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Rhode Island Behavior Analyst — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Assistant Applied Behavior Analyst

Rhode Island Chapter 86 licensed identity.

Licensing authority: Rhode Island Department of Health, Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Board · Application information

Licensure by equivalent credentials from another jurisdiction
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit the completed RIDOH application and fee. The application is valid for one year after receipt; a new application is required if not licensed within that year.
Background check
Submit an original Rhode Island Attorney General BCI obtained within the previous six months of application.
Certification
Maintain active status and fulfill relevant renewal and relicensing requirements with the nationally recognized accredited organization approved by RIDOH; the current implementing rule specifically requires BACB certification.
Character
Be of good moral character.
Coursework
Successfully complete Board-acceptable applied behavior analysis coursework; § 28.5.2(A)(1) implements this as coursework consistent with BACB requirements.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions or pending charges and professional discipline or denials; supply complete details when an affirmative answer is given.
Education
Obtain a Board-approved bachelor’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university approved by the appropriate certifying authority.
Equivalence determination
The Board must determine that the other jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially equivalent to Chapter 86 and Part 28. § 5-86-10 and § 28.7.1(A)(2) do not expressly excuse the currently named examination required for the corresponding credential; an existing passing examination is retained as a leaf under this contract.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding license in another jurisdiction and nationally recognized accredited certification approved by RIDOH.
Foreign or other jurisdiction assessments
Any examination of another country or another jurisdiction involved in obtaining the prior license is prior qualification evidence, not a leaf of this Rhode Island route.
Military expedition
The October 24, 2024 application offers expedited processing to active duty members, reservists, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans, with the requested documentation. Expedition alone does not change the underlying examination requirement.
Other approved organizations
§ 5-86-9(b)(6)-(7) permits a nationally recognized accrediting organization approved for this function; no other examination is identified by name in the obtained implementation. Any additional Board approval is an applicant condition.
Other licenses
Verification of every jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has held a license must be sent directly to RIDOH; the applicant must be in good standing.
Professional conduct
Follow Board-required standards for responsible professional conduct and pay the fee under § 5-86-11.
Scope of practice
Practice is limited to demonstrated competence under § 5-86-12. Statutory exemptions in § 5-86-21 are permissions to practice within their stated limits, not additional issued licenses.
Supervised experience
§ 5-86-9(b)(4) specifies 1,000 hours of supervised independent fieldwork (10–30 hours per week for at least three weeks per month), 670 hours of approved university practicum, or 500 hours of approved intensive practicum (the latter two at 10–25 hours per week for at least three weeks per month). § 28.5.2(A)(2)(a) also accepts BACB-required supervised experience acceptable to the Board.
Supervision
Practice under a licensed applied behavior analyst as required by § 5-86-26, including initial in-person direction and periodic on-site supervision.
Tax attestation
The application requires an attestation that all applicable Rhode Island tax returns have been filed and taxes paid.
Reinstatement from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Notify RIDOH, submit an application, and remit the renewal fee.
Continuing education
Attest to completion of continuing education under § 28.8.3 within the two years immediately preceding the request. The rule’s § 28.9.2 includes psychologists with equivalent experience, while § 5-86-13(d) supplies the continuing education requirement for that identity.
Existing license
Previously transferred the corresponding license to the inactive list and now wishes to resume practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Transfer to inactive list
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding Chapter 86 license and do not intend to continue active licensure.
Fees
No renewal fee is required while inactive.
Request
Request transfer to the inactive list in writing to RIDOH.
Status
Inactive status is not an authorization to continue active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by BACB certification
BCaBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit the completed RIDOH application and fee. The application is valid for one year after receipt; a new application is required if not licensed within that year.
Background check
Submit an original Rhode Island Attorney General BCI obtained within the previous six months of application.
Certification
Maintain active status and fulfill relevant renewal and relicensing requirements with the nationally recognized accredited organization approved by RIDOH; the current implementing rule specifically requires BACB certification.
Character
Be of good moral character.
Coursework
Successfully complete Board-acceptable applied behavior analysis coursework; § 28.5.2(A)(1) implements this as coursework consistent with BACB requirements.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions or pending charges and professional discipline or denials; supply complete details when an affirmative answer is given.
Education
Obtain a Board-approved bachelor’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university approved by the appropriate certifying authority.
Military expedition
The October 24, 2024 application offers expedited processing to active duty members, reservists, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans, with the requested documentation. Expedition alone does not change the underlying examination requirement.
Other approved organizations
§ 5-86-9(b)(6)-(7) permits a nationally recognized accrediting organization approved for this function; no other examination is identified by name in the obtained implementation. Any additional Board approval is an applicant condition.
Other licenses
Verification of every jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has held a license must be sent directly to RIDOH; the applicant must be in good standing.
Professional conduct
Follow Board-required standards for responsible professional conduct and pay the fee under § 5-86-11.
Scope of practice
Practice is limited to demonstrated competence under § 5-86-12. Statutory exemptions in § 5-86-21 are permissions to practice within their stated limits, not additional issued licenses.
Supervised experience
§ 5-86-9(b)(4) specifies 1,000 hours of supervised independent fieldwork (10–30 hours per week for at least three weeks per month), 670 hours of approved university practicum, or 500 hours of approved intensive practicum (the latter two at 10–25 hours per week for at least three weeks per month). § 28.5.2(A)(2)(a) also accepts BACB-required supervised experience acceptable to the Board.
Supervision
Practice under a licensed applied behavior analyst as required by § 5-86-26, including initial in-person direction and periodic on-site supervision.
Tax attestation
The application requires an attestation that all applicable Rhode Island tax returns have been filed and taxes paid.
Reinstatement of license lapsed for more than one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a reinstatement application.
Background check
Submit a new BCI.
Continuing education
§ 28.8.4(B) requires evidence of compliance with BACB continuing education unit requirements to maintain certification; § 5-86-13(d) separately describes the continuing education requirement for all three licensed identities.
Existing license
Previously held the corresponding Chapter 86 license, which has lapsed for more than one year.
Fees
Pay the renewal fee plus the late fee.
Practice restriction
Do not practice under a lapsed license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of lapsed license of one year or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Present satisfactory evidence of BACB continuing education sufficient to maintain certification, under § 28.8.3.
Existing license
Previously held the corresponding Chapter 86 license, which has lapsed for no more than one year.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee plus the additional late fee under § 5-86-13(e) and § 28.8.4(A).
Practice restriction
Do not practice under a lapsed license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military member or spouse license recognition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application checklist
The lower-ranked October 24, 2024 RIDOH checklist still states: "Proof of Behavior Analyst Certification from BACB (Behavioral Analyst Certification Board)" and provides an RI-psychologist checklist. Those implementation demands are displayed as conditions; § 5-88-1 governs this distinct recognition pathway.
Criminal history
Have no disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board under § 5-88-2(2), which refers to § 28-5.1-14.
Discipline
Have no prior occupational license revocation or surrender because of negligence or intentional misconduct.
Documentation
Submit proof of military status, transfer orders, good standing and the RIDOH-requested BCI and attestations.
Equivalence
For full recognition, the Board must find the other jurisdiction’s certification or licensure requirements substantially equivalent to Rhode Island requirements.
Examination treatment
§ 5-88-1 applies notwithstanding any other law and defines recognition using the existing license and equivalence determination. It identifies no currently offered examination as an issuance requirement; assessments for the prior license are applicant qualification evidence.
Existing license
Hold certification or licensure for the corresponding professional services in another jurisdiction for at least one year.
Fees
Pay all applicable Rhode Island fees.
Good standing
Be in good standing in the licensing jurisdiction.
License effect
The license is valid only in Rhode Island and does not itself create eligibility under an interstate compact or reciprocity agreement.
Military status
Be a U.S. armed forces member or the spouse of one.
Pending matters
Have no pending out-of-jurisdiction board complaint, allegation or investigation relating to unprofessional conduct or an alleged crime.
Spouse employment
A spouse must have left employment to accompany the military member to Rhode Island.
Training credit
The Board considers substantially equivalent military education, training and experience, or a spouse’s education, training and experience used to obtain the prior license, under § 5-88-6.
Transfer orders
Be subject to, or in the process of, a military transfer to a Rhode Island duty station; for a spouse, the military member must be subject to that transfer.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an executed renewal application and pay the renewal fee by June 1 of each even-numbered year. The renewal cycle begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the next even-numbered year.
Continuing education
Present satisfactory evidence of BACB continuing education sufficient to maintain certification, under § 28.8.3.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding Chapter 86 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst

Rhode Island Chapter 86 licensed identity.

Licensing authority: Rhode Island Department of Health, Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Board · Application information

Licensure by equivalent credentials from another jurisdiction
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit the completed RIDOH application and fee. The application is valid for one year after receipt; a new application is required if not licensed within that year.
Background check
Submit an original Rhode Island Attorney General BCI obtained within the previous six months of application.
Certification
Maintain active BACB status and fulfill relevant BACB renewal and relicensing requirements.
Character
Be of good moral character.
Coursework
Successfully complete Board-acceptable applied behavior analysis coursework; § 28.5.1(A)(1) implements this as coursework consistent with BACB requirements.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions or pending charges and professional discipline or denials; supply complete details when an affirmative answer is given.
Education
Obtain a Board-approved graduate degree in applied behavior analysis or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university approved by the appropriate certifying authority.
Equivalence determination
The Board must determine that the other jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially equivalent to Chapter 86 and Part 28. § 5-86-10 and § 28.7.1(A)(2) do not expressly excuse the currently named examination required for the corresponding credential; an existing passing examination is retained as a leaf under this contract.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding license in another jurisdiction and nationally recognized accredited certification approved by RIDOH.
Foreign or other jurisdiction assessments
Any examination of another country or another jurisdiction involved in obtaining the prior license is prior qualification evidence, not a leaf of this Rhode Island route.
Military expedition
The October 24, 2024 application offers expedited processing to active duty members, reservists, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans, with the requested documentation. Expedition alone does not change the underlying examination requirement.
Other licenses
Verification of every jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has held a license must be sent directly to RIDOH; the applicant must be in good standing.
Professional conduct
Conduct professional activities in accordance with BACB ethical guidelines and standards and comply with § 5-86-12.
Scope of practice
Practice is limited to demonstrated competence under § 5-86-12. Statutory exemptions in § 5-86-21 are permissions to practice within their stated limits, not additional issued licenses.
Supervised experience
§ 5-86-9(a)(4) specifies one year including 1,500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork (10–30 hours per week for at least three weeks per month), 1,000 hours of approved university practicum, or 750 hours of approved intensive practicum (the latter two at 10–25 hours per week for at least three weeks per month). § 28.5.1(A)(2)(a) also accepts BACB-required supervised experience acceptable to the Board.
Tax attestation
The application requires an attestation that all applicable Rhode Island tax returns have been filed and taxes paid.
Reinstatement from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Notify RIDOH, submit an application, and remit the renewal fee.
Continuing education
Attest to completion of continuing education under § 28.8.3 within the two years immediately preceding the request. The rule’s § 28.9.2 includes psychologists with equivalent experience, while § 5-86-13(d) supplies the continuing education requirement for that identity.
Existing license
Previously transferred the corresponding license to the inactive list and now wishes to resume practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Transfer to inactive list
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding Chapter 86 license and do not intend to continue active licensure.
Fees
No renewal fee is required while inactive.
Request
Request transfer to the inactive list in writing to RIDOH.
Status
Inactive status is not an authorization to continue active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by BACB certification
BCBA Certification Examination
Application
Submit the completed RIDOH application and fee. The application is valid for one year after receipt; a new application is required if not licensed within that year.
Background check
Submit an original Rhode Island Attorney General BCI obtained within the previous six months of application.
Certification
Maintain active BACB status and fulfill relevant BACB renewal and relicensing requirements.
Character
Be of good moral character.
Coursework
Successfully complete Board-acceptable applied behavior analysis coursework; § 28.5.1(A)(1) implements this as coursework consistent with BACB requirements.
Disclosures
Disclose criminal convictions or pending charges and professional discipline or denials; supply complete details when an affirmative answer is given.
Education
Obtain a Board-approved graduate degree in applied behavior analysis or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university approved by the appropriate certifying authority.
Military expedition
The October 24, 2024 application offers expedited processing to active duty members, reservists, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans, with the requested documentation. Expedition alone does not change the underlying examination requirement.
Other licenses
Verification of every jurisdiction in which the applicant holds or has held a license must be sent directly to RIDOH; the applicant must be in good standing.
Professional conduct
Conduct professional activities in accordance with BACB ethical guidelines and standards and comply with § 5-86-12.
Scope of practice
Practice is limited to demonstrated competence under § 5-86-12. Statutory exemptions in § 5-86-21 are permissions to practice within their stated limits, not additional issued licenses.
Supervised experience
§ 5-86-9(a)(4) specifies one year including 1,500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork (10–30 hours per week for at least three weeks per month), 1,000 hours of approved university practicum, or 750 hours of approved intensive practicum (the latter two at 10–25 hours per week for at least three weeks per month). § 28.5.1(A)(2)(a) also accepts BACB-required supervised experience acceptable to the Board.
Tax attestation
The application requires an attestation that all applicable Rhode Island tax returns have been filed and taxes paid.
Reinstatement of license lapsed for more than one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a reinstatement application.
Background check
Submit a new BCI.
Continuing education
§ 28.8.4(B) requires evidence of compliance with BACB continuing education unit requirements to maintain certification; § 5-86-13(d) separately describes the continuing education requirement for all three licensed identities.
Existing license
Previously held the corresponding Chapter 86 license, which has lapsed for more than one year.
Fees
Pay the renewal fee plus the late fee.
Practice restriction
Do not practice under a lapsed license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of lapsed license of one year or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Present satisfactory evidence of BACB continuing education sufficient to maintain certification, under § 28.8.3.
Existing license
Previously held the corresponding Chapter 86 license, which has lapsed for no more than one year.
Fees
Pay the current renewal fee plus the additional late fee under § 5-86-13(e) and § 28.8.4(A).
Practice restriction
Do not practice under a lapsed license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military member or spouse license recognition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application checklist
The lower-ranked October 24, 2024 RIDOH checklist still states: "Proof of Behavior Analyst Certification from BACB (Behavioral Analyst Certification Board)" and provides an RI-psychologist checklist. Those implementation demands are displayed as conditions; § 5-88-1 governs this distinct recognition pathway.
Criminal history
Have no disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board under § 5-88-2(2), which refers to § 28-5.1-14.
Discipline
Have no prior occupational license revocation or surrender because of negligence or intentional misconduct.
Documentation
Submit proof of military status, transfer orders, good standing and the RIDOH-requested BCI and attestations.
Equivalence
For full recognition, the Board must find the other jurisdiction’s certification or licensure requirements substantially equivalent to Rhode Island requirements.
Examination treatment
§ 5-88-1 applies notwithstanding any other law and defines recognition using the existing license and equivalence determination. It identifies no currently offered examination as an issuance requirement; assessments for the prior license are applicant qualification evidence.
Existing license
Hold certification or licensure for the corresponding professional services in another jurisdiction for at least one year.
Fees
Pay all applicable Rhode Island fees.
Good standing
Be in good standing in the licensing jurisdiction.
License effect
The license is valid only in Rhode Island and does not itself create eligibility under an interstate compact or reciprocity agreement.
Military status
Be a U.S. armed forces member or the spouse of one.
Pending matters
Have no pending out-of-jurisdiction board complaint, allegation or investigation relating to unprofessional conduct or an alleged crime.
Spouse employment
A spouse must have left employment to accompany the military member to Rhode Island.
Training credit
The Board considers substantially equivalent military education, training and experience, or a spouse’s education, training and experience used to obtain the prior license, under § 5-88-6.
Transfer orders
Be subject to, or in the process of, a military transfer to a Rhode Island duty station; for a spouse, the military member must be subject to that transfer.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File an executed renewal application and pay the renewal fee by June 1 of each even-numbered year. The renewal cycle begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the next even-numbered year.
Continuing education
Present satisfactory evidence of BACB continuing education sufficient to maintain certification, under § 28.8.3.
Existing license
Hold the corresponding Chapter 86 license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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