Board Certified Behavior Analyst Doctoral (BCBA-D)*
a) Doctoral degree, conferred at least ten (10) years prior to applying with a specialty of behavior analysis, psychology, education, or another related field and
b) A minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral experience in behavior analysis and
c) Certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D) by the Behavior
Analyst Certification Board.
d) State Licensed to practice at the highest level of independent practice in the state where the practice is to occur (if applicable).
e) Possess professional liability coverage at a minimum level of $1,000,000 per episode and $1,000,000 aggregate except where state or client requirements are more stringent.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)*
a) Master’s degree or higher from a graduate school with a specialty in behavior analysis, psychology, special education, or related field and
b) A minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate level course work in behavioral analysis; courses must focus on the application of behavior analysis, rather than more generic topics in the discipline for which the graduate degree was awarded. The courses should address the following issues in applied behavior analysis; family dynamics, ethical considerations, definition and characteristics, principles, processes, and concepts; behavioral assessment and the selection of intervention strategies and outcomes; experimental evaluation of interventions; measurement of behavior and displaying/ interpreting behavioral data; behavioral change procedures and systems support (Adapted from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) and
c) A minimum of six months of full-time supervised employment (or internship/Practicum in behavior analysis under the supervision of behavior analysis).
d) Certified as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
e) State Licensed to practice at the highest level of independent practice in the state where the practice is to occur (if applicable).
f) All provider applicants must have a minimum of one (1) year post certification experience providing direct patient Care.
g) Possess professional liability coverage at a minimum level of $1,000,000 per episode and $1,000,000 aggregate except where state or client requirements are more stringent.
Board Certified Assistant/Associate Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)*
a) Bachelor’s degree or higher with coursework in behavior analysis, including ethical considerations, definition, and characteristics, principles, processes, and concepts; behavioral assessment and the selection of intervention strategies and outcomes; experimental evaluation of interventions; measurement of behavior and displaying/interpreting behavioral data; behavioral change procedures and systems support. (Adapted from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
b) A minimum of 1000 hours of Supervised Independent Fieldwork in behavior analysis conducting assessment activities related to the need for behavioral interventions, Designing, implementing, and monitoring behavior analysis programs for clients, and Overseeing the implementation of behavior analysis programs by others. (Adapted from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
c) Certified as an Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
d) May only provide patient care services under the direction and supervision of a Master’s level Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Must report the name of their BCBA supervisor(s) and provide documentation of that supervision as requested.
e) All provider applicants must have a minimum of one (1) year post-certification experience providing direct patient care.
f) Possess professional liability coverage at a minimum level of $1,000,000 per episode and $1,000,000 aggregate except where state or client requirements are more stringent.
*(Applies Only to States/Client Accounts where required by regulation or benefit plan)
Facility/Organizational Criteria for Applied Behavior Analysis
NOTE: Services will be provided at an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic level of intensity.
1. Must receive oversight from a licensed behavioral health or BACB certified professional.
2. All non-licensed / non-BACB certified staff must have direct clinical supervision by qualified licensed staff with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) specialty or BACB certification in accordance with BACB recommended clinically appropriate supervision (i.e., a minimum of 1.5 hours for every 10 hours of direct service).
3. BCaBA® staff must be supervised by BCBA® or BCBA-D® supervisors in accordance with BACB requirements.
4. All non-licensed staff (paraprofessionals/tutors/therapists) must have completed criminal background checks, drug screening (including random testing), and confirmation of required ABA-specific training.
5. Must follow pre-certification and utilization review requirements for ABA services.
6. All billing must be under the clinic’s name and tax identification number, including the use of modifiers to designate providers of specific units of service.
Note: In addition to meeting the above program-specific criteria, ABA Facility Providers would also need to meet the below facility and outpatient clinic criteria.
Credentialing Criteria for Facility/Organizational Providers;
The following criteria apply to all facility / organizational providers:
1. Possess all valid and applicable state licenses.
2. Possess professional liability coverage at a minimum level of $1,000,000 per episode and $3,000,000 aggregate.
3. Must meet acceptable criteria for malpractice claims history for the past five years – if applicable. When a judgment/settlement includes a confidentiality agreement or is pending, the applicant must provide a brief statement detailing the facts of the claim, the allegation, and the response of the applicant. The applicant must submit a corrective action plan that details areas of deficiency, action steps implemented, and relevant prevention initiatives.
4. Accreditation from one of the following accrediting bodies: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); The Joint Commission (TJC); The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF); Council on Accreditation (COA), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), or Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP). When not accredited, a site visit review must be completed prior to the credentialing decision being made.
5. Certification from Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or state agencies, if applicable.
6. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certification, if applicable.
Outpatient Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Clinic Criteria:
1. Possess all valid and applicable state licenses.
2. Must have, or have a formal contract with, a multi-disciplinary staff that includes at least one licensed psychiatrist, one licensed psychologist (psychologist must also be licensed to perform psychological testing), and at least one-licensed master’s or doctoral level mental health clinician.
3. Must have written credentialing criteria for all clinical staff.
4. Must have criteria for admissions, screening, and referral.
5. Must provide comprehensive individualized treatment plans.
6. Must provide 24hr/7 days per week coverage for crisis assessment/ Intervention.
7. All non-licensed staff must have direct clinical supervision by licensed staff; non-licensed staff may not provide the predominant portion of any major intervention modality, other than educational services.
8. Must have written quality improvement program.
9. Must receive oversight from a licensed behavioral health professional.
10. All billing must be under the clinic’s name and tax identification number.
11. Must have centralized intake and billing.
12. Must provide or have access to individual, group, and family therapy.
