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A series of books focused on behavior analysis.

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BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

What is BCBA Certification?

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. BCBAs are independent practitioners who can provide behavior-analytic services and supervise the work of RBTs, BCaBAs, and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic interventions. Interested in the BACB’s BCBA-Doctoral® (BCBA-D®) designation? Learn more in the Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral section.

Video: What is a BCBA

How to Obtain and Maintain BCBA Certification

Start With the BCBA Handbook

Updated September 27, 2024

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1: Read the Handbook

2: Meet eligibility requirements

3: Apply through your BACB account

4: Take and pass the exam through Pearson VUE

5: Maintain and renew

To get started, review the BCBA Handbook and watch these videos. Other important stops in your journey will include the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and the Recent and Upcoming Changes to BACB Requirements web page. If you have questions, please use the Contact Us Form.

Video: Becoming a BCBA

Video: Maintaining BCBA Certification

Two women with a checklist discussing BACB supervision.

Interested in supervising and training RBTs or BCaBAs? You can learn more about the roles and requirements on the Supervision, Assessment, Training, and Oversight web page.

Resources for BCBAs

View by topic: Fieldwork | Applying | Examination | Ethics | Continuing Education | Supervising and Training | Inactive Status | All Resources

Showing 12 Applying Resources out of 53 Total BCBA Resources

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Overview of BCBA Requirements

Resource 1

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Verified Course Sequence Program

Resource 2

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ABAI VCS Accredited Programs

Resource 3

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BCBA Application Self-Assessment Tool

Resource 4

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VCS Coordinator Coursework Attestation FAQ

Resource 5

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Examination Pass Rates for VCSs

Resource 6

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Qualify for Examination via Past Certification

Resource 7

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Application Processing Updates

Resource 8

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The Life Cycle of BCBA/BCaBA Application

Resource 9

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Nonverified Course Content Attestation

Resource 10

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Preliminary Coursework Evaluation

Resource 11

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2022 VCS Coordinator Coursework Attestation

Resource 12

Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral ▼

BCBAs with doctoral or postdoctoral training in behavior analysis may apply for the designation of Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral. The BCBA-D designation is not a separate certification and does not grant any privileges beyond BCBA certification. If you hold the BCBA-D designation, you may function in the same capacity as a BCBA (i.e., as an independent practitioner who provides behavior-analytic services) and must meet all BCBA maintenance requirements as defined in the BCBA Handbook.

Information that pertains to BCBAs also pertains to BCBA-Ds (e.g., supervision qualifications, requirements).

BCBA-D Designation Application

If you are currently certified as a BCBA and wish to apply for the BCBA-D designation, you must complete the following application, provide all required supplemental documentation, and pay the application fee. Incomplete applications expire 90 days after payment.

Name*
First Last
Enter your name as it appears in BACB records.
Email*
BACB Account Number*

This is the 10-digit number starting with "BACB" located in your BACB Account.
BCBA Certification Number*

Note: To apply for the doctoral designation, you must hold an active BCBA certification.
Documentation Requirements
Eligibility Requirements Review
- I have read and understand the BCBA-D eligibility requirements as stated in the BCBA Handbook.
Under which eligibility option are you applying?*
- Option A: Accredited Doctoral Program
- Option B: Non-Accredited Doctoral Program
- Option C: Postdoctoral Respecialization
My doctoral degree was conferred by an ABAI-accredited behavior-analytic doctoral program that is listed under ABAI’s Accredited Doctoral Programs.*
- Yes
- No
I have completed a doctoral degree at a qualifying institution.*
- Yes
- No
I have completed a doctoral degree at a qualifying institution.*
- Yes
- No
To apply under Option A, you must have completed an ABAI-accredited doctoral program. If you are unsure if your degree program was accredited, please review the list of Accredited Doctoral Programs on the ABAI Website.
To complete your application, submit your official, unopened university transcript listing a doctoral degree conferred by an ABAI-accredited doctoral program to the BACB. Documents may be submitted electronically directly from the institution or mailed to: BACB - Doctoral Designation, 7950 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127.
To apply under Option B, you must have completed a doctoral program from a qualifying accredited institution.
To apply under Option C, you must have completed a doctoral program from a qualifying accredited institution.
As part of completing your application, submit your official, unopened university transcript listing a doctoral degree conferred by an ABAI-accredited doctoral program to the BACB. Documents may be submitted electronically directly from the institution or mailed to: BACB - Doctoral Designation, 7950 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127.
As part of completing your application, submit your official, unopened university transcript listing a doctoral degree conferred by an ABAI-accredited doctoral program to the BACB. Documents may be submitted electronically directly from the institution or mailed to: BACB - Doctoral Designation, 7950 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127.
University or institution providing the official transcript:*
Dissertation Requirements*
- Yes, my dissertation meets the dissertation requirement.
Please select the sub-option under which you are applying:*
- Doctoral Coursework
- Advising
- Publications
Doctoral Coursework*
- Yes, I have completed four behavior-analytic courses as part of my doctoral program of study.
Advising*
- Yes, my adviser of record holds a BCBA credential; they met the supervision criteria in place at the time of the relationship; and they served as my formal supervisor during my doctoral program.
Publications*
- Yes, I have published two peer-reviewed journal articles that are behavior-analytic in nature prior to, during, or after conferral of the doctoral degree.
Postdoctoral Experience*
- Yes, I have completed 1,800 hours of postdoctoral experience or fellowship. I have confirmed that my supervisor holds the BCBA credential and met any supervision requirements in place at the time.
Publications*
- Yes, I have published two peer-reviewed journal articles that are behavior-analytic in nature as a product of the post-doctoral training or work experience.
Option B Files*
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 7 MB, Max. files: 6.
Please upload the following files (you can submit more than one) as part of your application:
- A copy of the published dissertation abstract showing that it meets the behavior-analytic dissertation requirement
- A copy of the official, doctoral program of study showing all of the courses
- The syllabi for the courses to demonstrate that they were entirely behavior-analytic in nature
Please note, the maximum file size is 7MB.
Please upload the following files (you can submit more than one) as part of your application:
- A copy of the published dissertation abstract showing that it meets the behavior-analytic dissertation requirement
- A letter from the faculty member who held the BCBA credential, on university letterhead, attesting to the formal supervisory relationship
Please note, the maximum file size is 7MB.
Please upload the following files (you can submit more than one) as part of your application:
- A copy of the published dissertation abstract showing that it meets the behavior-analytic dissertation requirement
- Copies of the 2 peer-reviewed journal articles that are behavior analytic in nature
Please note, the maximum file size is 7MB.
Option C Files*
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 7 MB, Max. files: 3.
Please upload the following files (you can submit more than one) as part of your application:
- A letter of attestation from the BCBA who supervised the 1,800 hours of postdoctoral experience or fellowship. Please note that the 1,800 hours is in addition to the 1,500 hours of experience that may have been accumulated to sit for the BCBA exam.
- Copies of the 2 peer-reviewed journal articles that are behavior analytic in nature.
Please note, the maximum file size is 7MB.
Payment
Doctoral designation applications typically take 14 days to process once a complete application, including payment, is received.
I will pay my $105 application processing fee via:*
- credit card
- check
Once the BACB receives your application, we will send email confirmation that a $105 fee has been assessed and added to your BACB account. The review process will not begin until the fee is paid.
Please mail your check along with your application confirmation page to:
BACB - Doctoral Designation
7950 Shaffer Parkway
Littleton, CO 80127
Attestation
By submitting this application, you acknowledge and affirm that you have carefully read and understand the requirements for the doctoral designation. You agree to comply with the terms and conditions stated in your original BCBA application and any other applications previously submitted to the BACB.*
- I agree
Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
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