Reaction & Discussion Articles
August, 2007
Page 4
Given that these new policy initiatives will have significant effects on most certificants, we have asked two individuals to provide some additional information and thoughts regarding these new developments. Crystal Harms, the board of directors’ BCABA member, discusses the new policies regarding BCABA certificants. Dr. James Johnston provides a summary and discussion of the specialty development process.
New Developments Affecting Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts

Crystal Harms, M.Ed., BCABA
One of the topics of fervid discussion during the board of directors meeting was the distinction between a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA). As a BCABA, I have been practicing in the field using this title for the past 11 years, first as a FL-CABA in Florida and then as a Charter Certificant through the BACB. Throughout my years of work in Florida, Pennsylvania, and now New Jersey, I have found myself having to explain to clients the hierarchy of the certification and the meaning of the “Associate” title. At times, it has been a source of frustration. Maybe other BCABAs out there can relate to the uncomfortable nature of these conversations when clients are confused and then question where we fit into the service delivery model.

In addition, I have pursued BCBAs to provide me mentorship and supervision over the past decade. As an Associate Certificant, I am obligated to provide services with supervision from a BCBA. The mentoring relationships that I have formed over the years have been vital to my provision of ethical and best practice treatment to my clients. I see other BCABAs practicing without supervision and it concerns me considering the limitations to our treatment ability (see guidelines re: punitive intervention) and the need for guidance from professionals in the field with higher level educational and practical experience from which we can learn and our clients can benefit. Not all BCBAs seem fully informed as to the role of BCABAs either. The term “Associate” actually was adopted from the original Florida certification program. Since its adoption, the Board has come to realize that the “Associate” term can cause confusion and is not the most accurate representation of the role a BCABA plays in the delivery of

behavior analysis services. The Board decided that the term “Assistant” is more appropriate, as it clearly identifies the role of the BCABA. It is also easier to understand quickly, especially for consumers, because it is comparable to the terminology used in other professions, such as the Physician’s Assistant and Physical Therapy Assistant, for example. In addition to being more informative for consumers, this could also potentially assist certificants as we continue to pursue recognition from insurance companies for treatment coverage.

Finally, the Board has decided to more formally outline the relationship between BCBAs and what will now be referred to as BCaBAs, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts. The new requirements for supervision of BCaBAs were outlined earlier in this newsletter. Before any Assistant level colleagues begin to worry about the impact of and the ability to fulfill these new requirements, please be assured that they will come in very reasonable intervals and stages. The formal title change from Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst to Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst will not occur until January 1, 2009, which will allow the BACB and certificants time to prepare for the change. Supervision requirements will also allow ample time between the announcement of the requirements and their implementation. I encourage everyone to look at these changes as positive moves on the part of our organization to create more cohesive and collaborative professional credentials that can be seen by the community as comparable to other well respected professions. I look forward to the opportunity to approach my local BCBA colleagues and feel comfortable requesting their mentorship as we move forward with this more formal relationship between BCBAs and BCaBAs.
  Reaction & Discussion Articles
Page 1
  New Developments
Affecting BCABAs
Page 4
  Summary of the BACB’s
Consideration of
Specialty Certification
Page 5
  New Behavior Analyst
Journal
Page 7