In an effort to assist certificants in remaining up-to-date with BACB requirements, the following timeline and table summarize recent and upcoming changes announced by the BACB in newsletters or other resources. Click the timeline to enlarge.
| Effective Date | Area | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | Application and Examination Jurisdiction | Only individuals who reside in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK may apply for BACB certification and/or take a BACB examination. | Recent Changes to the BACB’s International Focus December 2019 announcement |
| July 1, 2023 | Coursework from VCSs approved under Alternative Pathways | The BACB will no longer accept non-university coursework, including coursework from a Verified Course Sequence approved under an Alternative Pathway in which courses are taught outside of an accredited educational institution. | International Development & Support web page |
| January 1, 2024 | BCBA and BCaBA Coursework Expiration Policy | A rolling 10-year expiration date will be placed on coursework submitted as part of a BCBA or BCaBA certification application. | March 2022 Newsletter |
| January 1, 2025 | BCBA Examinations | The BCBA examination will be based on the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.). | February 2022 Newsletter |
| BCaBA Examinations | The BCaBA examination will be based on the BCaBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.). | February 2022 Newsletter | |
| January 1, 2026 | BCBA and BCaBA Verified Coursework | All Pathway 2 certification applications will require that a VCS Coordinator Coursework Attestation is completed by a designated program contact. | January 2023 announcement to VCS Coordinators |
| January 1, 2027 | BCBA Eligibility and Maintenance Requirements | Revisions to core certification requirements, including degree, coursework, supervised fieldwork, continuing education, and ongoing supervision. Pathways 3 and 4 discontinued. | March 2022 Newsletter |
| BCaBA Eligibility and Maintenance Requirements | Revisions to core certification requirements, including degree, coursework, supervised fieldwork, continuing education, and ongoing supervision. | March 2022 Newsletter | |
| January 1, 2032 | BCBA Eligibility Pathways | Pathway 1, which requires a degree from an accredited university training program, will be the only eligibility pathway for BCBA certification. | March 2022 Newsletter |