Do You Need a Behavior Analyst License? State-by-State Guide
Behavior analysts apply principles of behavior science to assess and treat behavioral issues, often working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions. State licensing for behavior analysts has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Quick Answer
42 of 51 states require a state-level behavior analyst license or certification.
State-by-State Behavior Analyst License Requirements
The table below shows whether each state requires a state-level behavior analyst license, the regulation level (where available), and a link to the relevant licensing authority.
| State | License Required | Regulation Level | Board Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Alaska | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Arizona | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Arkansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| California | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Colorado | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Connecticut | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Delaware | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| District of Columbia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Florida | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Georgia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Hawaii | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Idaho | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Illinois | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Indiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Iowa | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kentucky | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Louisiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maine | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maryland | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Massachusetts | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Michigan | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Minnesota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Mississippi | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Missouri | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Montana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Nebraska | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Nevada | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Hampshire | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Jersey | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Mexico | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| New York | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Carolina | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Dakota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Ohio | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oklahoma | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oregon | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Pennsylvania | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Rhode Island | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| South Carolina | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| South Dakota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Tennessee | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Texas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Utah | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Vermont | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Washington | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| West Virginia | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wisconsin | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wyoming | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
What If My State Doesn't Require a License?
Even if your state does not mandate a state-level behavior analyst license, you may still need to meet local requirements. Many cities and counties impose their own licensing, registration, or permit requirements. Additionally, voluntary certification from professional organizations can enhance your credibility and job prospects. Always check with your local government and relevant professional associations.
How to Get Licensed
If your state requires a behavior analyst license, requirements typically include completing an approved education or training program, passing an exam, and submitting an application with applicable fees. Specific requirements vary by state — visit your state's licensing board website (linked in the table above) for detailed information on the application process.
Requirements change — always verify with your state's licensing authority.
Check Your State's Requirements
See the full licensing requirements for your state, including fees, education hours, and exams.