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 Master of Science (ABA-MS) degree program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in the School of Health Professions is registered with the New York State Education Department and meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in New York State. Students who complete the program will also have the coursework necessary to sit for the national Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) exam. Upon passing the BCBA exam, graduates are eligible to apply for New York State licensure.
Students should be aware that New York State licensure requirements differ in some respects from national certification requirements. Most notably, New York regulations prohibit licensure candidates from paying a Licensed Behavior Analyst for supervision. Supervised experience must meet the standards outlined in Section 79-17.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, revised effective 2023.
All clinical experiences completed through SUNY Downstate’s ABA program will be conducted in accordance with all applicable New York State laws, rules, and regulations. Students will be made aware of these requirements during orientation and throughout the fieldwork planning process.
The practice of applied behavior analysis and the requirements for licensure in New
York fall under the oversight of the New York State Board of Regents and the State
Education Department, with support from the State Board for Applied Behavior Analysis.
SUNY Downstate cannot determine whether an individual will be granted licensure and
encourages all candidates to contact the New York State Office of the Professions
for current licensure information:
Laws, Rules & Regulations for Licensed Behavior Analysts
Unless otherwise noted, SUNY Downstate’s School of Health Professions has not made a determination as to whether its curriculum meets educational requirements in states outside New York.
Note: The program only accepts distance education students who are located in New York State at the time of initial enrollment.