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Indiana Behavior Analyst — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis under required supervision.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Application based on BACB certification
BCaBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-2 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCaBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$75 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Supervision
Provide a signed supervision contract with an Indiana LBA approved by BACB and a written record of supervision. IC 25-8.5-3-2(b) requires direct supervision by a behavior analyst licensed under that chapter; 844 IAC 21-4-6(b) also mentions a licensed psychologist approved by BACB. The controlling statutory LBA requirement is retained.
Renewal or reinstatement after CE noncompliance
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Noncompliance
First notice requires a review request or penalty and deficient CE completed within six months; a repeated notice in the preceding period results in denial until the statutory penalty, required CE, and other compliance requirements are met.
Restoration
Provide proof of CE compliance to replace a conditional license or reinstate the credential; satisfy the applicable renewal or reinstatement certification conditions.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
General health care reciprocity: equivalent
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Complete the required national criminal history background check.
Conduct
No disqualifying conduct, pending professional-conduct complaint or investigation, or discipline; submit the statutory good-standing affidavit.
Current license
Hold a current unlimited license or certificate from another United States state or jurisdiction.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Indiana law examination
IC 25-1-21-5(6) permits a law examination only if the profession law requires the Board to administer one. IC 25-8.5-3 and 844 IAC 21-2 prescribe certification and licensing requirements without establishing such an Indiana examination.
Other license verification
One verified current license permits issuance within 30 days after requirements are met; verify all remaining licenses by the first renewal.
Prior examination
IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B)(iii) requires a prior examination only if the other licensing jurisdiction required one; the provision identifies no particular nationwide examination. Such prior qualifications remain applicant conditions.
Qualification
The other jurisdiction requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the Indiana requirements under IC 25-1-21-5(1)(A).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

General health care reciprocity: prior qualifications
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Complete the required national criminal history background check.
Conduct
No disqualifying conduct, pending professional-conduct complaint or investigation, or discipline; submit the statutory good-standing affidavit.
Current license
Hold a current unlimited license or certificate from another United States state or jurisdiction.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Indiana law examination
IC 25-1-21-5(6) permits a law examination only if the profession law requires the Board to administer one. IC 25-8.5-3 and 844 IAC 21-2 prescribe certification and licensing requirements without establishing such an Indiana examination.
Other license verification
One verified current license permits issuance within 30 days after requirements are met; verify all remaining licenses by the first renewal.
Prior examination
IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B)(iii) requires a prior examination only if the other licensing jurisdiction required one; the provision identifies no particular nationwide examination. Such prior qualifications remain applicant conditions.
Qualification
At initial other-jurisdiction licensure, minimum education requirements existed, the applicant met any then-applicable experience and clinical supervision requirements, and passed an examination if required there, under IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal with active duty extension
BCaBA Certification Examination
Active duty
Called to qualifying out-of-state active duty; credential was not revoked, suspended, lapsed, or subject to a complaint at entry; it expires during deployment and no expiration notice was received before entry.
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Extension
Provide discharge or movement orders. Renewal and CE receive an extension to 180 days after discharge or release, extendible for duty-related illness, injury, or disability to at most 365 days; late fees are waived.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
Military service: other license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military service applicant holds a substantially equivalent or higher current credential from another jurisdiction and has held it for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military service: training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military service applicant completed military training, obtained and performed in an occupational specialty substantially equivalent to or exceeding the academic or experience requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse or dependent: existing professional credential
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Competency
Demonstrate occupational competency through methods determined by the Board; the statute identifies no specific examination.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military spouse or qualifying dependent holds a current substantially equivalent or higher credential in another jurisdiction for at least one year; is in good standing without discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military member, spouse, or dependent: work experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Good standing
Remain in good standing and have no discipline by an agency with jurisdiction.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Worked at least three years in a lawful occupation in a jurisdiction that does not license it; the Board determines that Indiana licenses a similar scope of practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation
BCaBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-2 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCaBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$75 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Revocation
IC 25-1-9-12 prohibits reinstating a revoked license; a new-license application is permitted only after seven years from revocation, subject to ordinary qualifications and Board review.
Supervision
Provide a signed supervision contract with an Indiana LBA approved by BACB and a written record of supervision. IC 25-8.5-3-2(b) requires direct supervision by a behavior analyst licensed under that chapter; 844 IAC 21-4-6(b) also mentions a licensed psychologist approved by BACB. The controlling statutory LBA requirement is retained.
Removal or modification of disciplinary probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board order
Satisfy imposed reporting, restricted practice, education, service, or other rehabilitation conditions.
Hearing
Board hearing and finding that the deficiency has been remedied; changed circumstances may warrant modification of disciplinary probation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Profession specific reciprocity under IC 25 8.5 3 3
BCaBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-2 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCaBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Current other license
Hold a valid current license from another United States state or territory whose education, experience, and certification requirements are substantially equal; issuance is discretionary under IC 25-8.5-3-3.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$50 reciprocity application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Scope statement
Provide the scope of practice in each other licensing jurisdiction and official verification of those licenses; license-card copies are insufficient.
Supervision
Provide a signed supervision contract with an Indiana LBA approved by BACB and a written record of supervision. IC 25-8.5-3-2(b) requires direct supervision by a behavior analyst licensed under that chapter; 844 IAC 21-4-6(b) also mentions a licensed psychologist approved by BACB. The controlling statutory LBA requirement is retained.
Reinstatement of license expired more than three years
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Lapse
License was not revoked or suspended and is more than three years delinquent.
Reinstatement
Submit renewal application and current renewal fee; reinstatement fee equals the current initial application fee; provide CE compliance or complete the statutory compliance process, remediation or additional training required by the Board, and other statutory or rule nonfee requirements.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
Reinstatement of license expired no more than three years
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Lapse
License was not revoked or suspended and is no more than three years delinquent.
Reinstatement
Submit renewal application, current renewal and reinstatement or penalty fees, verify current BACB certification at the appropriate level, and satisfy required CE or the statutory CE-compliance process.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
Biennial renewal
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
Reinstatement of surrendered license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The original surrender required written Board approval. The Board may impose any appropriate surrender or reinstatement conditions; no specific examination is identified.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after disciplinary suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Corrective conditions
The Board may impose disciplinary or corrective measures authorized by IC 25-1-9; no particular certification examination is identified by this reinstatement provision.
Hearing
After a hearing, the Board must be satisfied that the applicant can practice with reasonable skill and public safety.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conditional Assistant Behavior Analyst License

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis under required supervision.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Conditional renewal during CE compliance
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Ce deficiency
Upon first CE noncompliance notice at renewal, Board issues a conditional license pending review or compliance; request review within 21 days or pay the applicable civil penalty and complete deficient credits within six months.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCaBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $75 renewal fee.
Supervision
Submit a signed BACB-approved LBA supervision contract and a written record of LBA supervision during the preceding renewal period; ensure the supervisor license is current.
Conditional license while reinstatement is investigated
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
During the investigation of at most 120 days, the Board may issue a conditional license effective until reinstatement is denied or granted. This interim authorization identifies no examination.
Existing license
Applicant seeks reinstatement of a lapsed or delinquent existing license subject to a possible disciplinary investigation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Probationary Assistant Behavior Analyst License

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis under required supervision.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Initial probationary issuance: application
BCaBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-2 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Board discretion
Board may refuse licensure or issue a probationary license for relevant prior discipline or unlicensed practice; may impose reports, practice limits, education, service, or appropriate rehabilitation conditions.
Certification
Hold current BCaBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$75 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Supervision
Provide a signed supervision contract with an Indiana LBA approved by BACB and a written record of supervision. IC 25-8.5-3-2(b) requires direct supervision by a behavior analyst licensed under that chapter; 844 IAC 21-4-6(b) also mentions a licensed psychologist approved by BACB. The controlling statutory LBA requirement is retained.
Probationary status imposed on existing license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditions
Board may require reports, restricted practice, education under a preceptor, service, or other rehabilitation acts; modification requires the statutory hearing findings.
Disciplinary finding
Board finds a statutory ground for discipline and orders probation on an existing license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial probationary issuance: reciprocity
BCaBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-2 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Board discretion
Board may refuse licensure or issue a probationary license for relevant prior discipline or unlicensed practice; may impose reports, practice limits, education, service, or appropriate rehabilitation conditions.
Certification
Hold current BCaBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Current other license
Hold a valid current license from another United States state or territory whose education, experience, and certification requirements are substantially equal; issuance is discretionary under IC 25-8.5-3-3.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$50 reciprocity application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Scope statement
Provide the scope of practice in each other licensing jurisdiction and official verification of those licenses; license-card copies are insufficient.
Supervision
Provide a signed supervision contract with an Indiana LBA approved by BACB and a written record of supervision. IC 25-8.5-3-2(b) requires direct supervision by a behavior analyst licensed under that chapter; 844 IAC 21-4-6(b) also mentions a licensed psychologist approved by BACB. The controlling statutory LBA requirement is retained.

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Application based on BACB certification
BCBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-1 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$100 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Renewal or reinstatement after CE noncompliance
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Noncompliance
First notice requires a review request or penalty and deficient CE completed within six months; a repeated notice in the preceding period results in denial until the statutory penalty, required CE, and other compliance requirements are met.
Restoration
Provide proof of CE compliance to replace a conditional license or reinstate the credential; satisfy the applicable renewal or reinstatement certification conditions.
General health care reciprocity: equivalent
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Complete the required national criminal history background check.
Conduct
No disqualifying conduct, pending professional-conduct complaint or investigation, or discipline; submit the statutory good-standing affidavit.
Current license
Hold a current unlimited license or certificate from another United States state or jurisdiction.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Indiana law examination
IC 25-1-21-5(6) permits a law examination only if the profession law requires the Board to administer one. IC 25-8.5-3 and 844 IAC 21-2 prescribe certification and licensing requirements without establishing such an Indiana examination.
Other license verification
One verified current license permits issuance within 30 days after requirements are met; verify all remaining licenses by the first renewal.
Prior examination
IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B)(iii) requires a prior examination only if the other licensing jurisdiction required one; the provision identifies no particular nationwide examination. Such prior qualifications remain applicant conditions.
Qualification
The other jurisdiction requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the Indiana requirements under IC 25-1-21-5(1)(A).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

General health care reciprocity: prior qualifications
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Complete the required national criminal history background check.
Conduct
No disqualifying conduct, pending professional-conduct complaint or investigation, or discipline; submit the statutory good-standing affidavit.
Current license
Hold a current unlimited license or certificate from another United States state or jurisdiction.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Indiana law examination
IC 25-1-21-5(6) permits a law examination only if the profession law requires the Board to administer one. IC 25-8.5-3 and 844 IAC 21-2 prescribe certification and licensing requirements without establishing such an Indiana examination.
Other license verification
One verified current license permits issuance within 30 days after requirements are met; verify all remaining licenses by the first renewal.
Prior examination
IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B)(iii) requires a prior examination only if the other licensing jurisdiction required one; the provision identifies no particular nationwide examination. Such prior qualifications remain applicant conditions.
Qualification
At initial other-jurisdiction licensure, minimum education requirements existed, the applicant met any then-applicable experience and clinical supervision requirements, and passed an examination if required there, under IC 25-1-21-5(1)(B).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal with active duty extension
BCBA Certification Examination
Active duty
Called to qualifying out-of-state active duty; credential was not revoked, suspended, lapsed, or subject to a complaint at entry; it expires during deployment and no expiration notice was received before entry.
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Extension
Provide discharge or movement orders. Renewal and CE receive an extension to 180 days after discharge or release, extendible for duty-related illness, injury, or disability to at most 365 days; late fees are waived.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Military service: other license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military service applicant holds a substantially equivalent or higher current credential from another jurisdiction and has held it for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military service: training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military service applicant completed military training, obtained and performed in an occupational specialty substantially equivalent to or exceeding the academic or experience requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse or dependent: existing professional credential
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Competency
Demonstrate occupational competency through methods determined by the Board; the statute identifies no specific examination.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Military spouse or qualifying dependent holds a current substantially equivalent or higher credential in another jurisdiction for at least one year; is in good standing without discipline.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military member, spouse, or dependent: work experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply to the licensing Board under the notwithstanding-any-other-law provisions of IC 25-1-17.
Conduct
No act that would justify refusal, suspension, or revocation in Indiana; no pending professional-conduct or crime complaint or investigation.
Fee
Pay required Board fees.
Good standing
Remain in good standing and have no discipline by an agency with jurisdiction.
Profession
The license is for the same behavior-analysis occupation and practice level determined by the Board.
Qualification
Worked at least three years in a lawful occupation in a jurisdiction that does not license it; the Board determines that Indiana licenses a similar scope of practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation
BCBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-1 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$100 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Revocation
IC 25-1-9-12 prohibits reinstating a revoked license; a new-license application is permitted only after seven years from revocation, subject to ordinary qualifications and Board review.
Removal or modification of disciplinary probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board order
Satisfy imposed reporting, restricted practice, education, service, or other rehabilitation conditions.
Hearing
Board hearing and finding that the deficiency has been remedied; changed circumstances may warrant modification of disciplinary probation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Profession specific reciprocity under IC 25 8.5 3 3
BCBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-1 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Certification
Hold current BCBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Current other license
Hold a valid current license from another United States state or territory whose education, experience, and certification requirements are substantially equal; issuance is discretionary under IC 25-8.5-3-3.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$75 reciprocity application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Scope statement
Provide the scope of practice in each other licensing jurisdiction and official verification of those licenses; license-card copies are insufficient.
Reinstatement of license expired more than three years
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Lapse
License was not revoked or suspended and is more than three years delinquent.
Reinstatement
Submit renewal application and current renewal fee; reinstatement fee equals the current initial application fee; provide CE compliance or complete the statutory compliance process, remediation or additional training required by the Board, and other statutory or rule nonfee requirements.
Reinstatement of license expired no more than three years
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Lapse
License was not revoked or suspended and is no more than three years delinquent.
Reinstatement
Submit renewal application, current renewal and reinstatement or penalty fees, verify current BACB certification at the appropriate level, and satisfy required CE or the statutory CE-compliance process.
Biennial renewal
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Reinstatement of surrendered license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The original surrender required written Board approval. The Board may impose any appropriate surrender or reinstatement conditions; no specific examination is identified.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after disciplinary suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Corrective conditions
The Board may impose disciplinary or corrective measures authorized by IC 25-1-9; no particular certification examination is identified by this reinstatement provision.
Hearing
After a hearing, the Board must be satisfied that the applicant can practice with reasonable skill and public safety.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conditional Behavior Analyst License

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Conditional renewal during CE compliance
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit renewal application, demographic and fitness information, and licensing-jurisdiction discipline statements.
Ce deficiency
Upon first CE noncompliance notice at renewal, Board issues a conditional license pending review or compliance; request review within 21 days or pay the applicable civil penalty and complete deficient credits within six months.
Certification
BACB must verify active BCBA certification with no prior or pending BACB discipline.
Continuing education
Complete one CE unit in trauma-informed care and one CE unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting; CE may also maintain BACB certification.
Deadline
Renew biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Fee
Pay the $100 renewal fee.
Conditional license while reinstatement is investigated
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
During the investigation of at most 120 days, the Board may issue a conditional license effective until reinstatement is denied or granted. This interim authorization identifies no examination.
Existing license
Applicant seeks reinstatement of a lapsed or delinquent existing license subject to a possible disciplinary investigation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Probationary Behavior Analyst License

Indiana license to practice behavior analysis.

Licensing authority: Indiana Medical Licensing Board / Behavior Analyst Committee · Application information

Initial probationary issuance: application
BCBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-1 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Board discretion
Board may refuse licensure or issue a probationary license for relevant prior discipline or unlicensed practice; may impose reports, practice limits, education, service, or appropriate rehabilitation conditions.
Certification
Hold current BCBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$100 initial application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Probationary status imposed on existing license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditions
Board may require reports, restricted practice, education under a preceptor, service, or other rehabilitation acts; modification requires the statutory hearing findings.
Disciplinary finding
Board finds a statutory ground for discipline and orders probation on an existing license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial probationary issuance: reciprocity
BCBA Certification Examination
Alternate certification
IC 25-8.5-3-1 accepts certification by BACB, its successor, or another entity approved by the Committee. 844 IAC 21-2-6 requires nearly identical education, coursework, supervised fieldwork, and examination standards for approved alternate boards; this open approval provision identifies no additional examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and required demographic information, including Social Security number, contact and citizenship information, military and employment history, gender, and other licenses.
Application deadline
The PLA general instructions treat an application as abandoned if all requirements are not submitted within one year.
Board discretion
Board may refuse licensure or issue a probationary license for relevant prior discipline or unlicensed practice; may impose reports, practice limits, education, service, or appropriate rehabilitation conditions.
Certification
Hold current BCBA certification in good standing, verified by the Committee with BACB; provide the certification number.
Criminal history
Submit to the required national criminal history background check and furnish satisfactory evidence of no conviction directly bearing on competent practice.
Current other license
Hold a valid current license from another United States state or territory whose education, experience, and certification requirements are substantially equal; issuance is discretionary under IC 25-8.5-3-3.
Examination timing
The BACB certification examination is carried as a currently offered registered examination involved in certification; current certification is verified. An already certified applicant is not thereby required to retake the examination.
Expired emergency pathway
IC 25-1-5.7-8 ends the emergency temporary-license chapter at the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE, which CDC confirms ended May 11, 2023; that chapter supplies no current temporary credential.
Fee
$75 reciprocity application fee.
Fitness
Report disciplinary, criminal, and substance abuse history; furnish satisfactory evidence of no discipline for unsafe practice and statements from each licensing jurisdiction concerning prior or pending disciplinary proceedings.
Name changes
Provide legal name-change documentation when document names differ.
Positive responses
Explain each positive application answer fully and provide supporting court documents; identify malpractice plaintiffs where applicable.
Scope statement
Provide the scope of practice in each other licensing jurisdiction and official verification of those licenses; license-card copies are insufficient.

BCaBA Certification Examination

Provider
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB); delivered by Pearson VUE in person at authorized Pearson VUE testing sites
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination, continuously available and offered only in English; each question has 4 possible answers and only 1 correct answer; all questions are equally weighted and the result is based on overall performance
Exam questions
175 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored and 25 unscored
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
Pass/fail; criterion-referenced passing score established by the modified Angoff method
Exam fee
$175 certification application (BACB) plus $125 examination appointment (Pearson VUE)
Examination outline
  • A. Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations (10 of 150 scored questions) (7%)
    • A.1. Explain the goals of behavior analysis as a natural science (i.e., description, prediction, control).
    • A.2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism).
    • A.3. Describe and explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
    • A.4. Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
    • A.5. Identify and describe dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).
  • B. Concepts and Principles (18 of 150 scored questions) (12%)
    • B.1. Identify and distinguish among behavior, response, and response class.
    • B.2. Identify and distinguish between stimulus and stimulus class.
    • B.3. Identify and distinguish between respondent and operant conditioning.
    • B.4. Identify and distinguish between positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.
    • B.5. Identify and distinguish between positive and negative punishment contingencies.
    • B.6. Identify and distinguish between automatic and socially mediated contingencies.
    • B.7. Identify and distinguish among unconditioned, conditioned, and generalized reinforcers and punishers.
    • B.8. Identify and distinguish among simple schedules of reinforcement.
    • B.9. Identify examples of operant extinction.
    • B.10. Identify and distinguish between types of stimulus control.
    • B.11. Identify and distinguish between discrimination and generalization.
    • B.12. Define and identify examples of unconditioned motivating operations.
    • B.13. Identify and distinguish between rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior.
    • B.14. Identify and distinguish among elementary verbal operants.
    • B.15. Define and identify examples of processes that promote emergent relations and generative performance.
  • C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation (20 of 150 scored questions) (13%)
    • C.1. Define and identify dimensions of behavior (e.g., count, duration, magnitude).
    • C.2. Describe the form (i.e., topography) and develop operational definitions of behavior.
    • C.3. Distinguish among direct, indirect, and product measures of behavior.
    • C.4. Develop and implement continuous measurement procedures (e.g., duration recording, event recording).
    • C.5. Develop and implement discontinuous measurement procedures (e.g., interval recording, time sampling).
    • C.6. Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.
    • C.7. Select a measurement system to obtain representative data given the dimensions of behavior and the logistics of observing and recording.
    • C.8. Graph data to communicate relevant quantitative relations (e.g., equal-interval graphs, bar graphs, cumulative records).
    • C.9. Interpret graphed data.
    • C.10. Develop and evaluate mastery criteria.
  • D. Experimental Design (10 of 150 scored questions) (7%)
    • D.1. Distinguish between dependent and independent variables.
    • D.2. Distinguish between internal and external validity.
    • D.3. Identify the defining features of single-case experimental designs (e.g., individuals serve as their own controls, repeated measures, prediction, verification, replication).
    • D.4. Identify strengths of single-case experimental design.
    • D.5. Distinguish among and implement single-case experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline, multielement, changing criterion).
    • D.6. Distinguish among and implement comparative, component, and parametric analyses.
  • E. Ethical and Professional Issues (18 of 150 scored questions) (12%)
    • E.1. Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics codes for BACB certificants (e.g., benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity).
    • E.2. Identify the risks to oneself, others, and the profession associated with engaging in unethical behavior (e.g., misuse of social media, misrepresentation of one’s credential, making confidential information public).
    • E.3. Identify one’s area(s) of competence and when to seek a supervisor’s guidance.
    • E.4. Identify professional development activities that strengthen and expand areas of competence (e.g., attend conferences, read literature, seek consultation, establish mentors).
    • E.5. Identify and comply with requirements for collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing confidential information.
    • E.6. Identify steps that should be taken when transitioning clients or supervisees to another professional or when a BCaBA transitions to a different supervisor.
    • E.7. Identify types of and risks associated with multiple relationships, and how to mitigate those risks when they are unavoidable.
    • E.8. Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills (e.g., accepting feedback, listening actively, seeking input, collaborating) to establish and maintain professional relationships.
    • E.9. Engage in cultural humility in service delivery and professional relationships.
    • E.10. Apply culturally responsive and inclusive service and supervision activities.
    • E.11. Identify and apply the legal, regulatory, and practice requirements (e.g., licensure, jurisprudence, funding, certification) relevant to the delivery of behavior-analytic services.
  • F. Behavior Assessment (17 of 150 scored questions) (11%)
    • F.1. Review relevant information in available records and data (e.g., educational, medical, historical) at the outset of a case.
    • F.2. Identify conditions that warrant behavior-analytic services.
    • F.3. Identify and prioritize socially significant, client-informed, and culturally responsive behavior-change goals.
    • F.4. Implement assessments of relevant skill strengths and deficits, and contextual fit (e.g., client values, cultural variables, social validity, environmental resources).
    • F.5. Implement preference and reinforcer assessments.
    • F.6. Implement functional assessments of behavior, including indirect, descriptive, and experimental analyses.
  • G. Behavior-Change Procedures (22 of 150 scored questions) (15%)
    • G.1. Develop and implement positive and negative reinforcement procedures, including contingent and noncontingent applications.
    • G.2. Develop and implement procedures to establish and use conditioned reinforcers.
    • G.3. Develop and implement procedures that incorporate motivating operations and discriminative stimuli.
    • G.4. Develop and implement procedures to teach simple and conditional discriminations.
    • G.5. Develop and implement procedures using stimulus and response prompts that include appropriate fading procedures (e.g., errorless, least-to-most, stimulus fading).
    • G.6. Develop and implement modeling procedures.
    • G.7. Develop and implement procedures that use instructions and rules.
    • G.8. Develop and implement shaping procedures.
    • G.9. Develop and implement chaining procedures.
    • G.10. Develop and implement procedures to teach elementary verbal operants.
    • G.11. Develop and implement procedures to promote emergent relations and generative performance.
    • G.12. Develop and implement procedures that promote behavioral persistence.
    • G.13. Develop and implement acquisition procedures that are appropriate to the client’s skills and intervention goals (e.g., discrete-trial, free-operant, and naturalistic teaching arrangements).
    • G.14. Develop and implement group contingency procedures.
    • G.15. Develop and implement contingency contracting procedures.
    • G.16. Develop and implement self-management procedures.
    • G.17. Develop and implement procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.
    • G.18. Develop and implement differential reinforcement procedures with and without extinction.
    • G.19. Define and implement positive and negative punishment procedures (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).
    • G.20. Develop and implement procedures to promote maintenance of behavior change.
  • H. Intervention Development and Monitoring (20 of 150 scored questions) (13%)
    • H.1. State intervention goals in observable and measurable terms.
    • H.2. Identify potential interventions based on assessment results and scientific evidence.
    • H.3. Develop intervention goals and procedures based on risks and contextual fit (e.g., client preferences and values, cultural variables, social validity, environmental resources).
    • H.4. Identify alternative behaviors to be established or increased when a target behavior is to be decreased.
    • H.5. Identify possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.
    • H.6. Evaluate client progress and procedural integrity.
    • H.7. Make data-based decisions about the effectiveness of procedures and the need for modification.
    • H.8. Collaborate with and include others who support and/or provide services to clients.
  • I. Supervisory Relationships (15 of 150 scored questions) (10%)
    • I.1. Use behavior-analytic supervision practices and state the potential risks of ineffective supervision (e.g., poor client outcomes, impaired job satisfaction, employee turnover).
    • I.2. Identify and apply strategies for establishing and maintaining effective supervisory relationships (e.g., active listening, providing reinforcement, reciprocal feedback).
    • I.3. Identify and implement methods that promote equity in supervision practices.
    • I.4. Establish clear performance expectations for the supervisor and supervisee.
    • I.5. Select supervision goals based on an assessment of the supervisee’s skills.
    • I.6. Apply empirically validated and competency-based approaches to train supervisees to perform assessment and intervention procedures.
    • I.7. Identify and apply empirically validated and culturally responsive performance management procedures (e.g., modeling, practice, feedback, reinforcement, task clarification, manipulation of response effort).
    • I.8. Apply a function-based approach (e.g., performance diagnostics) to assess and improve supervisee behavior.
    • I.9. Evaluate the effects of supervision (e.g., on client outcomes, on supervisee repertoires).
Examination sources

BCBA Certification Examination

Provider
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB); delivered by Pearson VUE in person at authorized Pearson VUE testing sites
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination, continuously available and offered only in English; each question has 4 possible answers and only 1 correct answer; all questions are equally weighted and the result is based on overall performance
Exam questions
185 multiple-choice questions: 175 scored and 10 unscored
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
Pass/fail; criterion-referenced passing score established by the modified Angoff method
Exam fee
$245 certification application (BACB) plus $125 examination appointment (Pearson VUE); $140 examination retake application
Examination outline
  • A. Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations (8 of 175 scored questions) (5%)
    • A.1. Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science (i.e., description, prediction, control).
    • A.2. Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism).
    • A.3. Explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
    • A.4. Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
    • A.5. Identify and describe dimensions of applied behavior analysis.
  • B. Concepts and Principles (24 of 175 scored questions) (14%)
    • B.1. Identify and distinguish among behavior, response, and response class.
    • B.2. Identify and distinguish between stimulus and stimulus class.
    • B.3. Identify and distinguish between respondent and operant conditioning.
    • B.4. Identify and distinguish between positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.
    • B.5. Identify and distinguish between positive and negative punishment contingencies.
    • B.6. Identify and distinguish between automatic and socially mediated contingencies.
    • B.7. Identify and distinguish among unconditioned, conditioned, and generalized reinforcers.
    • B.8. Identify and distinguish among unconditioned, conditioned, and generalized punishers.
    • B.9. Identify and distinguish among simple schedules of reinforcement.
    • B.10. Identify and distinguish among concurrent, multiple, mixed, and chained schedules of reinforcement.
    • B.11. Identify and distinguish between operant and respondent extinction as operations and processes.
    • B.12. Identify examples of stimulus control.
    • B.13. Identify examples of stimulus discrimination.
    • B.14. Identify and distinguish between stimulus and response generalization.
    • B.15. Identify examples of response maintenance.
    • B.16. Identify examples of motivating operations.
    • B.17. Distinguish between motivating operations and stimulus control.
    • B.18. Identify and distinguish between rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior.
    • B.19. Identify and distinguish among verbal operants.
    • B.20. Identify the role of multiple control in verbal behavior.
    • B.21. Identify examples of processes that promote emergent relations and generative performance.
    • B.22. Identify ways behavioral momentum can be used to understand response persistence.
    • B.23. Identify ways the matching law can be used to interpret response allocation.
    • B.24. Identify and distinguish between imitation and observational learning.
  • C. Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation (21 of 175 scored questions) (12%)
    • C.1. Create operational definitions of behavior.
    • C.2. Distinguish among direct, indirect, and product measures of behavior.
    • C.3. Measure occurrence.
    • C.4. Measure temporal dimensions of behavior (e.g., duration, latency, interresponse time).
    • C.5. Distinguish between continuous and discontinuous measurement procedures.
    • C.6. Design and apply discontinuous measurement procedures (e.g., interval recording, time sampling).
    • C.7. Measure efficiency (e.g., trials to criterion, cost-benefit analysis, training duration).
    • C.8. Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.
    • C.9. Select a measurement procedure to obtain representative data that accounts for the critical dimension of the behavior and environmental constraints.
    • C.10. Graph data to communicate relevant quantitative relations (e.g., equal-interval graphs, bar graphs, cumulative records).
    • C.11. Interpret graphed data.
    • C.12. Select a measurement procedure to obtain representative procedural integrity data that accounts for relevant dimensions (e.g., accuracy, dosage) and environmental constraints.
  • D. Experimental Design (13 of 175 scored questions) (7%)
    • D.1. Distinguish between dependent and independent variables.
    • D.2. Distinguish between internal and external validity.
    • D.3. Identify threats to internal validity (e.g., history, maturation).
    • D.4. Identify the defining features of single-case experimental designs (e.g., individuals serve as their own controls, repeated measures, prediction, verification, replication).
    • D.5. Identify the relative strengths of single-case experimental designs and group designs.
    • D.6. Critique and interpret data from single-case experimental designs.
    • D.7. Distinguish among reversal, multiple-baseline, multielement, and changing-criterion designs.
    • D.8. Identify rationales for conducting comparative, component, and parametric analyses.
    • D.9. Apply single-case experimental designs.
  • E. Ethical and Professional Issues (22 of 175 scored questions) (13%)
    • E.1. Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics codes for BACB certificants (e.g., benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity).
    • E.2. Identify the risks to oneself, others, and the profession as a result of engaging in unethical behavior.
    • E.3. Develop and maintain competence by engaging in professional development activities (e.g., read literature, seek consultation, establish mentors).
    • E.4. Identify and comply with requirements for collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing confidential information.
    • E.5. Identify and comply with requirements for making public statements about professional activities (e.g., social media activity; misrepresentation of professional credentials, behavior analysis, and service outcomes).
    • E.6. Identify the conditions under which services or supervision should be discontinued and apply steps that should be taken when transitioning clients and supervisees to another professional.
    • E.7. Identify types of and risks associated with multiple relationships, and how to mitigate those risks when they are unavoidable.
    • E.8. Identify and apply interpersonal and other skills (e.g., accepting feedback, listening actively, seeking input, collaborating) to establish and maintain professional relationships.
    • E.9. Engage in cultural humility in service delivery and professional relationships.
    • E.10. Apply culturally responsive and inclusive service and supervision activities.
    • E.11. Identify personal biases and how they might interfere with professional activity.
    • E.12. Identify and apply the legal, regulatory, and practice requirements (e.g., licensure, jurisprudence, funding, certification) relevant to the delivery of behavior-analytic services.
  • F. Behavior Assessment (23 of 175 scored questions) (13%)
    • F.1. Identify relevant sources of information in records (e.g., educational, medical, historical) at the outset of the case.
    • F.2. Identify and integrate relevant cultural variables in the assessment process.
    • F.3. Design and evaluate assessments of relevant skill strengths and areas of need.
    • F.4. Design and evaluate preference assessments.
    • F.5. Design and evaluate descriptive assessments.
    • F.6. Design and evaluate functional analyses.
    • F.7. Interpret assessment data to determine the need for behavior-analytic services and/or referral to others.
    • F.8. Interpret assessment data to identify and prioritize socially significant, client-informed, and culturally responsive behavior-change procedures and goals.
  • G. Behavior-Change Procedures (25 of 175 scored questions) (14%)
    • G.1. Design and evaluate positive and negative reinforcement procedures.
    • G.2. Design and evaluate differential reinforcement (e.g., DRA, DRO, DRL, DRH) procedures with and without extinction.
    • G.3. Design and evaluate time-based reinforcement (e.g., fixed-time) schedules.
    • G.4. Identify procedures to establish and use conditioned reinforcers (e.g., token economies).
    • G.5. Incorporate motivating operations and discriminative stimuli into behavior-change procedures.
    • G.6. Design and evaluate procedures to produce simple and conditional discriminations.
    • G.7. Select and evaluate stimulus and response prompting procedures (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most).
    • G.8. Design and implement procedures to fade stimulus and response prompts (e.g., prompt delay, stimulus fading).
    • G.9. Design and evaluate modeling procedures.
    • G.10. Design and evaluate instructions and rules.
    • G.11. Shape dimensions of behavior.
    • G.12. Select and implement chaining procedures.
    • G.13. Design and evaluate trial-based and free-operant procedures.
    • G.14. Design and evaluate group contingencies.
    • G.15. Design and evaluate procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.
    • G.16. Design and evaluate procedures to maintain desired behavior change following intervention (e.g., schedule thinning, transferring to naturally occurring reinforcers).
    • G.17. Design and evaluate positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).
    • G.18. Evaluate emotional and elicited effects of behavior-change procedures.
    • G.19. Design and evaluate procedures to promote emergent relations and generative performance.
  • H. Selecting and Implementing Interventions (20 of 175 scored questions) (11%)
    • H.1. Develop intervention goals in observable and measurable terms.
    • H.2. Identify and recommend interventions based on assessment results, scientific evidence, client preferences, and contextual fit (e.g., expertise required for implementation, cultural variables, environmental resources).
    • H.3. Select socially valid alternative behavior to be established or increased when a target behavior is to be decreased.
    • H.4. Plan for and attempt to mitigate possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.
    • H.5. Plan for and attempt to mitigate possible relapse of the target behavior.
    • H.6. Make data-based decisions about procedural integrity.
    • H.7. Make data-based decisions about the effectiveness of the intervention and the need for modification.
    • H.8. Collaborate with others to support and enhance client services.
  • I. Personnel Supervision and Management (19 of 175 scored questions) (11%)
    • I.1. Identify the benefits of using behavior-analytic supervision (e.g., improved client outcomes, improved staff performance and retention).
    • I.2. Identify and apply strategies for establishing effective supervisory relationships (e.g., executing supervisor-supervisee contracts, establishing clear expectations, giving and accepting feedback).
    • I.3. Identify and implement methods that promote equity in supervision practices.
    • I.4. Select supervision goals based on an assessment of the supervisee’s skills, cultural variables, and the environment.
    • I.5. Identify and apply empirically validated and culturally responsive performance management procedures (e.g., modeling, practice, feedback, reinforcement, task clarification, manipulation of response effort).
    • I.6. Apply a function-based approach (e.g., performance diagnostics) to assess and improve supervisee behavior.
    • I.7. Make data-based decisions about the efficacy of supervisory practices.
Examination sources