The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.

BCBAs may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic interventions.

BCBA Handbook

The BCBA Handbook describes the requirements for obtaining and maintaining BCBA certification.



Overview of BCBA Requirements

Recent and Upcoming Changes

Recent and Upcoming Changes Timeline

For more information, please visit Recent and Upcoming Changes to BACB Requirements.



BCBA Handbook

The BCBA Handbook describes the requirements for obtaining and maintaining BCBA certification.



Overview of BCBA Requirements

BCBAs with doctoral or postdoctoral training in behavior analysis may apply for the designation of Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral® (BCBA-D®). 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).

If you are currently certified as a BCBA and wish to apply for the BCBA-Designation, you must complete the following application, provide all required supplemental documentation, and pay the application fee. Applications are accepted on a continual basis.

  • Enter your name as it appears in BACB records.

  • This is the 10-digit number starting with "BACB" located in your BACB Account.

  • Note: To apply for the doctoral designation, you must hold an active BCBA certification.

  • Documentation Requirements

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

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In this episode of Inside the BACB, join Dr. Melissa Nosik and Director of Certificant Services Dr. Molli Luke as they introduce the new BCBA and BCaBA Handbooks and 2022 Eligibility Requirements. Listen now to learn about the makeup of these resources, the 2022 requirements changes, and more.