Certification & Licensure
There are two credentials that professionals in applied behavior analysis can earn: New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The Applied Behavior Analysis program/MS (ABA-MS) degree-granting program at the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University (SUNY Downstate) in the School of Health Professions (SOHP) is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for a New York State Applied Behavior Analyst (LBA) license. However, it is important to note that the practice of applied behavior analysis and the requirements for licensure for licensed behavior analysts fall under the regulatory oversight of the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department, with the assistance of the State Board for Applied Behavior Analysis. As such, SUNY Downstate cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a behavior analyst license in New York State; instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure authority in New York State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure requirements and application processes.
Unless otherwise noted, SUNY Downstate’s SOHP has not made a determination if these curricula meet the state educational requirements for states other than the State of New York.
Note: The program only accepts distance education students who are located in New York State. A student’s location is determined by the state that they are in at the time of initial enrollment in the program.
Students who complete the M.S. in ABA degree will have the coursework necessary to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. Upon passing the BCBA exam, graduates will be eligible for New York State’s license in behavior analysis.