Applying for and Maintaining Certification
Changes to the BACB’s International Focus
In December 2019, the BACB announced multiple changes to our international focus that went into effect on January 1, 2023 (see Recent Changes to the BACB’s International Focus). The BACB currently accepts certification applications from individuals who reside in the following authorized countries: the United States (US), Canada, and Australia. Please see the sections below for additional country and province-specific changes that have occurred since the 2019 announcement.
For more information, please review the following blog post:
Changes to University Training Outside the BACB’s Jurisdiction
Pathway 1 Degree Equivalency. To maintain consistency in educational standards across applicants, effective January 1, 2029, individuals applying for certification through BCaBA Pathway 1 must hold a bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree, and those applying for certification through BCBA Pathway 1 must hold a master’s degree that is equivalent to a US master’s degree. This is in addition to the existing requirement that the program be ABAI-accredited for BCaBA certification or APBA-accredited, ABAI-accredited, or ABAI Tier 2a- or Tier 2b-recognized for BCBA certification.
Pathway 2 Program Contact Jurisdiction. Effective January 1, 2028, Pathway 2 Program Contacts must be affiliated with an educational institution located in a country within the BACB’s jurisdiction. This requirement aligns with the BACB’s jurisdictional requirement for those applying for certification and is necessary following ABAI’s discontinuation of the Verified Course Sequence system. As a reminder, approved Pathway 2 Program Contacts may submit coursework attestations to the BACB as soon as the student has completed all of the Pathway 2 behavior-analytic coursework requirements. This can be done even if the student is still working toward meeting other certification eligibility requirements, such as supervised fieldwork.
Changes to Ontario Certification
New regulations affecting the BACB’s activities in Ontario will take effect in 2024. For details, please review the Upcoming Changes to BACB Certification in Ontario document and the College of Psychologists of Ontario’s ABA web page.
Changes to Australia Certification
At the request of the Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia Executive Board of Directors, the BACB Board of Directors agreed to discontinue offering new BACB certifications in Australia effective January 1, 2027. For details, please review the July 2024 BACB Newsletter.
Changes to United Kingdom Certification
International Support
The BACB remains committed to supporting the dissemination of behavior analysis standards around the world. The BACB has allocated resources to assist national behavior analysis organizations (or organizations that represent the consensus view of the behavior analysis community within a country) in the development of their professional infrastructure, including the development of new credentialing programs.
Support might include in-person or remote consultations, resource development, small grants, and others. Requests for assistance in developing new credentialing programs involve securing an expert on local professional regulation to help identify a course of action suited to the country’s existing infrastructure.
Use the following button to submit a request for country-specific support:
In this episode, Dr. Melissa Nosik hosts a discussion with Drs. Jim Carr and Neil Martin and Board President Dr. Bridget Taylor about the upcoming changes to the BACB's international focus, which includes answers to frequently asked questions.