in ABA?

› Should I get a master’s in counseling or ABA?

› How can I become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst?

› What are the different ABA certifications?

Continue reading to learn more about this exciting field and the steps you need to take to

advance your ABA career.

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2 APPLIED BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS: WHAT IT IS AND
HOW IT WORKS

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) defines behavior analysis as:

“The science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its

guiding philosophy is behaviorism, which is based on the premise that attempts to im-

prove the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health

treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus.”

As a field, applied behavior analysis seeks to answer questions around how behavior works,

how learning occurs, and how both learning and behavior are affected by factors such as the

environment. This understanding can then be leveraged to devise strategies to increase positive

or helpful behaviors in individuals, while reducing negative or harmful tendencies.

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HOW DOES APPLIED BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS WORK?
Thousands of studies have been conducted in an effort to understand the basic laws of behavior

in order to answer questions of how behavior is learned and how it changes. According to the

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), studies have come to a general consensus that

“behavior is a product of its circumstances, particularly the events that immediately follow the

behavior.”

Those who work in the field of applied behavior analysis leverage this fact to devise different

techniques and methods of treatment to improve behavior in their patients—the end goal being

the improvement of an individual’s overall wellbeing and quality of life.

These behavioral adjustments are accomplished in a number of ways, but the most commonly

used is teaching the individual more effective strategies to use in their everyday life, which, in

turn, alleviates problematic behavior down the road.

Although applied behavior analysis is commonly thought of as a means of treating individuals

with autism or intellectual disorders, the tenets of ABA can be applied to a diverse range of

individuals to achieve a number of outcomes.

Some of the more common strategies used in ABA treatment include:

› Positive reinforcement: Rewarding appropriate behaviors to encourage the individual to

continue that behavior

› Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence (commonly referred to as the A-B-Cs): Referring

to everything that happens before and after behavior, and devising a treatment plan

according to those observations

Are you intrigued by the possibilities of a career in applied behavior analysis? If so, obtaining a

master’s degree in applied behavior analysis is your first step. But what exactly can you do with

this degree?

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3 WHAT CAN YOU DO
WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE
IN ABA?

If you’re interested in studying mental health and human behavior, then you may be curious about

the benefits of a career in applied behavior analysis. You may want to know:

› What can I do with a master’s in ABA?

› Will I enjoy this type of work?

› How much can I expect to earn?

If you’re drawn to meaningful work where you can help others build key social, motor, and

learning skills, getting a graduate degree is a crucial step toward becoming a certified behavior

analyst.

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CAREER PATHS IN APPLIED
BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS
The most common career path for applied behavior analysis graduates is becoming a Board

Certified Behavior Analyst. That being said, individuals with a background in ABA can also work

in a number of other capacities, such as early childhood education, special education, and social

work. You can find ABA specialists in diverse industries, ranging from criminal justice to animal

training, with new applications continually being discovered.

While there is a common misconception that BCBAs work primarily with children, the role is not

limited in that regard. BCBAs can work with anyone who is looking to change their behavior

in order to live a happier and more fulfilling life—whether that’s a child, an adult, or an elderly

individual.

Below we take a look at two of the most common job titles held by an individual trained in ABA.

1. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)

A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst is a specialist who has completed ABA coursework

at the undergraduate level. They are also involved in supervising behavior technicians. To

obtain this certification, you must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete ABA coursework in an

undergraduate institution, and obtain supervised experience on the job.

As an assistant, a BCaBA is only certified to work in conjunction with a BCBA and cannot run

an independent practice. A career as a BCaBA is a good choice if you want to work in the field

without getting a master’s degree, but it often serves as a stepping stone for professionals who

want to earn money and obtain industry experience while attending a graduate ABA degree

program.

As a BCaBA, you can expect to earn an average salary of $71,738, according to

ZipRecruiter.

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2. Board Certified Behavior Analyst

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is an independent practitioner who studies behavior in

patients or organizations to create and implement a plan with positive skill-building methods. In

some roles, BCBAs also offer supportive training to patients’ family members or teachers. BCBAs

work in a variety of environments, including medical facilities, schools, in-home care services,

substance abuse clinics, government agencies, and private practices.

To be eligible for certification, you must have a master’s or doctoral degree in ABA and complete

ABA-specific coursework. You must also complete supervised fieldwork to gain enough
experience for the job. The final step is to pass the certification exam. Once certified, BCBAs

assume a supervisory role for assistant behavior analysts and behavior technicians.

The average salary for a BCBA in 2021 was $87,535 with the majority of

earners making between $68,000 and $97,500, according to ZipRecruiter.

If you are interested in mental health and are looking for a career that will allow you to help

people lead happier lives, becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst is one option that you

may want to consider.

Continue reading to discover the steps you need to take in order to have a successful career in

behavioral health.

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4 HOW TO BECOME
A BOARD CERTIFIED
BEHAVIOR ANALYST (BCBA):
FIVE STEPS

Applied behavior analysis can be a rewarding occupation if you want to make an impact

in the lives of patients and their families. Since behavior analysts work in so many different

environments and specialized roles, you have the opportunity to find a niche that is well-suited to

your skills, personality, and career goals.

Here’s an overview of the steps you need to take to become a BCBA.

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1. EARN A RELEVANT BACHELOR’S
DEGREE
Since you need a graduate degree to become a BCBA, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate

degree program first. This means you will need to earn a relevant undergraduate degree at an

accredited institution prior to enrolling in a graduate program.

To start, consider earning an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, or

applied behavior analysis, as these are the most common degrees earned by BCBAs.

Keep in mind that earning an undergraduate degree geared more toward human behavior is

useful but not necessarily a requirement to apply for a master’s degree in applied behavior

analysis.

2. COMPLETE REQUIRED
BEHAVIOR-ANALYTIC GRADUATE
COURSEWORK
To earn your certification, you must earn a graduate degree that meets certain coursework

requirements set by the BACB. According to the BACB, students have two potential pathways to

meeting this requirement.

Pathway One: ABAI-Accredited Graduate Program

Behavior-analytic graduate degree programs that have been accredited by the Association for

Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) meet all the association’s standards related to curriculum,

faculty, and resources, among other areas.

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 This pathway requires applicants to successfully complete 270 classroom

hours of graduate-level classes in specific concentrations. Generally, the

coursework includes concepts on ethical and professional conduct and

research methods, principles, and concepts in behavior analysis.

Pathway Two: Verified Course Sequence

This option requires you to complete behavior-analytic coursework through a verified course

sequence. Although some verified course sequences are embedded in an ABAI-accredited

graduate program, many are not. Verified course sequence status merely indicates that the

content-hour requirements for certain behavior-analytic courses have been reviewed.

3. COMPLETE REQUIRED
SUPERVISED FIELDWORK
As a part of your graduate coursework, you’ll also need to complete supervised fieldwork in

applied behavior analysis.

Supervisor Accreditation Requirements

One of the most important supervisor requirements is their certification status. For your hours to

count toward your degree, your supervisor must have one of the following certifications:

› An active BCBA without current disciplinary sanctions who has been certified for at least

one year and meets an ongoing supervision CEU requirement

› An active BCBA without current disciplinary sanctions who has been certified for less

than one year and is receiving consultation on a monthly basis from a qualified consulting

supervisor

› A licensed or registered psychologist certified by the American Board of Professional

Psychology in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology who was tested in applied behavior

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 analysis

› An authorized verified course sequence instructor

Once you have your supervisor, you’ll need to complete your field requirement hours.

Fieldwork Hour Requirements

Depending on the type of fieldwork hours you accrue, you’ll need to complete either 2,000

supervised fieldwork hours or 1,500 concentrated supervised fieldwork hours to meet your

requirement.

Depending on the pathway you’re taking, you’ll need the following:

› If you’re applying under Pathway One or Two, you must be enrolled in a graduate-level

behavior-analytic degree program (you can start accruing hours after attending the first

graduate-level class).

OR

› A passing grade of a “C” or higher in a graded course, or a “pass” in a pass/fail system,

must be earned in a qualifying behavior-analytic course.

However, there are some restrictions to keep in mind as you accrue your fieldwork hours.

For example, you must accrue a minimum of 20, but no more than 130, hours of fieldwork per

month—including independent hours (supervisor not present) and supervised hours (supervisor

present). Also, the duration of your fieldwork may not exceed five continuous years.

Client Requirements

Clients during your fieldwork can be any individual (or group of people) that behavior-analytic

services are appropriate for. However, you can’t have any relation to your clients, act as their

primary caregiver, or be related to their primary caregiver.

During your hours, you must work with, be observed by, and receive feedback from your

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supervisor for multiple clients during the experience. This requirement is applicable for the

duration of the fieldwork—not per supervisory period.

Fieldwork Activities

While completing your fieldwork, your focus is on acquiring the skills necessary to demonstrate

competence in behavior analysis and to interact effectively with consumers, supervisors, families,

and others.

Your supervisor will help you determine which activities qualify for field hours, but you should

expect to have several experiences in different settings and with different populations.

According to BACB, fieldwork consists of the following:

• Conducting assessments related to the need for behavior intervention (e.g.,

stimulus preference assessment, functional assessment, staff performance

assessment) or for evaluating behavior interventions

• Designing, implementing, and systematically monitoring skill-acquisition and

behavior reduction programs

• Writing behavior plans, progress summaries, clinical notes, transition summaries,

and professional correspondence

• Overseeing the implementation of behavior-analytic programs by others

• Training others, designing behavior systems, and performance management

• Communicating and collaborating effectively with caregivers and other

professionals

• Performing other normal activities of a behavior analyst, such as attending planning

meetings regarding the behavior-analytic program and researching the information

that is relevant to a current client’s programming

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4. APPLY FOR, TAKE, AND PASS
THE BCBA EXAM
Once you’ve completed both your course- and fieldwork, it’s time to take the BCBA exam. You’ll

need to apply (and pay application costs) in order to take the exam. Once you’re able to move

forward in the examination process, you’ll need to pass through Pearson VUE’s online-proctoring

platform, OnVUE.

The exam consists of 160 questions that test the knowledge you’ve gained and the skills you’ve
developed to become a BCBA, such as basic behavior-analytic skills, experimental design, and

behavior-change procedures. Candidates have four hours to complete it.

As with most standardized tests, you can study with third-party practice materials to help prepare

for the exam.

5. APPLY FOR STATE LICENSURE

to practice in, if required. You will also need to maintain your license and certification by meeting

requirements related to ethics and continuing education.

Continue reading to learn about the different types of ABA certifications you can obtain, and their

requirements.

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5 ABA CERTIFICATION
GUIDE: RBT, BCABA, BCBA,
AND BCBA-D

To satisfy the growing need for specialists, the BACB offers a number of potential ABA

certifications you can earn at different education levels. Here are the most common career paths

to consider and the basic steps you should take to get certified.

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TYPES OF ABA CERTIFICATIONS
1. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

As a reminder, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst is a master’s degree holder who has passed the

BACB exam. BCBAs observe patterns of behavior and try to understand how clients relate to their

environment, so they can develop a treatment plan to modify harmful habits and replace them

with beneficial ones.

To be eligible for BCBA certification, you must complete graduate-level ABA coursework at

a qualifying institution or from a degree program accredited by the Association for Behavior

Analysis International. Another option is to earn a related master’s degree and satisfy the

coursework requirements through a faculty teaching and research position. Regardless of which

path you choose, the next steps are completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork and

passing the certification exam.

2. Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D)

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral® (BCBA-D®) functions in the same capacity as a

BCBA, but has completed their training at the doctoral or postdoctoral level.

To be eligible for the BCBA-D certification exam, applicants must hold a doctoral degree from a

qualifying institution. They also need 10 years of full-time post-doctoral practical experience as a

behavior analyst and 500 hours of supervised fieldwork.

On the surface, these qualifications may seem steep. However, a BCBA-D typically practices as a

BCBA for several years and then decides to complete more education for higher credentials and

income. In a well-established ABA practice, it’s common for experienced BCBAs and BCBA-Ds to

move into administrative roles and oversee a team of analysts who more frequently work one on

one with clients. Because they hold a PhD, BCBA-Ds also have the option to become professors in

the field.

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3. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst holds an undergraduate-level certification in

behavior analysis. BCaBAs aren’t authorized to practice independently and must work under the

guidance of a BCBA.

Someone who wants to earn a BCaBA certification must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an

ABAI-accredited program or complete a related degree that includes eligible ABA coursework.

After finishing 1,000 to 1,300 hours of supervised fieldwork, graduates must pass the BCaBA

certification exam.

4. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

A Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) is a paraprofessional who works alongside certified

behavior analysts in support roles. RBTs are closely supervised by BCBAs and BCaBAs. They

help to implement behavioral strategies and may report feedback about client experiences, but

technicians aren’t responsible for developing or evaluating the treatment plans.

To become an RBT, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, be 18 years of age, and

pass a background check. Next, you’re required to receive 40 hours of qualified training overseen

by a BCBA. The training can be completed at colleges and vocational programs or through the

agency where you’re planning to work.

If you meet all of the above eligibility standards, you can have the initial competency assessment

administered by a BCBA supervisor. The final step is to take the certification exam.

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TAKING THE NEXT STEPS IN
YOUR ABA CAREER
A master’s in ABA is an excellent way of gaining the background and experience needed to

pursue the BCBA certification. Programs are structured to meet all the objectives covered in the

certification exams and prepare you for critical thinking on the job.

For example, the Regis College Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program is

designed to offer a multidimensional learning experience, combining research and investigative

studies with peer presentations, role-play, and field training.

ABA clinicians make a positive impact in the lives of clients who are coping with developmental

disabilities and other challenges, and applications of behavior analysis are continually expanding.

If you still have questions about behavior analysis, consider speaking to an admission counselor or

an ABA professional to decide whether an ABA degree is right for you.

Are you ready to learn more about the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis?

LEARN MORE >

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