Why You Should Become A BCBA: The Career Landscape & Future of ABA Therapy

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When choosing your career path, there are many things to consider. The most important factors include a passion for the field, whether or not there is demand for it in society, and if it will earn you a living wage. Unfortunately, regardless of how dedicated we are to what we do for a living, we still have to eat.

Working with children is a calling – and working with children with special needs even more so. Many people who feel strongly about one or both of these choose to become teachers, play therapists, or occupational therapists, to name a few.

But, there is a growing demand for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) due to the increasing awareness of autism and the recognition of broader criteria that have led to increased diagnosis. We often hear that autism is on the rise, but it is not necessarily the case. Instead, there is more acknowledgment of the broad spectrum, and many who would not have received a diagnosis in the past now meet the criteria.

What is a BCBA?

A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) is a graduate-level healthcare professional who has specialized in behavioral analysis and skills acquisition. They guide and supervise ABA therapists who implement their therapy programs. Throughout the therapy process, they monitor the progress made by the patient and identify new goals that arise.  

Upon meeting with their patients, they observe and assess their behaviors and pinpoint areas that need improvement. After an assessment, BCBAs determine and set specific goals for their patients and design and implement a plan to help them achieve those goals.

Behavioral treatment for children with autism and developmental disabilities

BCBAs deliver Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to diverse populations, but most commonly work with children on the autistic spectrum.  ABA is well known for being a successful, evidence-based behavioral therapy for treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In fact, it is the most widely used and respected therapy available for children with ASD.  The treatment is effective throughout the child’s lifetime, and its goals address several skills, including cognitive, language, social, and self-help skills.  An ABA therapist is trained to deliver behavior therapy programs to children with autism but can only do so under the supervision of a BCBA. While BCBAs are at the core of ABA therapy, they are not limited to working specifically in the field of autism. BCBAs can use their skills and training to treat children with other developmental disabilities such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. 

BCBAs’ highly specialized skills and training are also used to treat various behavioral problems. These include:

Behavior analysis in brain injury rehabilitation

BCBAs play a pivotal role when working with interdisciplinary teams providing rehabilitation for people who have sustained brain injuries. Brain injuries can cause cognitive and behavioral changes, impacting the patient’s ability to live independently. BCBAs assess the patient and develop skill-acquisition and behavior-reduction programs designed to improve interactions and to help the patient progress to a point where they can return to work and live full, meaningful lives.

Prevention and behavioral intervention of child maltreatment

When a child is subjected to neglect or abuse, it can majorly impact their overall well-being and mental health. BCBAs intervene by designing interventions that teach parents the appropriate behavior and skills necessary to prevent maltreatment and ensure their children receive the care and support needed to achieve developmental norms.

Behavioral treatment of substance use disorders

Substance abuse is seen as operant behavior, which can be modified through reinforcement and consequences. As a result, behavioral therapies can treat and prevent further misuse of illicit substances and the social and psychological effects that come with them. BCBAs consider factors such as how the patient’s environment affects their behavior, understanding how the behavior is learned, and what reinforcement strategies will diminish the behavior.

Behavioral pediatrics 

Up to 50% of all pediatric medical visits are due to behavioral problems that can be remediated with ABA. These issues include routine behavior, like avoiding bedtime to challenges such as bed wetting, difficulty following medical regimes, or medical problems that can be exacerbated by behavior, such as diabetes.

Does this sound like a career you can be passionate about? Now that you understand exactly what a BCBA does, this is how you can become one.

How to become a board-certified behavior analyst?

A BCBA is a graduate-level healthcare professional, so it takes time and dedication to become qualified in the field. As you work towards certification, you will have the opportunity to work in the field by becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). RBTs are on the front lines of delivering behavior analytic services. They earn great pay compared to other jobs that do not require a college degree. The compensation can be used to alleviate college costs as you become BCBA certified.

Circle Care services has a partnered with Felician University so that our employed RBTs, BTs, and ABA therapists can join their BCBA accredidation program at a reduced tuition rate. Your work with Circle Care clients will count towards the field work needed to complete your degree, and the experience you gain along the way is invaluable!

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

To qualify as an RBT, you need to be at least 18 years old and will require the following:

• High school diploma – This indicates that you received a general education and have the necessary work ethic to study and pass the training and competency portions of the certification process.
• Completed 40 hours of training – The training process covers all the skills necessary for your career as an RBT. The training focuses on six areas: measuring and analyzing data, assessment, skills acquisitions, behavior reduction, documenting and reporting on data, and learning the profession’s conduct and scope of practice.
• Completed initial competency assessment –Your supervising BCBA will assess you after you complete your training. You will be interviewed about the learned concepts and may be required to role-play or give examples of how you would approach certain situations. You must also model assigned tasks with a client during competency assessments. The supervising BCBA’s assessment findings are included with your application for registration.
• Pass your RBT exam –to become certified and added to the registry of RBTs, you need to pass an official exam. Agencies will often pay for the exam if they intend to hire you.
• Renew annually – your RBT certificate will expire a year after your exam and must be renewed annually. For your certification to be renewed, you must have received ongoing supervision and adhere to the code of ethics.

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

BCaBAs hold an undergraduate-level certification in ABA and can earn their certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. However, as a BCaBA, you cannot practice independently and must be supervised by a  BCBA.

• Bachelor’s degree –  You need to complete an ABAI Accredited Undergraduate Program at an accredited college or university or complete coursework through an accredited university that offers the VCS program. BCaBA candidates can sit for their exams after completing 1,300 supervised fieldwork hours.
• Take and pass the BCaBA® exam
• Re-certify every two years – as with the RTB certification, BCaBAs must show evidence of ongoing supervision and must complete 20 education units to qualify for renewal.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Becoming a BCBA requires commitment and effort.

• Doctoral degree – To qualify as a BCBA, you must earn a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited program. In addition, you need a minimum of 18 units in behavior analytic coursework.
• Behavior-analytic coursework – in addition to your units of study, you must acquire supervised practical experience. The Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board (BAAB) requires 750-1,500 hours of supervised practical experience in ABA. In addition, a qualified BCBA will observe you for at least 5% of your time with clients.
• Faculty teaching and research – you need to hold a full-time faculty position in behavior analysis. The positions must include research and teaching over and above your period of supervised practical experience.
• Post-doctoral experience –You also need to hold a doctoral degree and have at least ten years of post-doctoral practical experience.
• Pass BCBA exam – Once the coursework and hours are complete, your supervisor will sign your completed forms. You can submit all the documentation of your field experience and supervision and sit for the board examination with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The exam comprises 150 questions and takes about four hours.
• Certification exam every two years – Your BCBA® credential needs to be renewed every two years. To renew, you must ensure that you meet the continuing education requirements (32 CEUs), complete the renewal application, pay the associated fees and adhere to the BACB’s Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.

There is no quick and easy road to becoming a BCBA. However, like most careers in special needs and health care, it is well worth it when you see the impact you are making on the lives of the children you treat. BCBAs are fortunate to make significant, measurable differences in the lives of their patients, opening doors to previously unattainable opportunities.

FAQs About BCBAs

How long does it take to become a BCBA?

It can take an estimated six to eight years to become a certified BCBA, depending on the time it takes to complete your undergraduate and graduate degree. The work experience requirements are also taken into account here. However, there are many options for accelerated programs. If you are driven and want to complete your degree faster, be sure to ask about the accelerated options at your school of choice.

What skills do you need to be a BCBA?

There are several skills that employers will look out for on your resume, and also many soft skills that you need to thrive in your chosen career. Of course, good organizational skills, supervisory experience, communications skills, and the ability to collaborate are essential. However, soft skills such as being an active listener, being approachable, having excellent critical thinking skills, and having deep compassion will separate good therapists from unforgettable ones.

Is BCBA a stressful job?

Like in any career, your work environment more than anything else will determine your stress level. BCBAs who have the passion will experience the rewarding benefits of the job above anything else. As a BCBA, you take on as many or as few cases as you wish, which means you control your work-life balance. At Circle Care Services we meet regularly with each BCBA, prepare materials to cut back on their preparation time, and work respectfully to resolve issues, because we aim to create a low-stress environment for our staff. The job of BCBA isn’t without the potential for stress, but at the end of the day, any amount of frustration or stress is but a small price to pay for the satisfaction you will experience as you watch your clients make life-altering gains.

What is the difference between a behavior analyst and an ABA therapist?

A BCBA is a board-certified, graduate-level health care professional,  who observes and assesses the clients, determines their goals, designs their program, and oversees progress. An ABA therapist puts the program into practice by working 1:1 with the client under the supervision of a BCBA.

How can you determine if becoming a behavior analyst is right for you?

 If you have a deep interest in human behavior and want an in-demand career that can be flexible and provide a good living, being a behavioral analyst ticks all the boxes. It is a rewarding career that allows you the opportunity to improve many lives… including your own!