How to Become a BCBA in Colorado

You might be surprised to learn that the just need for Colorado BCBA professionals keeps soaring. Job growth projections show an impressive 36% increase through 2030.

The numbers tell an interesting story. Colorado posted 1,547 BCBA job openings in 2023 alone. This impressive growth shows how much qualified behavior analysts are needed throughout the state. The timing couldn’t be better if you’re thinking over this rewarding career path. Colorado BCBAs earn an average base salary of $80,225, and experienced professionals can make over $90,000.

Your experience to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Colorado has several essential steps. A master’s program takes 2-3 years, and supervised fieldwork typically needs 1-2 years to complete. Colorado stands out as one of just 11 states that doesn’t regulate applied behavior analysts’ practice. However, you’ll still need to meet specific requirements to practice professionally and qualify for insurance reimbursement.

We will guide you through every step you need to become a successful BCBA in Colorado. We’ll help you start your career in applied behavior analysis, whether you’re beginning your educational experience or switching to this growing field. Let’s begin your path to a rewarding career!

Education Requirements for Colorado BCBAs

Your BCBA career starts with meeting specific educational requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). These qualifications will give you the knowledge and skills you need to practice applied behavior analysis effectively in Colorado.

Getting BCBA certification in Colorado requires a master’s degree or higher in behavior analysis, psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution. This graduate-level education is the life-blood of your professional development that provides essential theoretical frameworks and practical applications.

Your master’s program must have a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). This verification confirms your coursework meets BACB’s standards and really prepares you for certification. The coursework typically has:

• Behavioral assessment methodologies
• Intervention strategies
• Professional ethics
• Measurement techniques
• Supervision practices

Looking for a graduate program in Colorado? Focus on programs that advertise “ABAI-verified course sequences” or clearly state they meet BACB requirements. Several Colorado universities offer excellent BCBA programs, including the University of Colorado Denver and Colorado State University. Most programs now offer flexible learning options with part-time and online formats that fit different schedules.

Your educational experience also needs supervised fieldwork. The BACB offers two ways to complete this requirement:

1. Supervised Fieldwork: You’ll need 2,000 hours under qualified supervision
2. Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: You’ll need 1,500 hours under more intensive supervision

Your supervisor should be an active BCBA with no current disciplinary sanctions, certified for at least one year, and meet ongoing supervision CEU requirements. Your fieldwork must fit specific timeframes and meet all current BACB requirements.

Students at the University of Colorado Denver can take advantage of their Master of Arts in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis concentration. This program has both required coursework and practicum experiences needed for the BCBA examination. This combined approach makes your path to certification smoother.

Once you complete your education and supervised experience, you’ll need to pass the BCBA examination. The test has 150 multiple-choice questions administered by Pearson VUE. You can take the test at several locations in Colorado including Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Aurora, Littleton, Greeley, and Pueblo.

The application process needs verification of your education, supervised experience documentation, and a passing BCBA exam score. The application fee is about $300. You must complete all coursework within 10 years of submitting your application to keep your knowledge current.

Colorado doesn’t require state-specific licensure for BCBAs, but you must follow BACB’s ethical guidelines and continuing education requirements to keep your certification. This national certification lets you work in healthcare facilities of all sizes throughout Colorado.

Colorado universities now teach additional skills in culturally responsive care, trauma-informed practices, and diverse service delivery models. These skills are vital in Colorado’s behavioral health world. This extra training can make you more effective as a practitioner and open up more career opportunities in the state.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your path to becoming a BCBA in Colorado starts after completing your education. Colorado stands out from other states since it doesn’t need state-specific licensure for behavior analysts. You’ll need to get national certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to practice professionally.

The BACB gives you three certification levels, each with its own role:

1. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) – A paraprofessional who works under close supervision of a BCBA
2. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) – An undergraduate-level professional practicing under BCBA supervision
3. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) – A graduate-level professional able to practice independently

The BCBA examination comes next after meeting eligibility requirements and submitting your certification application. This computer-based test has 185 multiple-choice questions that you need to finish in four hours. The exam tests your knowledge of behavior analysis principles and applications.

The BACB partners with Pearson VUE to give these exams at authorized testing sites. You’ll need a Pearson VUE account to schedule your test. This means you can take the exam at testing centers across Colorado and nearby states.

Here’s what you should do before your exam day:

• Study the BCBA Handbook from cover to cover
• Learn the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts inside out
• Take practice tests to boost your confidence
• Check out the Pearson VUE website to learn the computer-based testing format

Note that you must give at least 48 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel your exam to avoid fees. Changes made within 30 days of your exam date cost extra.

You’ll see your results right after finishing the exam at the testing center. Subject matter experts who are BACB-certified use the modified Angoff method to set passing scores. The BACB sends result confirmation by email, and they show up in your account about a week later.

Recent test data shows first-time BCBA exam candidates had a 54% pass rate in 2024, dropping from 56% in 2023. Retake candidates passed at 22% in 2024, down from 25% in 2023. These numbers show why solid preparation matters.

Colorado makes it simple to start practicing after passing your exam. You just need to keep your BACB certification current and follow their ethical guidelines and continuing education rules.

Some employers or insurance companies might ask you to verify your credentials. Be ready with:

• Proof of BCBA certification
• Your education and supervised experience documents
• Proof that you follow ethical guidelines

Moving to Colorado? The process is straightforward. Just make sure your BCBA certification stays current and in good standing with the BACB – Colorado accepts the national certification. You should still learn about any specific Colorado regulations that might affect your practice.

If you need exam accommodations, send in a BACB Examination Accommodation Request Form with supporting documents as one PDF file. The BACB usually reviews these requests in 10-14 days, though they might need more documents sometimes.

The field keeps evolving. The BACB plans to update RBT requirements in 2026. Staying current with these changes helps maintain your professional standing.

Salaries for BCBAs in Colorado

Your BCBA certification trip includes learning about the money side of your career. Colorado BCBAs get paid well because of their special skills and the growing need for qualified behavior analysts in the state.

Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Colorado make about $93,664 per year. This comes to $45.03 per hour, $1,801 weekly, or $7,805 monthly. The best-performing professionals (90th percentile) can earn up to $139,326 yearly[122]. Their pay increases by a lot with experience.

Most BCBAs in the state earn between $77,800 (25th percentile) and $95,200 (75th percentile)[122]. This pay range shows there’s plenty of room to grow based on your skills, where you work, and your experience.

Where you work in Colorado affects how much you make. Recent data shows these yearly BCBA salaries by city:

Your earning potential as a BCBA in Colorado depends on several things:

• Workplace setting – Private practices, schools, and hospitals pay differently
• Years of experience – More experienced BCBAs earn more
• Specialization – Expert knowledge in specific areas or methods
• Advanced credentials – Extra certifications beyond the BCBA
• Education level – Higher degrees can lead to better pay

Different work settings mean different salaries. Denver’s experienced BCBAs (10+ years) make $66,000-$86,000 in schools, $66,000-$84,000 in hospitals, and $67,000-$84,000 in private practice. Other Colorado cities follow similar patterns. Schools and private practices often pay a bit more than hospitals.

New BCBAs in Colorado start with good salaries too. Denver’s new behavior analysts make $51,000-$67,000 in schools, $53,000-$68,000 in hospitals, and $54,000-$69,000 in private practice. Smaller cities like Pueblo offer starting salaries around $48,000 in schools and private practice, and $47,000 in hospitals.

Denver BCBAs earn a base salary of $89,596, with total pay (including bonuses) averaging $98,536 yearly. These rates match the national average.

BCBAs make more than ABA therapists in Colorado. ABA therapists’ median salary is $52,191 yearly, ranging from $44,328 (25th percentile) to $61,705 (75th percentile). This big difference shows why getting BCBA certification is worth it.

Some special roles pay even better than regular BCBA positions. Certified Analytics Professionals earn about $130,229 yearly – 39% more than average BCBA pay. Other roles like Chairperson Board of Directors ($100,995) and Clinical Value Analyst ($87,056) also pay well.

Your salary can grow nicely after certification. Experienced Colorado BCBAs can make over $84,000 yearly. This growth potential and Colorado’s increasing need for behavior analysis services make it a great state for both new and experienced BCBAs.

Careers in Colorado

Colorado’s job market for behavior analysts offers plenty of career opportunities with 1,547 BCBA job postings in 2023. BCBAs and other mental health professionals can expect job growth of 36% through 2030. These numbers create excellent prospects for newly certified professionals.

Your BCBA credentials will open doors to various work settings throughout the state:

• Clinical settings – Work in autism and developmental disorder clinics providing structured therapy
• Educational institutions – Support students in schools by developing behavior plans
• Home-based services – Deliver therapy directly in clients’ homes
• Telehealth opportunities – Serve rural communities through remote services
• Private practice – Establish your own client base as an independent consultant

Current job listings show positions like Social Skills BCBA, Center Launch BCBA, Clinical Director, Hybrid BCBA, and Behavior Analyst in Training. Organizations offer flexible schedules, and you’ll find both full-time and part-time positions across the state.

Colorado ABA therapy providers value bilingual skills. They often give extra compensation to Spanish-speaking therapists. This shows the state’s dedication to serving diverse populations, especially in metropolitan areas with greater demographic variety.

Experienced BCBAs can move into leadership roles such as Clinical Directors, Program Supervisors, or Managers of ABA programs. These positions let you oversee other therapists, maintain quality standards, and train staff—great for professionals who enjoy operational management.

Job opportunities vary by region in Colorado. Denver’s metropolitan area, including Aurora, Lakewood, and Littleton, has the most positions available. Colorado Springs features numerous school and clinic-based roles. Boulder and Fort Collins benefit from their university connections, creating active communities for behavior analysts.

Southern Colorado and rural mountain areas have fewer but more influential opportunities because these regions often lack ABA services. Remote work positions are becoming more common, so you can help these underserved communities without moving.

Colorado employers offer great benefits packages. ABA Services of Colorado provides health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans with company contributions, paid time off, and eight paid holidays—including your birthday. Companies often highlight their focus on work-life balance, supportive culture, and professional growth.

If you’re still working toward certification, several Colorado organizations include supervision with employment. Colorado ABA Therapy runs an intensive program for BCBA candidates that focuses on practical skills and hands-on experience. This setup creates an easy transition from supervised experience to full employment.

Your specialized skills matter in Colorado’s job market. Experience with specific populations, intervention methods, or extra certifications will boost your job prospects. Building your career requires ongoing professional development to advance in this ever-changing field.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in Colorado offers excellent growth potential and competitive pay. Qualified behavior analysts are in high demand throughout the state. This creates many opportunities to develop specialized skills and advance professionally.

National certification through the BACB plays a vital role in professional practice, even though Colorado doesn’t require state licensure. Getting certified takes dedication – you’ll need to complete a master’s degree, meet supervised fieldwork requirements, and pass the certification exam.

The financial benefits make this career path worth pursuing. BCBAs in Colorado can earn attractive salaries ranging from $77,800 to $139,326 based on their location, experience, and workplace. On top of that, you can choose from various career paths in clinical settings, educational institutions, home-based services, and telehealth platforms.

Your path to becoming a BCBA in Colorado takes careful planning and commitment. This piece outlines clear steps to help you achieve your certification goals. The behavioral analysis profession gives you a chance to help others while enjoying professional growth and stability. This applies whether you’re starting your education or switching from another field.

Your success in this field relies on your commitment to continuous learning and growth. Taking the first step today will set you up for a meaningful career in one of Colorado’s fastest-growing healthcare professions.