Applied Behavior Analysis (MS)
There are two credentials that professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis can earn: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 4 and also meets the current educational requirements for the New York State LBA.
Types of Certification
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Behavior Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a certification provided by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. In the field of applied behavior analysis, the BCBA is considered the necessary certification to practice ABA. The BCBA credential is broad and does not limit one to working with any particular population or in any particular site. The BCBA is a nationally recognized certification and many employers in New York and in other states prefer to hire individuals who possess the BCBA credential.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for Task List 4.
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA)
New York State Licensure as a behavior analyst (LBA) is required by New York state to practice ABA with individuals with autism and related disorders outside of exempt settings in the state of New York. Most public schools (elementary, high school, colleges) are exempt settings if one is a salaried employee. This means that one does not need to have a license to practice ABA in these settings, but having a license is still preferred. Please note that the practice of ABA in New York State is limited to applications with individuals with autism and related disorders.
The curriculum of the Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program meets the current educational requirements for the New York State LBA.
Applying to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
1. Complete a Behavior Analyst Certification Board application
Visit www.bcba.com to complete the application.
2. Order Official Transcripts
Visit One Stop to request transcripts.
3. Submit Monthly and Final Signed Experience Verification Forms
BCBA currently requires 1500 hours of experience doing relevant ABA work and has rules about the percentages of experience that can be direct implementation vs. indirect implementation and the percentages of supervision that can be done in a group vs. individually. BACB allows one to begin accruing hours once s/he has begun BACB-approved coursework. That experience must be supervised by a BCBA who has completed the supervisor training and the supervisor does not need to be affiliated with the location where the experience takes place.
Applying to become a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst
1. Complete New York State Education Department (NYSED) application forms
Visit New York State Education Department (NYSED) to access application forms.
2. Complete Form 1
3. Complete page 1 of Form 2
4. Submit completed forms to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
Upload completed Form 1 and the first page of Form 2 using the Out of State Certification or Licensure form.
5. Request a Copy of Your Official Transcript
Request a copy of your official transcripts be mailed to Hunter College School of Education, 695 Park Ave., Room 1000West, New York, NY 10065 Attn: Melissa Boronkas through One Stop.
6. Complete Form 3
Complete Form 3 with each of your LBA supervisors. Please note that only hours accrued via NYS compliant coursework count for these hours.