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Missouri Behavior Analyst — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Ordinary Missouri assistant behavior analyst license.

Licensing authority: Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board / State Committee of Psychologists · Application information

Expedited military or law enforcement spouse reciprocity
BCaBA Certification Examination
Applicant
Meet section 324.009.2 and qualify as a resident or nonresident military or law enforcement spouse under the definitions in section 324.009.1.
Certification
Section 324.009 waives examinations, education, and experience; it does not expressly waive active certification required by section 337.315.
Eligibility
The license must remain current and in good standing; disqualifying criminal history, unresolved complaints, investigation, discipline, and compact-derived licenses are governed by section 324.009.4, .5, .10, and .11.
Fees And Fingerprints
Section 324.009 does not waive fees, bonds, insurance, or the authority to require fingerprints.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.
Waiver
Section 324.009.3(2) directs issuance within thirty days with waiver of examination, education, and experience requirements. All identified examinations are retained as leaves with this statutory waiver stated as an applicant condition.
Initial licensure by certification examination
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Board Education Instruction
The Board assistant application instructions state: "All applicants for licensure must have completed a graduate level degree in Behavioral Analysis and the required field work per BACB certification requirements"; 20 CSR 2063-4.005 governs eligibility at the applicable certification level.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.
Ordinary licensure with another jurisdiction license
BCaBA Certification Examination
Applicant
Applicant already licensed as a behavior analyst at the same practice level in another jurisdiction; ordinary requirements continue to apply unless a statutory reciprocity waiver applies.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Board Education Instruction
The Board assistant application instructions state: "All applicants for licensure must have completed a graduate level degree in Behavioral Analysis and the required field work per BACB certification requirements"; 20 CSR 2063-4.005 governs eligibility at the applicable certification level.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.
Conversion from provisional to full licensure
BCaBA Certification Examination
Applicant
Hold the corresponding Missouri provisional license and obtain BACB certification at the applicable level.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Board Education Instruction
The Board assistant application instructions state: "All applicants for licensure must have completed a graduate level degree in Behavioral Analysis and the required field work per BACB certification requirements"; 20 CSR 2063-4.005 governs eligibility at the applicable certification level.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Conversion
Email proof of certification to the Board; its instructions state that conversion requires no additional application or fee.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.
Reactivation from inactive license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Hold the corresponding inactive Missouri license.
Application
Submit the Board application, reactivation fee, and proof of current certification from the approved certifying entity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Renewal of active license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the complete renewal application, required fee, and practice/demographic workforce information before expiration.
Certification
Maintain active certification and satisfy renewal and recertification requirements, including continuing education at the applicable BACB level.
Deadline
Renew by October 31 of odd-numbered years for behavior analysts or November 30 of odd-numbered years for assistant behavior analysts; failure to renew within the statutory sixty-day period ends authorization to practice.
Suicide Training
Attest to two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training each biennial cycle.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Restoration within two years after missed renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
License not renewed; request restoration within two years of the renewal date.
Application
Submit renewal application, renewal and delinquency fees, and current certification; supply proof of renewal and recertification compliance if requested under 20 CSR 2063-2.010(1)(D).
Practice
Do not practice while the license is lapsed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Licensure by statutory reciprocity
BCaBA Certification Examination
Applicant
Hold a valid current same-profession, same-level license for at least one year in another eligible jurisdiction and provide verification of that licensure and its minimum qualifying education, experience, and clinical supervision requirements.
Certification
Section 324.009 waives examinations, education, and experience; it does not expressly waive active certification required by section 337.315.
Eligibility
The license must remain current and in good standing; disqualifying criminal history, unresolved complaints, investigation, discipline, and compact-derived licenses are governed by section 324.009.4, .5, .10, and .11.
Fees And Fingerprints
Section 324.009 does not waive fees, bonds, insurance, or the authority to require fingerprints.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.
Waiver
Section 324.009.3(1) requires waiver of examination, education, and experience requirements when its equivalency conditions are met. Examinations identified in the ordinary credential requirements remain leaves; the applicant-specific waiver is a condition.

Temporary Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Temporary Missouri assistant behavior analyst license.

Licensing authority: Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board / State Committee of Psychologists · Application information

One ninety day temporary license extension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Hold the corresponding temporary license.
Continuing Conditions
Continue to meet the temporary license conditions; extension itself adds no examination requirement.
Request
Submit a written extension request; only one additional ninety-day extension is authorized.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Temporary licensure pending full license decision
BCaBA Certification Examination
Applicant
Hold valid licensure at the corresponding behavior-analysis level in another jurisdiction; provide a copy of that license and a complete application.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Background
Submit fingerprints and have no disqualifying criminal history on the Family Care Safety Registry.
Board Education Instruction
The Board assistant application instructions state: "All applicants for licensure must have completed a graduate level degree in Behavioral Analysis and the required field work per BACB certification requirements"; 20 CSR 2063-4.005 governs eligibility at the applicable certification level.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Duration
Temporary license ends on permanent-license issuance, application denial, or ninety days after issuance, whichever occurs first.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Supervision
Document direct supervision by a Missouri licensed behavior analyst, including the signed Proof of Supervision form and the requirements of 20 CSR 2063-5.005.

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Ordinary Missouri behavior analyst license.

Licensing authority: Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board / State Committee of Psychologists · Application information

Expedited military or law enforcement spouse reciprocity

All of the following:

Applicant
Meet section 324.009.2 and qualify as a resident or nonresident military or law enforcement spouse under the definitions in section 324.009.1.
Certification
Section 324.009 waives examinations, education, and experience; it does not expressly waive active certification required by section 337.315.
Eligibility
The license must remain current and in good standing; disqualifying criminal history, unresolved complaints, investigation, discipline, and compact-derived licenses are governed by section 324.009.4, .5, .10, and .11.
Fees And Fingerprints
Section 324.009 does not waive fees, bonds, insurance, or the authority to require fingerprints.
Waiver
Section 324.009.3(2) directs issuance within thirty days with waiver of examination, education, and experience requirements. All identified examinations are retained as leaves with this statutory waiver stated as an applicant condition.
Initial licensure by certification examination

All of the following:

Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Jurisprudence
The current rule requires the separately administered jurisprudence examination and at least 70% correct; the older application checklist does not list this new requirement.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Ordinary licensure with another jurisdiction license

All of the following:

Applicant
Applicant already licensed as a behavior analyst at the same practice level in another jurisdiction; ordinary requirements continue to apply unless a statutory reciprocity waiver applies.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Jurisprudence
The current rule requires the separately administered jurisprudence examination and at least 70% correct; the older application checklist does not list this new requirement.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Conversion from provisional to full licensure

All of the following:

Applicant
Hold the corresponding Missouri provisional license and obtain BACB certification at the applicable level.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Conversion
Email proof of certification to the Board; its instructions state that conversion requires no additional application or fee.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Jurisprudence
The current rule requires the separately administered jurisprudence examination and at least 70% correct; the older application checklist does not list this new requirement.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.
Reactivation from inactive license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Hold the corresponding inactive Missouri license.
Application
Submit the Board application, reactivation fee, and proof of current certification from the approved certifying entity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Renewal of active license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the complete renewal application, required fee, and practice/demographic workforce information before expiration.
Certification
Maintain active certification and satisfy renewal and recertification requirements, including continuing education at the applicable BACB level.
Deadline
Renew by October 31 of odd-numbered years for behavior analysts or November 30 of odd-numbered years for assistant behavior analysts; failure to renew within the statutory sixty-day period ends authorization to practice.
Suicide Training
Attest to two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training each biennial cycle.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Restoration within two years after missed renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
License not renewed; request restoration within two years of the renewal date.
Application
Submit renewal application, renewal and delinquency fees, and current certification; supply proof of renewal and recertification compliance if requested under 20 CSR 2063-2.010(1)(D).
Practice
Do not practice while the license is lapsed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Licensure by statutory reciprocity

All of the following:

Applicant
Hold a valid current same-profession, same-level license for at least one year in another eligible jurisdiction and provide verification of that licensure and its minimum qualifying education, experience, and clinical supervision requirements.
Certification
Section 324.009 waives examinations, education, and experience; it does not expressly waive active certification required by section 337.315.
Eligibility
The license must remain current and in good standing; disqualifying criminal history, unresolved complaints, investigation, discipline, and compact-derived licenses are governed by section 324.009.4, .5, .10, and .11.
Fees And Fingerprints
Section 324.009 does not waive fees, bonds, insurance, or the authority to require fingerprints.
State Law Exception
Section 324.009.3(1) permits the existing Missouri-law examination to remain required; 20 CSR 2063-2.005(2)(B) specifies that examination for behavior analyst license applicants.
Waiver
Section 324.009.3(1) requires waiver of examination, education, and experience requirements when its equivalency conditions are met. Examinations identified in the ordinary credential requirements remain leaves; the applicant-specific waiver is a condition.

Temporary Licensed Behavior Analyst

Temporary Missouri behavior analyst license.

Licensing authority: Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board / State Committee of Psychologists · Application information

One ninety day temporary license extension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Hold the corresponding temporary license.
Continuing Conditions
Continue to meet the temporary license conditions; extension itself adds no examination requirement.
Request
Submit a written extension request; only one additional ninety-day extension is authorized.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2018-08-28.

Temporary licensure pending full license decision

All of the following:

Applicant
Hold valid licensure at the corresponding behavior-analysis level in another jurisdiction; provide a copy of that license and a complete application.
Application
Submit a complete attested and signed Board application, photograph taken no more than six months before applying, required fees, and fingerprints for Missouri and FBI criminal-history checks.
Background
Submit fingerprints and have no disqualifying criminal history on the Family Care Safety Registry.
Certification
Hold active BACB certification at the applicable level and satisfy the education, training, and supervised-practicum eligibility requirements for that level under 20 CSR 2063-4.005.
Duration
Temporary license ends on permanent-license issuance, application denial, or ninety days after issuance, whichever occurs first.
Exam Timing
A passing certification examination remains an examination leaf even when passed before the Missouri application; active certification is separately required.
Fee
The ordinary application fee is $150; statutory fee waivers may apply to qualifying military families and low-income applicants under section 324.015.
Jurisprudence
The current rule requires the separately administered jurisprudence examination and at least 70% correct; the older application checklist does not list this new requirement.
Other License Verification
If licensed elsewhere, arrange direct verification from each issuing jurisdiction, including disciplinary history.
Suicide Training
Complete two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. The Board instructions apply this requirement to both levels.

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

Missouri Behavior Analyst Jurisprudence Examination

Provider
Missouri Behavior Analyst Advisory Board and State Committee of Psychologists
Passing score
At least 70% of total items correct
Exam fee
$75
Examination outline
  • RSMo Chapter 337 — Enumerated Behavior Analysis Provisions
  • RSMo Chapter 324 — Enumerated General Provisions
  • RSMo Chapter 376 — Section 376.1224
  • 20 CSR 2063-1 — General Rules
  • 20 CSR 2063-2 — Licensure Requirements
  • 20 CSR 2063-3 — Certifying Entities
  • 20 CSR 2063-4 — Education and Training Requirements
  • 20 CSR 2063-5 — Supervision
  • 20 CSR 2063-6 — Standards of Practice
Examination sources