What Is a BCBA-D, BCBA, or BCaBA?

Board Certified Behavior Analysts & Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, BCBA & BCaBA, are individuals who:

  • Belong to a professional association with defined ethics and requirements to continue their own education in the field of behavior analysis
  • Provide descriptive assessments and functional analysis and consultation in the development of teaching programs and behavior management programs in public or private settings
  • Have passed a national examination in applied behavior analysis reflecting a mastery of how to apply the principles of learning to changing human behavior
  • Have been supervised by a qualified BCBA for a required amount of time prior to taking the examination
  • Have completed required university courses and training in the techniques of ABA, Doctoral level for BCBA-D, Master’s level for BCBA, and Bachelor’s level for BCaBA
  • Usually have background in a helping profession such as psychology, speech/language or special education

Please refer to bacb.com for complete requirements for becoming BCBA-D, BCBA, or BCaBA. It is now required that the BCaBA practice under the supervision of a BCBA-D or BCBA.

Supervision Of BCBA & BCaBA Applicants At ABA Learning Centre

(Please refer to bacb.com for complete requirements for becoming BCBA or BCABA) For students who have begun their coursework required to meet the BACB coursework requirements, ABALC can provide the Supervised Independent Fieldwork.

The requirement for BCaBA includes:

  • 1000 hours of Supervised Independent Fieldwork
  • 10-30 hours per week for at least 3 months
  • Direct supervision for 50 hours distributed appropriately with at least 1 hour every 2 weeks

The requirement for BCBA includes:

  • 1500 hours of Supervised Independent Fieldwork 10-30 hours per week for at least 3 months

Direct supervision for 75 hours distributed appropriately across each 2 week period with direct contact at least 1 hour every 2 weeks. Individuals being supervised must work with multiple clients. Both the supervisor and the candidate must adhere to BCBA Guidelines for Responsible Conduct. The candidate must be observed engaging in behaviour analysis in natural settings. ABALC can provide supervision to candidates and will usually have families where candidates can be placed to acquire the necessary skills. If multiple candidates are being supervised, a portion of their supervision will involve meeting in small groups and sharing video with feedback and instruction. The group setting will provide opportunity to develop some skills desirable for candidates who choose to work with families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ABALC will require each candidate to develop a personal portfolio during the period of supervison. The portfolio will include written and video records covering the following topics:

  • Hands-on skills for applied behavior analysis using discrete trial teaching, natural environment teaching and other specific aba strategies
  • Overseeing the implementation of behavior analysis programs
  • Functional assessments related to the need for behavior intervention
  • Design, implementation, and monitoring of children’s programs
  • Chairing family/team planning meetings
  • Presenting workshops to develop skills of interventionists and parents
  • Review of literature related to a program
  • Other activities normally performed by a behavior analyst directly related to programming for children with ASD