How to Become a BCBA
If you want to help people live happier, healthier lives, consider becoming a behavioral analyst. Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) work closely with people with developmental disabilities to help them build the necessary goals and skills to lead more fulfilling lives. If you’re interested in mental health and creating tailored therapy plans one-on-one with your clients, you might love a career as a behavioral analyst.
Check out this guide to learn how to become a BCBA and obtain your certification. Explore what BCBAs do, how long it takes to become a BCBA, the process for getting board-certified and more.
Table of Contents
How Long Does it Take to Become a BCBA?
How to Receive a BCBA Certification
What Is a BCBA?
BCBAs are board-certified, meaning they have at least a graduate-level degree in a field related to behavior analysis, and they have passed a rigorous exam to become highly-trained professionals. The certification is given to BCBAs by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BCBAs have either a Master’s or Doctoral degree and can oversee the supervision provided by a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst once they are board-certified.
What Do BCBAs Do?
A behavior analyst uses Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to build and administer goals for clients. Using ABA to assess the relationship between behavior and environment, BCBAs help clients improve skills, meet goals, create new behaviors and more. BCBAs study behavior in children and adults, often focusing on helping people with developmental disabilities, social issues, emotional issues or traumatic brain injuries. While ABA applies to many situations, it’s commonly used in therapy for children with autism. BCBAs use goals and strategies that help each person develop essential skills for a better future.
The day-to-day schedule of a behavioral analyst involves creating and modifying individualized programs, educating caregivers and behavior technicians, and helping clients build essential skills. ABA plans constructed by BCBAs are tailored to meet the needs and goals of each individual. Since everyone has different experiences and responses, BCBAs create specialized treatment plans with the input of their clients and clients’ caregivers to ensure their clients receive the best services possible.
How Long Does It Take to Become a BCBA?
It takes roughly six to eight years to become a BCBA, although this can be slightly different for everyone. Typically, it takes four years to complete an undergraduate degree and two years to receive a graduate degree. Additionally, you’ll need to complete 1,500 to 2,000 hours of fieldwork, which often takes at least a year.
The exact amount of time it takes to become a BCBA depends on your course of study, the level of education you’re working towards and your pace. Since a BCBA certification is a graduate-level degree, you’ll need to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees to obtain the certification. While this education can take different lengths of time for everyone, if you’re asking “How long does it take to become a BCBA?” the best estimate would be between six and eight years.
How to Get a BCBA Certification
To receive a BCBA certification and become a behavior analyst, you must show the BACB that you have expert knowledge of developmental disabilities and a proficient understanding of ABA techniques and applications. The process is rigorous but incredibly rewarding — completing your BCBA certification allows you to assist children and families in building fundamental skills for success in life.
BCBA Requirements for Certification
Once you have your undergraduate degree, preferably in a field related to behavioral analysis, you’ll need to begin meeting the BCBA certification requirements to become a behavioral analyst. Once these requirements are met, you can receive certification and start working as a professional BCBA.
According to the BACB, there are four potential pathways you can take before applying for the exam. The most common Pathway — Pathway 1 — is discussed in detail below. However, there are alternate Pathways you can take to earn the certification. Having three years of full-time experience in behavioral analysis teaching and research, or 10 years of postdoctoral work in behavioral analysis, can also put you on track to obtain a BCBA certification. All of these paths to becoming a BCBA are valid and will put you on track to a rewarding, fulfilling career.
Step 1: Earn a Relevant Graduate Degree
The first step toward earning your BCBA certification is to obtain a Master’s degree in a relevant field. This means getting a degree in areas like psychology, education or behavioral analysis from an accredited university. You can find accredited universities online using the Council for Higher Education Accreditation directory. You can also use the Applied Behavioral Analysis International Accreditation Board website to explore their list of accepted universities.
Step 2: Submit Completion of Relevant Coursework
If you’re attending an accredited university and obtaining a relevant degree, you’ll likely also complete the relevant coursework. To apply for the BCBA exam, you need to complete at least 270 hours of required coursework. Once you’ve obtained your degree and completed the coursework, you’ll need to submit your coursework completion to show you’ve finished these steps.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Fieldwork Requirements
Along with your graduate coursework, you’ll complete supervised fieldwork. Fieldwork will relate to ABA and must be supervised by someone who meets the BACB’s supervisor requirements. Once you have a supervisor and a plan for your fieldwork, you can begin. The number of required fieldwork hours will depend on the type of fieldwork you’re completing. The two types of fieldwork you can choose from are:
- Supervised fieldwork: This requires 2,000 hours of fieldwork, with 5% of your hours supervised per supervisory period.
- Concentrated supervised fieldwork: This requires 1,500 hours of fieldwork, with 10% of your hours supervised per supervisory period.
Step 4: Take and Pass the BCBA Exam
Once you’ve completed your graduate education and fieldwork requirements, you will have met the primary requirements to be a BCBA and can apply for the board exam. After studying hard and paying the exam fee, it’s time to take the test.
The BCBA exam consists of 160 questions relating to experimental design, behavior-change procedures and basic behavior analytic skills. You’ll get four hours to complete the test. Once you finish the exam, you’ll receive your results immediately. If you pass, you are now board-certified. If you don’t pass the exam on the first try, you get seven more retakes within two years of exam authorization.
While this is a summary of how to get your BCBA certification, and each step may look slightly different for all those who apply, this overall framework tends to be the case for all those who end up receiving their BCBA certification.
How to Maintain Your BCBA Certification
After passing the exam and becoming board-certified, you’ll have to maintain your certification. To continue practicing as a certified BCBA, you’ll have to recertify every two years. The requirements you need to meet for maintaining your certification are:
- Following BACB ethics requirements
- Completing BACB continuing education requirements
- Submitting your recertification application before your certification expires
You can record your recertification progress on the BACB website to make the process smoother. Make sure to finalize all your maintenance requirements before the 15th of the month they’re due.
Join Our Team of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts Today
If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping families and loved ones with autism, consider joining Autism Learning Collaborative. Our team is comprised of board-certified behavior analysts dedicated to providing expert, specialized ABA therapy for the families we work with.
Interested in joining our team? Now that you know how to become a BCBA, once you complete the requirements and want to apply your skills to help those with ASD, apply with us online, or learn more about our open positions by browsing our career page today!
Frequently Asked Questions About BCBAs
What are the primary requirements to be a BCBA?
To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, you must meet several academic and professional standards set by the BACB. The core requirements to be a BCBA include:
- A graduate-level degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in behavior analysis, psychology, or education.
- Completion of specific ABA coursework (approximately 270–315 classroom hours).
- Supervised fieldwork hours (1,500 to 2,000 hours, depending on the intensity of supervision).
- Passing the BCBA certification exam.
How do I become a BCBA if I am already an RBT?
Many professionals start as Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to gain experience. To move up, you must enroll in a qualifying graduate program while continuing to accrue supervised hours. The benefit of this path is that you are often already working in the environments where hours are earned, such as in clinical or in-home services.
How long does it take to complete the requirements to be a BCBA?
On average, the journey takes six to eight years. This timeline accounts for four years of undergraduate study, two years for a Master’s degree, and roughly one to two years to finish the supervised fieldwork hours necessary to sit for the exam.
Can I work in schools once I know how to become a BCBA?
Yes! BCBAs are in high demand within the education system. Many choose to specialize in school-based services, where they collaborate with teachers and speech pathologists to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Others prefer the flexibility and family-centric focus of in-home services, which allow for training parents in the child’s natural environment.
What is the difference between supervised and concentrated fieldwork?
When researching how to become a BCBA, you’ll notice two fieldwork options. Standard “Supervised Fieldwork” requires 2,000 hours with 5% supervision, while “Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork” requires only 1,500 hours but requires 10% supervision. Both are valid pathways to certification.