How to Become a BCBA? Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Journey

Choosing to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is not just a career choice—it is a calling. This path is deeply fulfilling, offering opportunities to create lasting, meaningful change in the lives of individuals, families, and even entire communities. So, what does it take to embark on this exciting journey into the world of behavior analysis and applied behavior analysis (ABA)?

What Does It Mean to Be a BCBA?

At its core, a BCBA’s role is applying the science of behavior analysis to solve real-world challenges. Rooted in the groundbreaking work of B.F. Skinner, this field seeks to understand and shape behavior by examining environmental factors and an individual’s unique history. In other words, BCBAs look at an individual’s behavior that they want to change, examines what happens before (antecedents) and after (consequences), and creates a plan to change that behavior by implementing proactive changes, reinforcing new behaviors, and a myriad of other behavior-change procedures. 

What BCBA’s Do

• Help a child with autism develop communication and social skills.
• Support families in managing challenging behaviors at home.
• Work in corporate settings to improve employee performance and job satisfaction.
• Train animals
• Work in a school to assist teachers with classroom management.
• Collaborate with group homes and adult clients to improve their daily living skills.
• Work with a governmental agency to create strategies to better prevent diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and/or emphysema.

No matter the context, you will be teaching others how to create and sustain positive change. By using the science of behavior—understanding the relationships between actions and their consequences—you will tackle challenges that range from helping a teacher manage a classroom to designing interventions that enhance community safety.

How to Get Started in the Field of ABA

Your first step? Immerse yourself in the world of ABA. Many professionals begin as behavior technicians, working directly with clients to implement treatment plans designed by a BCBA. Others start in school-based roles, gaining valuable experience in behavior therapy and seeing the transformative power of applied behavior analysis firsthand. Some work in early intervention, supporting young children as they develop critical skills. This work demands patience, creativity, and a caring approach—qualities that are foundational to success in this field.

Education: The Foundation of Your BCBA Journey

Becoming a BCBA requires a master’s degree and behavior analytic coursework, as outlined by the BACB, the governing body in the United States for RBTs, BCaBAs, and BCBAs. During your studies, you will dive into concepts such as operant conditioning, reinforcement, shaping, extinction, and behavioral skills training, just to name a few.

These are not just theoretical ideas—they are the tools that allow you to create change. Whether you are designing a behavior intervention plan for a client or helping an organization improve its culture, these principles are your guide.

Exploring the Many Roles of a BCBA

One of the most exciting aspects of being a BCBA is the versatility of the field. You might work in:

• Clinical settings: Supporting individuals and families in homes, schools, or clinics.
• Healthcare: Using ABA principles to improve patient care.
• Organizational Behavior Management (OBM): Enhancing employee productivity in corporate environments.
• Sports and public policy: Applying behavior analysis to improve performance or tackle societal challenges.

Fieldwork: Where Learning Meets Practice

Fieldwork is where you will bring your knowledge to life. Under the supervision of an experienced BCBA, you will practice writing behavior plans, conducting assessments, and analyzing data. This hands-on experience is invaluable, giving you a firsthand look at how your work can empower others and drive change.

During your fieldwork, you will engage in activities where you will need to accrue 2000 fieldwork hours under a BCBA supervisor. As of 2025, they will include 40% restricted and 60% unrestricted hours, plus observations and unrestricted supervisions from your BCBA. The activities include:

• Restricted activities: Working directly with clients during intervention sessions. These activities will demonstrate your ability to perform the behavior analytic concepts you have learned.
• Unrestricted activities: These are activities that a BCBA performs such as developing treatment plans, teaching caregivers’ concepts and how to use them in their lives, training staff, and supervising other behavior therapists. These are more complex because you must learn to take the principles and explain in everyday terminology to help others.

The Final Steps to Certification

Once you have completed your coursework and fieldwork, it is time to take the BCBA board certification exam. Depending on the state that you would like to practice in, you may have additional requirements to practice, such as applying for a license. After passing, your journey as a certified professional begins—but the learning does not stop there. Staying current with the latest research and practices in applied behavior analysis is essential to providing the best possible support to those you serve.

Why Become a BCBA?

This field is unique because it allows you to make a direct impact. By thoughtfully applying the principles of ABA, you can help individuals overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and thrive.

If you are passionate about helping others, excited to learn, and ready to solve real-world problems, becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst might be the perfect fit for you. Yes, the journey is challenging, but the rewards—empowering others, fostering growth, and driving meaningful change—are more than worth it.