The road to earning a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) prepares you to make positive differences in the lives of people with behavioral and psychological disorders. People who specialize in ABA help individuals struggling with disorders and disabilities that hinder their ability to function in everyday life. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is similar to an applied behavior analyst, but they have taken the necessary steps for certification.

Autism is an example of a disorder that behavior analysts treat. ABA professionals study the problems that people with autism face and develop plans to help them improve their quality of life in areas such as communication, reading comprehension and social skills.

The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in April 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.  

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides behavior-analytic services in a range of settings and with a variety of different types of clients. A BCBA offers thorough assessments and evaluations for each client and identifies appropriate plans to intervene and improve targeted behaviors.

Wondering how to become a behavior analyst? Let’s look at common pathways for how to become a BCBA.

According to the BCBA Handbook (last updated August 2025), candidates may qualify for BCBA certification through four eligibility pathways. Each requires:

The four current pathways are:

Note about 2027 changes:
The BACB has published BCBA 2027 Eligibility Requirements, which will consolidate the pathways into two and make additional changes to coursework and fieldwork expectations (including added diversity, equity, and inclusion content and changes to continuing education).

Students who expect to apply for certification on or after January 1, 2027 should monitor the BACB’s “Recent & Upcoming Changes” page and the most current BCBA Handbook as they plan coursework and supervised experience.Learn more about the ABA certification and its various levels.

Steps to become a BCBA

The steps below represent one pathway that potential BCBA candidates can pursue. This example follows the BACB’s “Coursework” path. However, other pathways are possible for candidates with different educational backgrounds and experience.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or another field

Since a master’s degree is required to pursue a career as a BCBA, individuals must first earn a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate studies in psychology and human behavior may be useful but are not a necessary requirement to apply for a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis.

2. Enroll in a graduate degree in applied behavior analysis

Under Pathway 2, you must earn a master’s degree or higher from a qualifying institution.

When you’re evaluating graduate programs in applied behavior analysis or related fields, check:

• Whether the university meets the BACB’s definition of a qualifying institution.
• Whether the program offers coursework that meets current BACB content-hour requirements (for Pathway 2) and has a designated Pathway 2 Program Contact, which becomes mandatory for new applicants on or after January 1, 2026.
• If it is ABAI-accredited/recognized or APBA-accredited (Pathway 1). These programs typically integrate the needed coursework and may also support supervised fieldwork placements.

Programs may be on campus, online, or hybrid. Typical completion times range from 18 to 30 months, depending on whether you study full- or part-time and how fieldwork is structured.

3. Complete required coursework

The BACB sets detailed coursework content requirements. For Pathway 2, current standards require at least 315 hours of graduate-level instruction across defined content areas. Under the August 2025 BCBA Handbook, the coursework must:

• Be graduate level (master’s or doctoral) from your qualifying institution.
• Be completed within 10 years of your application year (for example, coursework from 2015 or later to apply in 2025).
• Be taken at an institution that has a Pathway 2 Program Contact (for applicants applying for certification on or after Jan 1, 2026).
• Cover all of the BACB-specified content areas and hours, which currently include:
  • Ethics, BACB Ethics Code, and professionalism – 45 hours
  • Philosophical underpinnings, concepts, and principles of behavior analysis – 90 hours
  • Measurement, data display and interpretation, and experimental design – 45 hours
  • Behavior assessment – 45 hours
  • Behavior-change procedures and implementation – 60 hours
  • Personnel supervision and management – 30 hours
  • Total minimum: 315 hours

You must earn a passing grade (“C” or better or “Pass” in pass/fail systems) in each course for your hours to count.

Because coursework rules and evaluation systems (like Verified Course Sequences and Pathway 2 attestations) are changing over the next few years, students should always confirm with:

• Their program chair or Pathway 2 Program Contact, and
• The latest version of the BCBA Handbook is on the BACB website.

4. Complete experience hours

All applicants must complete relevant, supervised experience as part of their education and training.

Alongside coursework, you must complete supervised fieldwork in applied behavior analysis that meets BACB standards. You can accrue hours through one or both of these formats:

• Supervised Fieldwork
  • 2,000 hours of fieldwork
  • At least 5% of your hours in each supervisory period must involve direct supervision (e.g., observation, feedback, and meetings with your supervisor).

• Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork
  • 1,500 hours of fieldwork
  • At least 10% of your hours in each supervisory period must be supervised.

5. Take the BCBA exam

The BCBA exam evaluates knowledge of the BCBA/BCaBA task list. The test consists of 185 multiple-choice questions, 10 of which are ungraded, pilot questions. All candidates have four hours to complete the exam.

The exam focuses on the significant disciplines associated with BCBA including:

• Basic behavior-analytic skills and concepts
• Assessment and measurement
• Behavior-change procedures and intervention
• Experimental design
• Ethics and professional conduct

Like most tests, there are several third-party materials and study guides available for BCBA exam prep. Using these tools can familiarize candidates with content material and reduce test anxiety. Some companies also provide mock exams to resemble the real exam.

6. Apply for licensure

Once you obtain your BCBA certificate, some states may require you to apply for licensure to practice independently.

It is important to consult your state board for more information as licensure requirements are subject to change and may differ based on individual student backgrounds, including coursework taken outside the scope of the program.

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Each state has its own licensure requirements; however, New York requires a different certification other than a BCBA certification to be able to practice. While a BCBA certification may be helpful to have, New York state does not require it, and it does not make you eligible to practice in the state. A separate certification, the Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) certification, is needed to practice in New York. LBAs have a limited range of practice compared to BCBAs and provide behavioral health treatments specifically for persons with autism and autism spectrum disorders and related disorders. 

Learn more about the differences between an LBA and a BCBA.

While there are similarities between the two, a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is a certified behavior analyst at the undergraduate level and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst is certified at the master’s degree level. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts do provide behavior-analytic services; however, they may only provide these services underneath the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. An assistant behavior analyst can complete their required coursework through an ABAI-accredited undergraduate program or a Verified Course Sequence.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all BCBA job description, there are a few specific tasks and duties required for most professionals.

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Regardless of the particular job, BCBAs need excellent communication and writing skills. They are usually responsible for maintaining detailed notes, creating curriculum, analyzing and editing reports and discussing cases with other colleagues and service providers. Additionally, they are responsible for staying aware of recent trends and research in the industry.

There are various applied behavior analysis career options, and there are also many different work settings available for employment.

BCBA jobs may involve some form of counseling. Counseling can occur in a variety of settings including schools, private or public residential programs, hospitals and clinics. Moreover, counselors can work with individuals of all ages and demographics.

Psychological assistants: These professionals support licensed psychologists with clinical tasks related to both counseling and research.

Special education assistants: These assistants work in schools, facilities and hospitals. They often work directly with teachers and families to provide effective care for the client. Some BCBA professionals pursue additional coursework to become a special education teacher.

Occupational therapy assistants (OTA): OTAs support individuals with various conditions to restore independent living skills through exercise and behavior change techniques. They can be employed in a variety of sectors.

Certified alcohol and drug counselors: These specific counselors work in a variety of settings that provide change for people challenged with substance use disorders. They may work in either inpatient or outpatient units providing both short-term or long-term care.

Certified personal trainers (CPT): CPTs support and motivate clients toward wellness and fitness intentions. As behavior analysts receive training in rewarding positive behavior, this can be an excellent choice for individuals who enjoy exercise and want to help others achieve their goals.

Behavior analysts, typically known as behavior disorder counselors or applied behavior science specialists, work in a variety of industries and settings. While many ABA professionals work with children, they may also work with adult clients. ABA professionals work in a variety of locations, including schools, clinics and rehabilitation centers. 

O*Net classifies applied behavior science specialists under clinical, counseling, and school psychologist—as the job description appears mostly in line with these similar occupations.  As of May 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the highest levels of employment for this group of professionals are in the following industries: 

BLS Clinical and Counseling Psychologist salary is used due to the lack of behavior analyst data. Data retrieved: November 2025

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical and counseling psychologists was $95,830 as of May 2024, although salaries ranged from $50,470 to over $170,150. The demand is highest in Colorado, Oregon, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Washington.

Last updated November 2025