How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Missouri

How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Missouri

Do you want to know about becoming a board certified behavior analyst? The Kansas City area will see an 18% employment growth for BCBAs over the next decade. This career path in Missouri looks promising.

A BCBA in Kansas City earns a median annual salary of $88,623, which beats the national average. The path to certification can be tough – only 60% of candidates pass the BCBA exam. This shows how challenging the certification process can be.

Many people ask about becoming a board certified assistant behavior analyst or want to learn about BCBA requirements. Missouri’s first licensing structure for behavior analysts came through House Bill 1311 in 2010. On top of that, the state expects 7,270 job openings for behavioral and mental health professionals from 2022 to 2032.

 

This complete guide shows you the education requirements, licensure process, salary expectations, and career opportunities for BCBAs in Missouri. You’ll find everything needed to start a rewarding career in behavioral analysis.

Education Requirements for Missouri BCBAs

Getting your Board certified Behavior Analyst certification in Missouri starts with the right education. The state adheres to guidelines from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), a 20-year-old organization that sets national certification standards.

A master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field serves as your starting point to qualify for BCBA certification. Several Missouri universities now offer specialized programs that meet these requirements.

Master’s Degree Requirements

Your master’s program should have coursework that matches BACB standards. Most accredited Missouri programs need 36-40 credit hours of graduate-level study. The University of Missouri’s Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis needs 36 semester credit hours. The University of Missouri-St. Louis runs a 40-credit hour graduate program that students complete in two years.

These programs meet all educational requirements you need for BCBA certification eligibility. Many Missouri schools have earned approval from the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), which confirms their curriculum’s quality.

Coursework Components

BACB mandates specific content areas in your graduate-level coursework. The curriculum has:

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

Students learn theoretical foundations and practical knowledge they need to apply behavior analysis principles in clinical settings. Most programs require a thesis to develop research skills. The University of Missouri’s students must complete 6 thesis credit hours and work directly with faculty on empirical research.

Supervised Experience Requirements

Certification requires supervised fieldwork alongside formal education. BACB accepts two experience categories:

  1. Supervised fieldwork (2,000 hours), or
  2. Concentrated supervised fieldwork (1,500 hours)

You’ll need 75 hours of supervision from a qualified BCBA. Universities often build this requirement into their programs through practicum experiences. The University of Missouri’s program requires 9 credit hours of supervised practicum, which gives students hands-on experience in clinics, hospitals, telehealth services, and schools.

University Options

Missouri’s universities offer several BCBA educational paths:

  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Missouri State University (39-hour program over two years)
  • University of Central Missouri
  • Saint Louis University
  • Lindenwood University

Each school sets its own admission criteria. Most require a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Some programs need prerequisites in psychology or related fields.

Alternative Pathways

Students with master’s or doctoral degrees can complete behavior analysis coursework through ABAI Verified Course Sequences at many Missouri universities. These certificate programs help satisfy coursework requirements without pursuing another degree.

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification needs fewer requirements but follows a similar structure. BCaBA candidates need a bachelor’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or related fields, plus specific coursework and supervised experience. The University of Central Missouri and Central Methodist University offer BCaBA certification programs.

Choosing an accredited program that meets these educational requirements helps build your foundation for BCBA certification and Missouri licensure.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

You need proper licensure and credentials to practice legally in Missouri after completing your education and supervised experience requirements. Missouri has a 13-year old licensing structure for behavior analysts that works effectively.

License Types and Requirements

Missouri’s Behavior Analyst Advisory Board, operating under the Division of Professional Registration, provides several license classifications based on qualification levels:

  • Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) – Full practicing license requiring BCBA certification
  • Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LaBA) – Requires BCaBA certification and supervision
  • Provisionally Licensed Behavior Analyst (PLBA) – For those meeting requirements except certification
  • Provisionally Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (PLABA) – Assistant level provisional license
  • Temporary Licensed Behavior Analyst (TLBA) – 90-day temporary authorization
  • Temporary Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (TLaBA) – Assistant level temporary license
 

Each license type matches different career stages and creates multiple entry points into the profession based on your qualifications.

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is required to get full licensure as a behavior analyst. Assistant behavior analyst licensure needs the BCaBA credential.

MOPRO, Missouri’s new professional licensure system, will handle all license applications and renewals from January 2025. The system gives you 24/7 access to your licensing information, application status, renewal deadlines, and continuing education tracking.

Application Process

Your behavior analyst license application in Missouri must include:

  1. A completed application form through the MOPRO system
  2. Required application fee
  3. A passport-style photograph taken within six months of application
  4. Two sets of fingerprints for criminal background checks
  5. Proof of BCBA certification
  6. Evidence of active status as a board certified behavior analyst
  7. Verification forms from any states where you currently hold a license

Every applicant needs to complete at least two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training. This requirement applies to both original licensure and renewals since August 2018.

Special Considerations

A provisional license might be right for you if you meet all educational and supervised experience requirements but haven’t received BCBA certification yet. This lets you practice under supervision while working toward certification. Provisional licenses last one year with one renewal option.

The state offers 90-day temporary licenses to out-of-state behavior analysts during full application processing. Military spouses with valid licenses from other states can get accelerated temporary licenses.

Assistant behavior analysts must work under a licensed behavior analyst’s supervision. This supervision includes treatment plan consultation and regular face-to-face meetings.

License Renewal

Your Missouri behavior analyst license needs renewal every two years. The requirements include:

  1. Current BACB certification
  2. Two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training each renewal cycle
  3. Renewal application and fees through the MOPRO system

BACB certification renewal usually needs 32 continuing education units every two years, with 4 hours minimum of ethics training.

These steps help you practice legally as a behavior analyst in Missouri and open doors to jobs across the state.

Salaries for BCBAs in Missouri

Getting paid what you’re worth matters a lot when you want to become a BCBA in Missouri. You need to know what others earn to plan your career path while you work toward certification.

The numbers tell an interesting story. BCBAs in Missouri earn about $83,553 per year as of August 2025. This works out to $40.17 per hour, $1,606 weekly, or $6,962 monthly. ZipRecruiter shows salaries start at $44,555 and can go up to $139,763 across the state.

Most BCBA jobs in Missouri pay between $69,400 (25th percentile) and $84,900 (75th percentile). Top performers (90th percentile) earn $124,285 yearly. This $15,500 range shows you have plenty of room to grow based on your skills, where you work, and your experience.

Your experience makes a big difference in what you earn. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that experienced BCBAs in Missouri can make up to $104,940 per year. Here’s how the pay varies between newcomers and veterans:

St. Louis Region (May 2021 data):

  • Entry-level (10th percentile): $46,760
  • Early career (25th percentile): $93,480
  • Mid-career (50th percentile): $104,940
  • Experienced (75th percentile): $112,170
  • Highly experienced (90th percentile): $121,530

Kansas City Region (May 2021 data):

  • Entry-level (10th percentile): $46,590
  • Early career (25th percentile): $93,080
  • Mid-career (50th percentile): $102,380
  • Experienced (75th percentile): $114,800
  • Highly experienced (90th percentile): $120,990

Where you work in Missouri affects your salary. Urban areas tend to pay more than rural ones because of higher living costs and more demand. Here are the best-paying cities for BCBAs in Missouri:

  1. Chesterfield: $88,162 annually ($42.39 hourly)
  2. Grandview: $87,457 annually ($42.05 hourly)
  3. Lee’s Summit: $86,669 annually ($41.67 hourly)
  4. Saint Louis: $86,601 annually ($41.64 hourly)
  5. Joseph: $86,076 annually ($41.38 hourly)
 

Your certification level shapes what you can earn in behavior analysis. The 2023 Payscale data shows these national salary averages:

  • Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs): $36,763
  • Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs): $54,274
  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs): $69,788

ZipRecruiter reports the national BCBA average at $85,571 as of July 2023. Missouri sits slightly below this figure. The state ranks 50th for BCBA salaries, but the lower cost of living here makes these salaries quite attractive.

Several things can boost your salary in Missouri:

  • Education level (master’s vs. doctorate)
  • Work setting (schools, clinics, hospitals, private practice)
  • Specialization areas
  • Leadership responsibilities
  • Industry sector (healthcare, education, research)

Some related roles pay even better than standard BCBA positions. Certified Analytics Professional roles earn about 39% more, reaching $116,170 yearly. Clinical Behavior Analyst positions pay $77,659 annually, while Chairperson Board of Directors roles offer $90,092.

Missouri might rank last in nationwide BCBA salaries, but the field still pays well. You can earn more as you build experience and develop specialized skills.

Careers in Missouri

The job market for Board Certified Behavior Analysts in Missouri keeps growing faster, and new practitioners have many professional paths to choose from. Kansas City’s BCBA employment alone projects an 18% growth over the next decade. This shows the strong need for these specialized professionals.

Missouri’s behavioral health sector keeps expanding. The state expects 7,270 job openings for behavioral and mental health professionals from 2022 to 2032. BCBAs and BCaBAs can find many entry-level positions throughout the state.

St. Louis and Kansas City are the main employment hubs with the highest number of BCBA positions. Rural areas have fewer positions but face professional shortages. This creates a great chance for behavior analysts who want to help these communities.

BCBAs in Missouri work in several settings:

  • Clinical Centers: Private practices and specialized autism clinics are major employers that offer good salaries and direct work with clients.
  • Educational Institutions: More school districts now hire behavior analysts to create intervention plans for students with behavioral challenges.
  • Healthcare Systems: Hospitals and psychiatric facilities need BCBAs to help various patient populations with behavioral conditions.
  • Home-Based Services: Many BCBAs work with children who have autism spectrum disorders in their homes.
  • Research Institutions: Universities and research facilities employ behavior analysts to advance the field through clinical studies.

Many Missouri BCBAs start their own private practices or consulting firms after getting several years of supervised experience. Right now, about 20% of Missouri’s BCBAs work as independent practitioners or consultants.

Missouri offers several new career paths for specialists. Telehealth services have grown a lot, creating opportunities for remote behavioral intervention. Corporate settings also need organizational behavior management experts, which gives an alternative to clinical work.

Missouri’s job outlook for BCBAs looks better than many other professions. The field grows 11% faster than the state average for all jobs, which means long-term stability.

BCaBAs can advance their careers through Missouri’s strong educational system. Many employers help assistant behavior analysts get their full BCBA certification by offering tuition support. They know the value of developing talent from within.

Learning how to become a board certified behavior analyst or board certified assistant behavior analyst in Missouri opens doors to a growing field. This career path offers good mobility and long-term professional stability.

Next Steps

A career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Missouri can lead to great professional growth. You need a master’s degree with specialized coursework and supervised experience hours. The state’s 10-year-old licensing structure and BACB certification are key requirements to practice.

BCBAs in Missouri earn competitive salaries. Kansas City offers a median annual salary of $88,623, which is below the national average but matches well with local living costs. Your earnings will definitely grow as you gain experience and add specialized skills.

The job market for behavior analysts keeps expanding faster in Missouri. The projected 18% employment growth over the next decade will give you long-term job security. You can work in clinical centers, educational institutions, healthcare systems, or start your own practice. Rural areas need qualified professionals badly, which creates great opportunities if you want to serve these communities.

Getting BCBA certification takes dedication and persistence. The certification process is challenging, with a 60% average pass rate for the BCBA exam. This really prepares you for professional practice. Once certified, you’ll help change clients’ lives while building a stable career with room to grow.

Missouri’s reliable educational system supports your advancement at every stage. You can start as a Registered Behavior Technician and work your way up to become a licensed BCBA. Each step builds expertise and increases your value in this growing field. This piece gives you the information you need to build a successful career as a behavior analyst in Missouri.