How to Become a BCBA in North Carolina
The path to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) takes 6 to 8 years of education and training. You’ll need to complete your bachelor’s degree, earn a master’s degree, and gain supervised experience.
The career outlook for BCBAs in North Carolina looks promising despite the dedication it requires. BCBAs are growing at a rate of 12%. We served people with autism spectrum disorder, which affects about 1 in 34 children in North Carolina, according to the CDC. North Carolina doesn’t require state-specific BCBA certification, but employers prefer professionals with BCBA or BCBA-D credentials to fill behavior analyst positions.
The BCBA exam is thorough with 185 multiple-choice questions that candidates must finish in 4 hours. You’ll need a scaled score of 420 or higher to pass. This testing process will give a solid foundation to qualified professionals entering this vital field.
This piece will guide you through the process of becoming a BCBA in North Carolina. We’ll cover education requirements, licensing, expected salaries, and career opportunities available in 2025.
Education Requirements for North Carolina BCBAs
Your path to become a BCBA in North Carolina begins with specific educational requirements. You must complete an academic pathway that prepares you for behavior analysis complexities to qualify for certification.
Graduate Degree Requirements
A master’s degree or higher in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field from an accredited institution is the life-blood of your BCBA preparation. Your graduate-level education should meet the standards set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
North Carolina gives you several ways to meet these educational requirements:
- Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis – Programs designed specifically for BCBA preparation, like those at UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington
- Master’s in Special Education with ABA Concentration – UNC Charlotte’s M.Ed. in Special Education and Child Development (33 credit hours) with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis serves as a great example
- Graduate Certificate in ABA – Available to those who already have a master’s degree in another field
Verified Course Sequence
Your education must have a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) verifies this set of courses to meet specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards. The VCS covers everything in:
- Ethical considerations
- Behavior assessment
- Intervention strategies
- Research methodology
UNC Charlotte’s VCS has seven courses that ABAI approves. These courses meet the BACB’s coursework requirements (5th Edition) for the BCBA examination.
Admission Requirements
Most North Carolina graduate programs in applied behavior analysis need:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Professional resume or CV
- Personal statement or essay describing your professional experience and objectives
- Letters of recommendation (typically three)
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions
Programs often prioritize applicants with a master’s degree in any related field. International students whose native language isn’t English must submit satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Online Education Options
North Carolina universities now offer fully online BCBA preparation programs. These programs help professionals balance work and education. They maintain the same standards as in-person options and include required VCS coursework.
Program Timeframes
UNC Charlotte’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis needs 21 credit hours. The full master’s program usually requires 33-36 credit hours. Students complete these programs in 2-3 years of part-time study.
Important Certification Changes
New coursework requirements for Pathway 2 applications for BCBA and BCaBA eligibility start January 1, 2027. Understanding these upcoming changes will help you plan your certification timeline better.
Beyond Coursework
Educational requirements mark just the beginning. You’ll need supervised experience and must pass the BCBA examination before applying for North Carolina licensure. Programs at UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington prepare you for the examination, but you must arrange supervised fieldwork experiences separately to meet all certification requirements.
Choosing an ABAI-accredited program with a verified course sequence will build a strong foundation for your BCBA career in North Carolina.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
After completing your education and supervised fieldwork, your next big step as a BCBA is to get your license in North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper signed the Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill (SB103) into law in May 2021. This happened after 10 years of advocacy and created the first North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board (NCBALB).
The NCBALB started taking applications for Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensure in July 2023. This was a game-changer for behavior analysts in the state. Licensed BCBAs can now work on their own without needing supervision from psychologists.
Application Process Overview
You’ll need to use the official licensure portal on the NCBALB website to get your license in North Carolina. New users should create a Licensure Gateway Account first. You can then sign in and start your application.
The application has these key requirements:
- Complete Application Form – You’ll find this on the NCBALB licensure portal
- Public Notice Statement – This needs to be part of your application
- Required Fees:
- $250.00 application fee for Behavior Analysts
- $14.00 for criminal history record check
- $200.00 application fee for Assistant Behavior Analysts (if applicable)
- Background Check Requirements:
- Fingerprint record card (you can get this from the Board office or local Sheriff’s office)
- Online background check through Castle Branch using package code “VN90”
- UK applicants must use package code “VN90UK”
- Professional References – Two people need to vouch for your character and professional conduct through the application portal
- Certification Verification – Show proof that your BCBA certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board is current
The fingerprint cards usually take at least 4 weeks to process. Plan ahead to avoid delays.
Document Checklist
The portal shows a checklist of items you still need after you submit your application. Items stay on your list until the Board office processes them.
You’ll need to upload:
- Your photo
- Authority to Release Information form
- Proof of current BCBA certification
The Board office works quickly to review and update all items. Your list gets updated once your references check out and your background check clears.
Interstate Practice Considerations
Moving to North Carolina with your BCBA certification from another state? The process is pretty simple. You need to:
- Keep your BACB certification active and in good standing
- Show proof of your current certification
- Complete North Carolina’s standard application process
North Carolina joins 35 other states that require behavior analyst licenses as of 2025. This makes it easier for qualified professionals to move between states.
You can practice anywhere in the state once you get your North Carolina behavior analyst license. BCBAs can also enroll in NCTracks after getting licensed, thanks to the addition of Behavior Analyst taxonomy (103K00000X).
Follow these steps and send in all your documents to become a licensed BCBA in North Carolina. Then you can start learning about career opportunities and what to expect for salary.
Salaries for BCBAs in North Carolina
Building your career as a BCBA in North Carolina? Let’s talk about what you can earn. The Tar Heel State pays its behavior analysts well, and your salary depends on a few key things.
The average annual salary for Board Certified Behavior Analysts in North Carolina sits between $75,000 and $80,000. Latest data from August 2025 shows the average has gone up to $80,952 yearly. This breaks down to $38.92 per hour, $1,556 weekly, or $6,746 monthly.
Your experience level makes a big difference in what you can earn. New BCBAs (0-2 years) usually start at $65,000-$72,000, while those with 3-5 years can make $75,000-$85,000. Once you’ve worked for 6+ years, you can earn $85,000-$95,000 or more. Clinical supervisors often make between $90,000-$110,000.
Where you work in North Carolina plays a vital role in your paycheck. Cities and areas that need more ABA services tend to pay better:
- Raleigh: The state capital’s healthcare scene helps BCBAs earn $78,000-$90,000
- Charlotte: With lots of clinics and school programs, BCBAs make about $75,000-$88,000
- Durham: The city’s academic and healthcare focus leads to pay between $76,000-$88,000
- Greensboro: More people need ABA therapy here, so pay ranges from $72,000-$85,000
- Wilmington: This smaller market offers $70,000-$80,000
Some experienced BCBAs earn much more than these averages. Take the Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area – BCBAs there report median salaries of $113,630, and top performers make up to $124,470. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia region pays experienced pros $108,870 median, with top earners reaching $121,310.
Durham-Chapel Hill shows different numbers. Experienced BCBAs earn a median of $61,070, but can reach $114,900 at the top end. These differences show why location matters so much for your career planning.
Starting salaries can vary a lot too. New BCBAs in the Piedmont area start at $80,520, while those in Charlotte begin at $26,480. This big gap shows how much your location affects your pay, especially early in your career.
Your BCBA earnings in North Carolina also depend on:
- Where you work (clinic, school, hospital, private practice)
- Your specialty areas
- Extra certifications or advanced degrees
- Whether you supervise others
- If you’re self-employed or work for someone else
The BCBA field in North Carolina offers great money-making potential. The state’s lower living costs compared to California or New York make these salaries even more attractive. You can definitely hit six figures, especially in supervisor or clinical director roles, if you combine the right experience, location, and specialty.
Careers in North Carolina
The BCBA job market in North Carolina has taken off like never before. This creates amazing opportunities for qualified professionals. The numbers tell the story – behavior analyst jobs across the United States grew by a remarkable 5,852% in the last 12 years. What started as 789 jobs in 2010 jumped to 46,960 positions by 2021.
Job Market and Growth Opportunities
North Carolina’s growth in this field has been incredible. The state saw a 44% increase in behavior analyst demand from 2020 to 2021 alone. This upward trend continues with BCBA demand climbing 73% in 2023. BCaBA positions have seen even more dramatic growth. North Carolina ranks among the fastest-growing states with an amazing 286% increase in job postings.
Here’s what’s driving this huge demand:
- More autism diagnoses across the state
- Better understanding of early intervention’s importance
- Better insurance coverage for ABA therapy
- Growing acceptance of behavior analysis in schools
Even with this growth, North Carolina doesn’t have enough qualified professionals. Many people, especially children with autism and related disorders, need specialized behavioral help right away. Becoming a BCBA in North Carolina lets you help others while enjoying great job security.
After certification, you’ll find many career paths open to you. North Carolina’s BCBAs often work as:
- Independent behavior analytic service providers
- Supervisors for Registered Behavior Technicians or BCaBAs
- School-based specialists helping students with behavior challenges
- In-home or community-based providers
- Clinical directors or program managers at ABA centers
UNC Charlotte’s BCBA graduates work in even more roles. They become school psychologists, mental health and substance abuse social workers, special education teachers, and occupational health specialists.
The main job hubs include Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Wilmington. Each city brings something special:
- Charlotte: Strong healthcare sector with many ABA clinics and salaries up to $102,400
- Raleigh: Research Triangle location mixes healthcare and tech jobs
- Greensboro: Growing behavioral health services need more BCBAs
- Wilmington: Special roles in early and advanced learner programs
Remote work has really taken off across North Carolina. Cities like Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte now have lots of remote BCBA positions. This gives you more flexibility to balance work and life.
Success in this field takes more than just certification. Great BCBAs know ABA therapy principles inside and out. They communicate well and know how to use telehealth tools. Problem-solving, time management, and building strong family relationships lead to better outcomes.
Now is the perfect time to become a BCBA in North Carolina. The state focuses on quality autism care and keeps expanding behavioral health services. This makes North Carolina perfect for growing your career in this rewarding field.
Next Steps
Starting a career as a BCBA in North Carolina is both challenging and rewarding. This piece walks you through the path to certification – from education needs to getting your license and finding job opportunities. You’ll need 6-8 years of education and training to succeed in this fast-growing field.
North Carolina offers great opportunities to build your BCBA career. The state created its Behavior Analyst Licensure Board in 2021. Now you can work on your own without a psychologist’s supervision once you get the right credentials. This has deepened behavior analysts’ professional standing all over the state.
The money looks good too. You can expect to earn between $75,000 and $80,000 a year, which goes far given North Carolina’s cost of living. Your earnings can grow even more based on your experience, specialty, and where you work in the state.
The job market for BCBAs in North Carolina is booming. A 73% jump in job openings during 2023 shows how badly qualified professionals are needed. This means plenty of jobs in settings of all types – from clinical centers and schools to hospitals and private practices.
Becoming a BCBA takes hard work and commitment. But the mix of good pay, job security, and meaningful work with autism patients and related disorders makes it worth the effort. This guide gives you the steps to join this vital profession and make a real difference in North Carolina residents’ lives.