How to Become a BCBA in Hawaii

A career as a BCBA in Hawaii offers excellent prospects with a projected 25% employment growth through 2030.

Hawaii’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has required behavior analysts to hold licenses since 2016. The path to BCBA licensure needs a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork, and success in the BCBA examination that has a 70% pass rate. The ABA job market in Hawaii has grown significantly, with job openings increasing by 20% in the last five years. The licensing process takes 15-20 business days, which lets you start your career quickly.

This piece guides you through every step to become a certified behavior analyst in Hawaii for 2025. You’ll learn about education requirements, licensing process, and career opportunities. This roadmap will direct you whether you’re starting fresh or planning to move to this beautiful island state.

Education Requirements for Hawaii BCBAs

Getting a Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification in Hawaii starts with meeting the educational requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). These requirements are the basis of your professional experience in applied behavior analysis.

A master’s degree is your first big step toward BCBA certification in Hawaii. The BACB wants you to have at least a master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field from an accredited institution. This advanced degree builds the foundation of your expertise in behavior analysis.

Your graduate education must include specific behavior analysis courses. The quickest way is to complete a master’s program from an Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)-accredited program or an Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)-accredited program. These programs meet all the educational requirements you need for certification.

You can also get a master’s or doctoral degree in related fields like education or psychology. But you’ll need to complete at least 315 hours of graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis. The coursework should be spread across six key areas:

• Ethics and Professionalism: 45 hours
• Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts: 90 hours
• Measurement, Data Analysis, and Experimental Design: 45 hours
• Behavior Assessment: 45 hours
• Behavior-Change Procedures and Interventions: 60 hours
• Personnel Supervision and Management: 60 hours

Students often complete these requirements through Verified Course Sequences (VCS). These programs have ABAI’s verification to meet BACB standards. They line up perfectly with certification requirements.

Hawaii’s aspiring BCBAs should know about recent program changes at local schools. The University of Hawaii at Manoa used to offer a Board Certified Behavior Analyst Course Sequence requiring 18 credits. But the BCBA-Track stopped taking new students in December 2022 as they worked on new accreditation requirements. Spring 2023 was the last time students could enroll.

In spite of that, other educational options exist. The University of Hawaii at Manoa still offers a Master of Education in Special Education with 30-33 credit hours. Students who want BCBA certification should check the program’s current status and accreditation. The university’s doctoral programs are available for advanced education in related fields.

Online master’s degree programs in Applied Behavior Analysis are a great option if you can’t attend classes in person. These programs usually teach behavioral assessment, ethics, intervention design, and data-based decision making. Many help students find supervised fieldwork in their local area.

Your bachelor’s degree can affect which graduate programs accept you. Many master’s in ABA programs like students with degrees in behavioral science, psychology, education, special education, or social work. You might need specific courses like research methodology, general psychology, applied behavior analysis, and developmental psychology.

The master’s program covers ethics, behavior change methods, research designs, and behavioral assessments. You’ll study both basic and advanced behavior analysis. The best programs include thesis work and supervised field experiences that count toward your certification.

ABAI keeps a list of Verified Course Sequences at schools nationwide. This gives Hawaii residents more choices. Hawaii’s multicultural and spread-out population means these programs focus on culturally responsive care and training professionals to help remote and underserved communities.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your path to becoming a behavior analyst in Hawaii continues after you complete your education. The state uses a two-step process that needs both national certification and state-specific licensure.

The foundation starts with getting BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This certification shows you meet national behavior analysis practice standards. You must complete your education and supervised fieldwork before passing the BCBA examination at Pearson VUE.

The BCBA exam includes 185 multiple-choice questions. These cover ethics, assessment, intervention strategies, and supervision. You get 4 hours to complete this full assessment. Data shows first-time test takers have about a 73% pass rate as of 2024. You’ll know your results right away at the testing center. The official confirmation shows up in your BACB account within a week.

The next step after BCBA certification is applying for state licensure through Hawaii’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This requirement came into effect in 2016 with Hawaii Revised Statute Chapter 465D. You can submit your licensing application online or mail it to:

Behavior Analyst Program DCCA-PVL Licensing Branch P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801

Your application needs proof of your current BCBA certification. You can get this by searching your name on the BACB’s certificate registry. Hawaii bases its licensing standards on the BACB Model Act, which means you must maintain BCBA certification.

The one-year abandonment rule plays a vital role in this process. Hawaii Revised Statute §436B-9 states your application becomes abandoned if you don’t complete licensing within a year of filing or fail the exam after becoming eligible. This means you’ll need to reapply and meet the requirements that exist at the time.

Hawaii offers special provisions for military spouses. Those stationed in Hawaii can apply for a temporary license that lasts throughout their service member’s assignment.

Your state license and BACB certification need regular renewal. License renewal happens every two years. All licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years. The next renewal period runs from November 3, 2025, to December 31, 2025, for the 2026-2027 licensing period. Practicing with an expired license is illegal.

Active Behavior Analyst license renewal costs $220, while inactive status costs $12. You can restore forfeited licenses within a year for $320 (active) or $112 (inactive). The state requires a new application if you don’t restore within this timeframe.

BCBAs moving from other states face a simpler process. Hawaii gives licensure by endorsement if you have a current, unrestricted behavior analyst license from another state with similar requirements. Just submit a Verification of License for Licensure by Endorsement Form with your application.

This structured approach helps you establish yourself as a qualified behavior analyst in the Aloha State.

Salaries for BCBAs in Hawaii

The salary outlook plays a crucial role in planning your behavior analysis career in Hawaii. BCBAs in the Aloha State earn salaries that reflect both their expertise and the unique costs of island living.

BCBAs in Hawaii can expect competitive pay compared to mainland positions. The average annual pay for BCBAs in Hawaii is about $92,546 as of August 2025. This comes to $44.49 per hour, $1,779 weekly, or $7,712 monthly. Hawaii ranks 50th among all states for BCBA salaries nationwide.

Your income depends on your experience and location in the islands. New BCBAs start at around $65,000 per year. Your earnings grow as you gain experience. Mid-career professionals make between $76,900 (25th percentile) and $94,000 (75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) take home up to $137,662 annually. Some experienced professionals earn more than $100,000.

Location matters a lot in Hawaii. Urban Honolulu offers great opportunities, with median salaries of $106,650 for BCBAs who have ten years of experience. The top 10% of experienced BCBAs in Urban Honolulu earn up to $142,380 yearly.

Here’s what BCBAs earn annually across different Hawaiian cities:

• Kailua-Kona: $93,106
• Kailua: $92,762
• Ewa Beach: $92,208
• Kahului: $91,546
• Kapolei: $89,785
• Waipahu: $89,047
• Waimanalo: $88,913
• Kaneohe: $88,413
• Honolulu: $87,972
• Lihue: $87,931

Your skills can boost your earning potential. BCBAs with extra certifications in trauma-informed care or autism spectrum disorders often earn 10-20% more. Analytics professionals in Hawaii earn 39% more than BCBAs, with an extra $36,128 on average.

Urban and rural practices offer different pay scales. BCBAs in urban areas like Honolulu earn above $85,000, while rural regions pay closer to $70,000. Base salaries range from $76,000 to $117,000, averaging around $94,000. Many employers add about $10,000 in extra compensation yearly.

BCBAs in Hawaii receive both salary and benefits. The total package averages $103,977 yearly or $50 per hour. Some professionals earn up to $160,419 (90th percentile).

Companies like RCM Technologies, BAYADA Home Health Care, and Hawaii Behavioral Health offer packages between $82,000 and $100,000+ annually.

BCBA salaries in Hawaii keep changing as behavioral health services grow in demand. State and federal funding affects pay rates, creating different salary structures between private practice and government jobs.

Careers in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands offer exciting opportunities for behavior analysts in an expanding field. BCBAs can find work in various settings across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island – from busy city centers to peaceful coastal areas.

Healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and private therapy practices are actively looking for behavior analysts. BAYADA Home Health Care has several school-based BCBA positions in Honolulu, Aiea, Kaneohe, Kailua, Wailuku, and Waipahu. You’ll also find positions with Invo Healthcare in Honolulu and Wahiawa, while Center for Social Dynamics and Step Ahead ABA offer opportunities throughout Oahu.

ABC Group Hawaii stands out among clinic-based ABA providers. They offer a complete benefits package including medical, dental, prescription, vision, and life insurance to full-time employees. The organization’s level system allows uninterrupted transitions and lateral moves within ABA. They were the first in Hawaii to receive Behavioral Health Center of Excellence accreditation.

BCBAs can find these types of positions across Hawaii:

• School-based positions: Working directly with educational institutions to support students with behavioral needs
• Clinic-based roles: Providing services in structured therapeutic environments
• Home-based services: Delivering in-home support to families and individuals
• Remote opportunities: Several organizations including BK Behavior Ventures offer teleheath positions for qualified BCBAs

Hawaii Behavioral Health employs BCBAs through contracts with the Hawaii Department of Education, Department of Health, and private insurance companies. These roles are available throughout Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Maui.

BCBAs in Hawaii can work way beyond traditional roles. Organizations want behavior analysts who know specialized approaches like Standard Celeration Charting, Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, PEAK curriculum, Analysis of Verbal Behavior, Precision Teaching, and Organizational Behavior Management. These advanced skills often lead to better pay and leadership roles.

The job market remains competitive because of limited accredited programs producing qualified candidates. BCBAs with expertise in trauma-informed care or autism spectrum disorders often have an advantage.

New professionals have several entry points into the field. ABC Group trains future Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), creating a path toward BCBA certification. Hawaii Behavioral Health and Step Ahead ABA also hire RBTs throughout Hawaii.

Behavioral health services are becoming more important in Hawaii. BCBAs can expect more career growth opportunities, especially in leadership roles at organizations focused on mental health and developmental disabilities. Your BCBA skills will likely stay valuable across the Hawaiian islands over the next several years.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in Hawaii offers promising growth potential through 2030. This piece outlines everything you need to know about entering this dynamic field – from getting your master’s degree to securing state licensure and finding work across the Hawaiian Islands.

Starting this experience takes real commitment. You’ll need to complete tough academic requirements, achieve supervised fieldwork hours, and pass the BCBA exam with its approximately 70% pass rate. Despite that, the professional benefits make it all worthwhile. Your financial prospects look bright, with average salaries hitting $92,546 yearly and experienced professionals earning more than $100,000.

The job market is diverse, with opportunities in schools, clinics, homes, and remote settings. Big names like BAYADA Home Health Care, Hawaii Behavioral Health, and ABC Group Hawaii look for qualified behavior analysts on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Hawaii’s rich multicultural environment creates a unique backdrop for behavior analysis practice. Your expertise will help communities with different needs while you enjoy the islands’ exceptional quality of life.

Becoming a BCBA may look daunting at first, but each step strengthens your professional expertise and credibility. Your work will impact clients and families who rely on qualified behavior analysts. With solid planning and determination, you can build a rewarding career in one of America’s most beautiful states.