How to Become a Certified ABA Therapist

Written by: rocket_content • Edited by: Elizabeth Wistrom
Updated Jun 29, 2011 • Related Guides: Autism

Applied Behavior Analysis is a career that needs very dedicated people. You will be dealing with children that have developmental delays and behavioral issues. It is also a very rewarding and giving career.

The ABA Therapist's Role

ABA therapy, which stands for Applied Behavior Analysis is a system that teaches children with autism to learn and unlearn different behaviors and helps them improve their social and behavior skills implementing a reward system along with other strategies. There are different levels of ABA therapist training depending on the education level. ABA therapists work in different settings such as in the home, schools, outreach centers as well as other settings.

The Student

Education Requirements

ABA therapists typically hold a Bachelors or Masters Degree previously to getting ABA certified in majors like Psychology or Early Child Development. Though is no direct board that certifies ABA therapists alone, there are 3 recognized credentials in the ABA therapist job field. Many facilities and universities train ABA therapists as there is a great need for them with the rising statistics of autism. The three recognized credentials of ABA are BCaBA which stands for Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, BCBA-D which stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctorate and BCBA which stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Any of these credentials can be obtained by holding a Bachelors, or Masters Degree and going to specified classes depending on your previous education. BCaBA’s will need to work under supervision of a BCBA. Jobs in Applied Behavior Analysis include positions such as working one on one with autistic children, teaching other ABA techniques in colleges, or teaching parents how to provide ABA services themselves to their children.

Schooling

The Demand

Other requirements and great qualities to have as an ABA therapist are patience, good communication skills and a love for children with autism. The salary depends on the amount of experience the job candidate has. Home therapy jobs usually reimburse for expenses like gas. The demand of therapists is large right now and based on a flexible schedule, there are tons of job openings and opportunities for even overtime, as many families choose therapy sessions for after school.

Psychotherapy Feb 2, 2012 1:38 AM

RE: How to Become a Certified ABA Therapist

Thanks for the post. I'd think with today's market you'd need a masters degree but maybe not with enough experience.

Terry Jan 29, 2012 3:37 AM

I have worked with young children for 20 years and completed my masters in psychology. I have been accepted to a post grad program for BCBA. However, stats was very difficult for me even with tutors, is there any programs in the behavioral area that do not require stats?

Yolla Jan 12, 2012 1:05 PM

Hi Kimberly.I am an experienced ABA therapist I think I can help you please email me at: yollahassanieh@gmail.com

sheree Dec 25, 2011 1:24 PM

I think the best thing to do would be to set for your BCBA and then consider a getting a masters in education is some field. ASU has a masters in education program that focuses specifically on Autism.

charlotte haskins Sep 7, 2011 3:23 PM

I currently work as an ABA tutor. I am working with a child who have problems with handwriting any ideals to use in my training program? also, social skills on the play ground. Can you give me any ideals how to facilitate play on the play
ground with other children?

Thank you kindly
Charlotte

jagdish Nigam Feb 18, 2011 2:25 AM

Jagdish Nigam

I am an old trained speech therapist from India and working with delayed speech development children.I want to learn about ABA.

Kimberly Jan 19, 2011 6:22 PM

Becoming an ABA teacher

I just graduated college last year with Bachelor's degree in Communications. I know this won't help towards becoming an ABA teacher. Does anyone know how I can go about becoming an ABA teacher? Can I just go for my masters in early childhood education?

Olga Quirarte Nov 14, 2010 11:02 PM

ABA Certificate

I have a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a Teaching Credential in Early Childhood. Do I qualifiy to take the test to be Board Certified to be a ABA Therapist? and if so, where can I take classes to prepare me for the exam in the Los Angeles area?

Kate Oct 4, 2010 11:04 PM

Stephanie

If you are still checking this board and need help with your son, post a message for me ang I maybe able to help you learn ABA or give you good resources, for your son. I have 2 kids with autism and am currently in my internship to become certifed.

Mercy Oct 3, 2010 11:51 PM

MERCY

I am a 17 year old student, still in high school.
I am looking forward to studying whatever it is i need to study in order to become an AUTISTIC THERAPIST. All my teachers have been saying that I have narrowed my options down too much, but even so, I don't care, I WANT TO BE AN AUTISTIC THERAPIST, not an special-education teacher or whatever. Can someone PLEASE tell me what it is I need to study in order to make my way to becoming an autistic therapist ?

Melanie Sep 25, 2010 7:49 PM

ABA therapy

I am working as an ABA therapist with autistic children. I am majoring in psych (As well as CJ). You can work without being certified, but if you do, it proves that you have the expertise, thorough experience (you need 1000 field hours before getting certified) and you can make more money.

As far as being able to work with your son on your own, there are NUMEROUS websites online that can help you.

www.starfall.com
www.differentroadstolearning.com
http://www.appliedbehavioranalysis.com/

hope this helps =)

Stephanie Sep 1, 2010 3:02 PM

Do you have to have a degree to become ABA certified?

I have an autistic child and was interested mostly in learning it to work with him. I don't have a degree. So if you have to have one and I can't afford to pay big bucks he just doesn't get it???? We as parents can't be trained to do this at home???? Sure would be helpful to those of us and our children who can't afford the time it takes to get your degree.....

Aliexe Aug 22, 2010 2:41 PM

ABA

what qualifications do i need to become ABA . like GSCE also what subjects should i be taking for A levels

wong Jul 23, 2010 3:42 AM

information

I have a BA degree in Psychology and Asian Studies. A Master in MBA major in Employee Relationship. I have a diploma on Primary Education. I am also an Art Therapist. I have experience with children with special needs since 2001. I worked with disables with mentally delay and autistic disables when I did my art therapy practicum. I am interested in becoming a ABA... I live in Vancouver, B.C. I would like to know where I can get my training done...thanks

Carrie May 27, 2010 7:35 PM

ABA technical language

To all that have not majored or at least had a few classes at a university with an ABA focus... The BCBA and BCaBA exam requires knowledge regarding ABA terminology. ABA professionals speak and write in a language that may not be familiar to people who have not been specifically trained on conducting research and evaluating empirical research. It is essential that all who take the test are familiar with the terminology. To become familiar, check out scholarly journals such as JABA ( Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis). Google it and it should be the first sight that pops up.

Carrie May 27, 2010 7:31 PM

Justin... response

You can become certified in ABA only by taking a test. Check out BACB.com and that will provide you with a lot of info regarding certification. The type of certification you can receive depends upon your education level (bachelors/masters).

Carrie May 27, 2010 7:29 PM

dalia wagdi response

To become a BCBA you must earn a Master's degree to be qualified to even take the test to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. With your credentials (Bachelors degree) you are qualified to take the BCaBA exam which will allow you to work under the supervision of a BCBA but to apply to take the exam for BCBA you must already have your master's degree. I would recommend enrolling in a program that places emphasis on ABA to better prepare yourself for the extensive exam. Good luck!

shannon ornery Apr 21, 2010 5:53 PM

To get Board Certified (BCBA), you first need a Masters from an accredited school (meaning, you have to go to GRAD school) .Once you complete your Masters in ABA, then that just means you QUALIFY to TAKE the test. It does not mean you can get certified. It just means that you are able to take the test to become certified. There are many people who are ABA therapist with no bachelors degree, nevermind a Masters. Although ABA is very simple concepts, the terminology and "theory" aspects of it would make competent ABA therapist unable to pass the test due to the fact that they are not familiar with the "technical" terms and such......

dalia wagdi Apr 6, 2010 4:04 PM

Become certified ABA therapist

Dear Sirs, my name is dalia i work as speech and language therapist since 1998, and i ve been working with the ABA techniques (ABA implementer) for 7 years with children with autism (age range 2-8) I have BA degree major phonetics and certified "You ake The Difference" leader, Hanen Centre Canada. Does my experience qualifies me to be BCBA? I can peovide recommendation letter with years of experience working as ABA implementer with autism. Also need to know how can i apply and get certified on line? Thanks

JUSTIN Oct 6, 2009 1:35 AM

HOW CAN I GET CERTIFIED IN ABA?