How to Become a BCBA in New York

The BCBA exam in New York has a pass rate of just 60%. This challenging certification opens doors to a rewarding career in behavior analysis.

Becoming a BCBA in New York requires specific qualifications. You must have a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field and complete 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork. The job market looks promising for BCBAs, with an expected growth rate of 8% from 2020 to 2030. This rate substantially exceeds the average for other occupations.

New York takes a distinctive approach to BCBA certification. The state started licensing Applied Behavior Analysts in 2014 through the New York Chapter Laws. The state doesn’t maintain its own licensing board but recognizes the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification as the practice standard.

This piece covers everything you need to know about becoming a BCBA in New York. You’ll learn about education requirements, salary expectations and career opportunities. Let’s begin your journey to become a behavior analyst in the Empire State!

Education Requirements for New York BCBAs

Starting your trip to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in New York requires solid educational preparation. You will need careful planning and dedication to meet these requirements. The path combines both national certification and state licensure components.

A master’s degree or higher builds the foundation of your BCBA career in New York. Your degree should be in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field from an accredited institution. Programs should have recognition from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to make sure your coursework lines up with national expectations. Many New York schools offer programs that meet both BACB certification and New York State licensure requirements.

The coursework follows a specific structure. The Association for Behavior Analysis International requires all certification candidates to complete 27 credits of coursework. These credits must come from an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence or through the BACB’s Course Attestation System. Most programs take 1.5 to 2 years to complete with about 1,500 supervised hours.

Look for programs that meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Behavior Analyst under Subpart 79-17 of the New York State Commissioner’s Regulations. Graduates from these programs can then apply for both LBA and BCBA licensure.

Supervised fieldwork is a vital part of your training. You have two options to meet this requirement:

• Complete 2,000 total hours with at least 5% (100 hours) of direct supervision, or
• Complete 1,500 hours with at least 10% (150 hours) of supervision

Your supervision must include at least four contacts per month, each lasting 15 minutes or more. One observation with a client is required during every supervisory period. Half of your supervised hours must be spent one-on-one with a supervisor, while group supervision can fill the remaining time. At least 60% of your total fieldwork should focus on unrestricted activities like assessments and treatment planning instead of just direct therapy.

You can start collecting these hours after finding a qualified BCBA supervisor, signing a supervision contract, and beginning your graduate coursework. If you perform activities in New York to complete supervised experience requirements, you must get a graduate permit and work under a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst’s supervision.

Programs usually ask for a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. You’ll also need to submit two recommendation letters, write a personal statement about your professional goals, and talk with faculty members in an interview. Some schools know that success can’t be predicted by just one factor, so they welcome applications even if you don’t meet one requirement but show strength in other areas.

After finishing your education, you can choose between two paths to get licensed in New York. The standard licensing route requires you to submit Form 2 to certify your professional education. Another option came from changes to Education Law on November 22, 2022, letting you apply based on Behavior Analysis Certification Board certification through Pathway Two.

Becoming a BCBA in New York means completing a master’s program, supervised fieldwork, and getting both national certification and state licensure. This full preparation will give you the knowledge and skills to succeed in this growing field.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

You’ve finished your education and supervised fieldwork. Now comes the final challenge – getting your license and credentials to work as a behavior analyst in New York. Let me walk you through the steps.

New York differs from other states because it requires both BCBA certification and state licensure. Your BACB certification alone won’t let you practice – it’s just a stepping stone toward licensure.

The New York State Office of Professions handles the licensing process. You can choose between two paths:

• Pathway One (Standard Licensing Provisions): This traditional route needs an Application for Licensure (Form 1), a $300 licensure and registration fee, proof of education through a Certification of Professional Education (Form 2), verification of supervised experience via a Report of Professional Experience (Form 4), and a passing score on the BCBA exam.
• Pathway Two (Licensure Based on National Certification): Since November 22, 2022, this simpler option lets Board Certified Behavior Analyst® certification holders from BACB apply directly. You’ll submit Form 1 and have BACB verify your credentials through Form 3C.

Whatever path you take, you must train in Child Abuse and Maltreatment Identification and Reporting. You should be at least 21 years old and show good moral character as per Department standards.

The BCBA exam is a vital milestone in your career path. This detailed test checks your grasp of behavior analysis basics and applications. BACB offers helpful resources like the BCBA Handbook and instructional videos. The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts is most important since ethics make up a big part of the exam.

You can get a graduate permit if you want to start working while finishing your supervised hours or exam requirements. The permit costs $10 and lets you work under a New York State licensed behavior analyst’s supervision. These permits last three years from issue date. You’ll get a new permit at no cost if you switch supervisors.

State requirements are tricky to navigate. Meeting BACB standards is important but won’t automatically qualify you for New York licensure. The state’s Office of Professions has its own rules that sometimes differ from national ones. To name just one example, see how New York rules don’t allow licensure candidates to pay Licensed Behavior Analysts for supervision.

After getting licensed, you must keep your credentials current. This means completing continuing education and following BACB’s ethical guidelines. You’ll practice legally by staying up-to-date with state and BACB rules.

Keep detailed records of all experiences and supervision. Save supervision documents for at least seven years. BACB might ask for this information after you apply for certification.

Licensed BCBAs from other states can transfer their license to New York through a simpler process. You’ll submit an application for licensure by endorsement with proof of your current license and BCBA certification.

Follow these steps carefully and meet all requirements. Soon you’ll join other licensed behavior analysts working in New York State.

Salaries for BCBAs in New York

Getting your BCBA license in New York after completing the education requirements can lead to excellent pay. The investment in your education and certification is worth it. New York ranks among the top-paying states for behavior analysts across the country.

New York leads all states in BCBA salaries with professionals earning $101,642 per year. This beats California’s $95,115 and is a big deal as it means that the national average of $73,000-$85,000. These high salaries make New York a prime destination for behavior analysts looking to boost their income.

Your salary in New York depends on where you work. BCBAs with 10+ years of experience in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area earn median salaries of $113,570. Top professionals in this region can make up to $138,400 yearly. The Albany-Schenectady-Troy area offers median salaries of $103,900 for experienced analysts, while top earners receive $121,760.

Here’s what you can expect to earn in New York City based on your experience:

Source: Salary data from Glassdoor

New BCBAs in New York start with competitive salaries. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area offers entry-level positions starting at $38,210, with quick growth to $77,200 for those with some experience. Albany-Schenectady-Troy offers better starting salaries at $46,820, growing to $93,660 with minimal experience.

BCBAs in New York City can expect their salaries to grow from $63,034 to $167,393 as they gain experience. This clear growth path rewards professionals who develop their expertise over time.

Your salary depends on several key factors:

• Where you work in the state
• Your experience and specialty areas
• Your workplace (clinic, school, private practice)
• Local living costs

Travel positions offer another way to maximize your earnings. These roles pay $1,700-$2,500 weekly, adding up to $74,000-$95,000 yearly. Top performers can earn up to $132,500. This gives New York BCBAs flexibility to utilize their certification for better pay.

The job market in New York City remains strong through 2025. Most BCBAs earn between $81,000 and $99,000, with top positions paying up to $144,959.

BCBAs earn more than similar roles in the field. Assistant Behavior Analysts in New York City make $78,413 yearly, while Senior ABA Therapists earn $87,191. BCBA Managers receive around $86,519 annually. Specialized roles like Certified Analytics Professionals command higher pay at $135,495.

The path to becoming a BCBA in New York offers clear financial benefits. High demand combined with specialized skills creates excellent opportunities. Qualified behavior analysts can build rewarding careers with strong financial growth potential.

Careers in New York

New York’s job market welcomes Board Certified Behavior Analysts with open arms. The state offers countless ways to build an amazing career, thanks to its growing need for behavior analysis experts.

BCBAs in New York can choose from these career paths:

• Clinical Practice – ABA agencies and clinics need professionals who work with children with autism and developmental disabilities. You’ll assess patients, create intervention plans, and guide Registered Behavior Technicians. The pay is competitive at $80-$115 per hour.
• School-Based Positions – Manhattan alone has over 60 openings where you’ll team up with teachers to help special needs students. Your focus will be on behavioral assessments and staff training.
• Home Health Services – You can provide ABA therapy in natural settings to help clients master daily living and social skills. The schedule stays flexible.
• Supervisory Roles – As you gain experience, you can step into leadership positions like clinical director or program supervisor. You’ll shape service delivery and guide professional growth.
• Research and Advocacy – New York’s academic and nonprofit world needs people to advance ABA services and support underserved communities.
• Entrepreneurship – You can start your private practice once you get the Licensed Behavior Analyst credential. Just keep in mind there are complex rules to follow.

BCBAs share similar core duties no matter where they work. The job involves assessing challenges and creating therapy plans. Your daily tasks will include curricular assessments, behavior intervention planning, supervising ABA therapists and Registered Behavior Technicians, keeping client records, working on IEP goals, teaching families, and checking progress data.

The future looks great for BCBAs. The profession should grow about 8% between 2020 and 2030, which beats many other careers. This growth comes from more people recognizing how well Applied Behavior Analysis works, especially for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

LinkedIn shows almost 1,000 BCBA openings across New York. Jobs range from clinical supervisors to education behavior specialists. You can also explore roles in performance management, child welfare agencies, and organizational behavior.

Note that New York requires both BCBA certification and state licensure. This is different from some states where certification might be enough.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in New York offers both challenges and rewards. This piece outlines the detailed requirements you need to join this growing profession. The path starts with getting a master’s degree. You must complete supervised fieldwork and pass the certification exam, which has a 60% pass rate. New York’s approach stands out from other states because it needs both BACB certification and state licensure.

Salary is also a compelling reason to start a career. New York tops the list as the highest-paying state for BCBAs across the nation. Experienced professionals can earn well above $100,000. Your career can grow from entry-level positions to senior roles, no matter which part of the state you choose.

BCBAs find plenty of job opportunities across New York. The field needs qualified behavior analysts in clinical practice, schools, home health services, and research roles. The projected 8% growth rate through 2030 is higher than many other careers, which means job security and competitive pay.

Building a BCBA career in New York might look tough at first. Breaking down the process into clear steps makes it easier to handle – from education and supervised experience to examination and licensure. Each step helps you build skills that lead to success in this influential field.

This detailed guide gives you a clear path to become a behavior analyst in the Empire State. Your hard work to meet these requirements will lead to a rewarding career. You’ll help others while gaining professional respect and financial stability.