How do I become a BCaBA?

A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) in Oklahoma

At The Sunshine Academy, our pediatric ABA therapy clinic in Broken Arrow, OK, we're passionate about growing the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). We often receive inquiries from aspiring professionals in nearby Tulsa and beyond about pursuing Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification. This undergraduate-level certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) equips you to support behavior-analytic services under BCBA supervision, making it an excellent step for those entering the ABA field.

Based on the latest BACB guidelines (as of the BCaBA Handbook updated March 2025), I'll outline the steps, timeline, schooling options, supervision requirements, and how starting as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at our clinic can accelerate your journey. Remember, requirements evolve—always check bacb.com for updates, especially with major revisions coming in 2026 and 2027.

Steps to Become a BCaBA

Achieving BCaBA certification involves meeting eligibility criteria through one of two pathways, accumulating fieldwork, passing an exam, and maintaining standards. Here's the breakdown:

1. Obtain a Qualifying Degree

   You'll need a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution in any field. For degrees from outside the U.S., Canada, Australia, or the UK, a BACB-overseen equivalency evaluation is required.
   

2. Complete Behavior-Analytic Coursework

   • Pathway 1: Earn your degree from an ABAI-accredited undergraduate program (obtained in 2015 or later while accredited).

   • Pathway 2 (most common): Complete 225 hours of verified behavior-analytic coursework at the undergraduate level or higher, within 10 years of application. Content areas include:

     • Ethics and Professionalism: 30 hours (15 in freestanding courses)

     • Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts & Principles: 45 hours

     • Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation; Experimental Design: 30 hours

     • Behavior Assessment: 45 hours

     • Behavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing Interventions: 60 hours

     • Personnel Supervision and Management: 15 hours

       
       

       Coursework must be from an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence (VCS) with a passing grade (C or higher). Non-verified coursework won't be accepted after January 1, 2026, and Pathway 2 will require a Coursework Attestation from a program contact starting then.
       

3. Accumulate Supervised Fieldwork

   
   

   Gain hands-on experience under a qualified supervisor (typically a BCBA who has completed 8-hour supervision training and meets BACB criteria). Options include:

   • Standard Supervised Fieldwork: 1,300 total hours.

   • Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: 1,000 total hours (with higher supervision intensity).

     
     

     You can combine types. Hours must accrue at 20–130 per month over up to 5 years, involve multiple clients, and start after beginning qualifying coursework. At least 40% must be unrestricted activities (e.g., assessments, data analysis); no more than 60% restricted (e.g., direct therapy). A supervision contract is mandatory. Note: Supervisor options (e.g., VCS instructors or certain psychologists) end January 1, 2026, but pre-2026 fieldwork remains valid until 2032.
     

4. Pass the BCaBA Certification Exam

   Submit an application with transcripts, attestations, and fieldwork forms. Once approved (up to 45 days), you have 2 years to pass the 4-hour, 175-question (150 scored) multiple-choice exam via Pearson VUE. It's based on the 6th edition Test Content Outline as of January 1, 2025.
   

5. Apply and Maintain Certification

   Apply via your BACB account. Post-certification, maintain with 20 CEUs every 2 years (including 4 in ethics and 3 in supervision if overseeing RBTs), adhere to the Ethics Code, and practice under BCBA supervision. Recertify every 2 years. As of January 1, 2025, you can't hold multiple BACB certifications (e.g., must relinquish RBT upon BCaBA approval).
   

Revisions to eligibility and maintenance (e.g., degree, coursework, fieldwork, CEUs) take effect January 1, 2027—plan accordingly.

Timeline

Your journey depends on your starting point and pace:

• With a bachelor's degree, coursework might take 6–12 months part-time.

• Fieldwork could span 9–24 months (e.g., 20 hours/week for ~15 months to reach 1,300 hours).

• Overall, expect 1–3 years to certification, plus application/exam time. Factor in 2026/2027 changes, which may require earlier completion of certain elements.
  

Schooling Options

Oklahoma lacks undergraduate VCS programs, but online options abound for Tulsa residents. Search the ABAI VCS Directory (abainternational.org/vcs/directory.aspx) for BCaBA-level programs. Recommended providers:

• Florida Institute of Technology (FIT)

• Purdue University Global

• University of North Texas

  
  

  Hybrid options exist in nearby states like Kansas or Texas.
  

Supervision Hours Needed

Supervision from a qualified BCBA is key:

• Standard: At least 5% of total hours (e.g., 65 hours for 1,300 total), with 4 contacts/month and 1 client observation per period.

• Concentrated: At least 10% (e.g., 100 hours for 1,000 total), with 6 contacts/month and 1 observation.

  
  

  At least 50% of supervision must be individual; group sessions are limited. Contacts can be real-time or recorded. At The Sunshine Academy, our BCBAs offer compliant supervision—reach out for details.
  

How Being an RBT at The Sunshine Academy Helps Your Progression

Starting as an RBT is a smart entry point and directly supports BCaBA goals:

• Fieldwork Credit: RBT duties (e.g., implementing behavior plans) count toward restricted fieldwork hours. Our BCBAs provide the required supervision, helping you log hours efficiently.

• Skill Building: Gain practical exposure to diverse pediatric clients, building toward unrestricted activities like assessments—essential for the 40% requirement.

• Professional Growth: We foster ethics and competencies through training, aligning with BCaBA standards. Many RBTs here advance to BCaBA, with tailored support.

• Career Ladder: Per our promotion criteria, excel as an RBT to access Lead RBT roles. Note: You'll relinquish RBT certification upon BCaBA approval due to the 2025 policy.

  
  

  We have open RBT positions—contact us to integrate fieldwork into your role!