11 Must-Know ABA Organizations for Professional Growth

Understanding ABA organizations is vital for your professional development. The field keeps changing and experts continue to find more about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Learning doesn’t stop even after you pass your BACB exam.

Professional ABA organizations can affect your career path by a lot, whether you’re new to behavior analysis or an experienced professional. These associations are a great way to get networking events, continuing education opportunities, advocacy support, and regional ABA conferences. These organizations also serve different purposes. Some act as certifying bodies that handle individual practitioner credentials, while others focus on advancing the industry through education and training. You should know about these organizations as you plan your professional growth.

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is the main organization in behavior analysis. This organization has led certification efforts over the last several years. The 25-year old nonprofit corporation plays a significant regulatory role by setting professional standards, giving examinations, and providing ethics requirements for behavior analysts.

BACB Overview

The BACB’s main goal protects consumers of behavior-analytic services through systematic development and promotion of professional practice standards. Their certification programs received accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This recognition shows their steadfast dedication to high-quality standards that ensure public welfare and safety. Right now, the BACB accepts certification applications from people who live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Key Offerings

The BACB has three main certification levels:

• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT): A paraprofessional certification for those implementing behavior-analytic services under close supervision
• Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA): An undergraduate-level certification that needs supervision from a BCBA
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): A graduate-level certification that allows independent practice

BCBAs with doctoral training can apply for the BCBA-D designation. This designation doesn’t give additional privileges beyond BCBA certification.

The BCBA examination has 175 scored questions and 10 unscored pilot questions. The test has sections covering nine domains. Most questions focus on Behavior-Change Procedures (14%), Concepts and Principles (14%), and Ethical and Professional Issues (13%).

Membership and Certification

BCBA certification holders must complete 32 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. Starting January 1, 2024, coursework submitted for certification applications will expire after 10 years. This ensures all certificants maintain current knowledge.

The BACB created specific pathways to certification. These include graduate-level education, supervised fieldwork experience, and passing the certification examination.

Why Join?

Some significant changes came in 2025 that make the BACB especially important:

The BCBA and BCaBA examinations will follow the new 6th Edition Test Content Outline (TCO) from January 1, 2025. People used to call this the Task List. This update cuts down on redundancies while keeping the same number of exam questions.

The BACB’s stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirements has changed. DEI topics will merge into the broader Ethics CEU category by March 2025. Content on cultural and contextual responsiveness now links to behavior-analytic literature.

The BACB made fieldwork requirements clearer in August 2025. Activities must now develop hands-on behavior-analytic skills through direct client work.

Anyone pursuing or maintaining behavior analyst certification should stay connected with the BACB.

Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has served as the main membership organization for professionals interested in the philosophy, science, application, and teaching of behavior analysis since 1974. This organization differs from certification bodies by focusing on moving the field forward through education, research, and community building.

ABAI Overview

This nonprofit organization follows a clear mission to help society’s well-being. ABAI develops and supports behavior analysis science through research, education, and practice. The organization connects over 6,400 members worldwide and serves as the central hub for behavior analysis professionals. Their strategic plan focuses on making behavior analysis stronger, creating connections with other disciplines, and promoting diversity within the field.

Key Offerings

ABAI’s core services include:

• Accreditation Programs: The organization sets and implements standards for educational programs in behavior analysis. These accredited programs have met BACB’s degree and coursework requirements since January 2022.
• Publications: Members get Perspectives on Behavior Science and Inside Behavior Analysis newsletters, plus reduced rates for other scholarly journals.
• Learning Resources: Members can use the Learning Center’s online educational content. This includes presentations from ABAI events, journal articles, podcasts, and continuing education opportunities with 10 free CEs each membership cycle.
• Professional Support: Members receive job placement services, networking opportunities, and up to 20% off on professional liability insurance.

Membership and Events

Membership runs yearly from September 1 to August 31, with different tiers: Full, Affiliate, Student, and Chapter/Adjunct. Full members can vote on organizational matters, while all members get event discounts.

The organization hosts three major yearly events: the Annual Convention, the Annual Autism Conference, and an International Conference.

Why Join?

ABAI has strengthened its steadfast dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through several programs. The organization’s new DEI Board creates policies that promote inclusion throughout the organization. The 2025 program showcased 70 presentations with diversity designations and brought together registrants from 56 countries and presenters from 50 nations.

ABAI celebrates diverse scholars through the Distinguished Contributions to DEI Award and the Scholarly Contributions to DEI Paper Competition. The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA), ABAI’s charitable partner, provides grants that support DEI-focused research.

The behavior analysis field continues to grow, and ABAI maintains its focus on developing inclusive practices that are available to more people, even as political and economic pressures affect DEI commitments nationwide.

Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)

The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts leads the ABA profession by supporting practitioners and advancing policies. This 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization protects both practitioners and consumers while promoting science-based behavior analysis practice.

APBA Overview

The organization’s mission goes beyond individual certification to cover professional development. APBA promotes public policies that support behavior analysts and informs stakeholders about best practices. The organization also protects practitioners’ and service recipients’ interests. APBA cooperates with government entities and third-party organizations to improve recognition of credentialed behavior analysts and service access.

Key Offerings

Members can access several valuable resources to grow professionally:

• Monthly ethics chats that provide free BACB ethics CEUs
• Monthly journal clubs with research authors that offer learning CEUs
• Quarterly diversity, equity, and inclusion webinars
• Discounted professional liability insurance through group rates
• Annual leadership conference with member discounts

Members also receive publication discounts. These include 25% off books from Springer Publishing, 15% off ABA texts from Sloan Publishing, and reduced rates for professional journals.

Membership Options

APBA’s individual membership spans multiple categories that fit different professional roles:

Professional Class

• PhD/Masters Level: $100 annually with voting privileges
• Bachelors Level: $70 annually with voting privileges
• Professional Behavior Technician: $35 annually for high-school diploma holders working under supervision

Additional Categories

• Related Professional Member: $90 annually for allied professionals
• Student/Trainee Member: $35 annually for degree program students
• Supporting Member: $40 annually for service recipients, caregivers, and retired professionals

New BCBAs and BCaBAs receive an 80% discount in their first year.

Why Join?

APBA’s 15th Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas celebrated the theme “Shine” and drew over 1,000 ABA professionals worldwide through a hybrid format. Attendee satisfaction soared with 94% reporting satisfied to very satisfied experiences. The event featured expanded networking opportunities and launched the Dr. Elizabeth Hughes Fong Memorial Lecture.

APBA will host its 2026 convention in New Orleans from March 12-14, continuing its commitment to professional development and community building.

Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)

The Council of Autism Service Providers, an 8-year old non-profit trade association, dedicates its work to supporting autism service providers. The organization has grown into a powerful voice for the autism provider community with nearly 400 organizational members across all 50 states and several countries.

CASP Overview

CASP stands as the leading voice for the autism provider community. The organization serves more than 50,000 individuals with autism and manages combined revenues close to $1 billion. The organization started in 2015 after identifying collaborative needs during the 2009 Council on Autism Services Conference. CASP wants to promote quality, evidence-based autism services through standardization, support, and professional development.

Key Offerings

CASP provides these valuable resources to autism service providers:

• ABA Practice Guidelines: The third edition came out in April 2024 and serves as the industry standard for ABA implementation. This detailed resource covers assessment protocols, treatment planning, staffing models, and healthcare funding considerations.
• Organizational Guidelines: These help with business operations, clinical practices, and risk management strategies for autism service organizations.
• Telehealth Practice Parameters: Free guidance about telehealth implementation, client prerequisites, technology considerations, and treatment monitoring.
• Insurance Navigation Support: Resources that help with appealing insurance claim denials, understanding federal parity laws, and navigating health insurance requirements.

Membership and Access

Organizations must show their steadfast dedication to evidence-based autism services to become members. The core team must be qualified providers who use research-supported interventions based on peer-reviewed literature and objective data. Membership dues for 2025 range from $2,122 for organizations with annual revenue under $5 million to $10,609 for those exceeding $30 million.

Why Join?

CASP continues to shape the industry through several important initiatives. The organization released version 3.0 of its ABA Practice Guidelines, which experts call “the gold standard for our industry”. The Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), CASP’s independent accreditation program, works to improve service quality and outcomes. CASP participates in federal and state advocacy efforts to magnify provider voices in policy discussions and ensure autism service providers have a place in relevant legislation.

Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE)

BHCOE stands out as the only ABA-specific accreditation body that reviews organizations against strict clinical and operational quality standards. While other ABA organizations focus on individual certification or advocacy, BHCOE takes a broader approach by reviewing entire ABA provider organizations to meet quality standards.

BHCOE Overview

BHCOE, an Accredited Standards Developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), upholds complete standards for ABA service delivery. The organization acts as a neutral body that ensures all ABA stakeholders have a voice in setting quality measures. They grant accreditation to ABA providers ranging from new start-ups to large multi-state organizations. Their mission focuses on protecting parents and individuals with autism by ensuring they can access quality ABA services.

Accreditation Services

BHCOE provides different types of accreditation based on what organizations need:

• Full Accreditation: Reviews an organization’s overall ABA service delivery practices based on BHCOE Standards of Excellence
• Training Site Accreditation: Available as an add-on for organizations that provide training and fieldwork experience
• Telehealth Accreditation: Reviews an organization’s ABA telehealth service delivery practices

The accreditation process includes detailed interviews, policy reviews, formal site visits, and stakeholder surveys. Organizations can access preparation resources through the BHCOE Learning Hub after signing their engagement letter.

Membership and Recognition

BHCOE’s accredited status brings remarkable benefits to organizations. Data shows these providers have lower turnover rates – 5.1% for RBTs, 8.5% for Clinical Directors, and 12.5% for Supervisor/BCBAs. On top of that, 97% of parents whose children received ABA therapy from BHCOE-accredited organizations saw major improvements within six months of treatment.

Members get access to valuable resources such as:

• ListServ community to collaborate with ABA leadership
• BHCOE Learning Hub with on-demand continuing education and free CEUs
• Data support for insurance negotiations

Why Join?

BHCOE has updated their Standards of Excellence with 201 new standards that take effect April 1, 2025. Starting June 1, 2025, all organizations must work toward meeting these new standards, including those reviewed under 2022 standards. These standards span 11 sections covering clinical, professional, and ethical practices.

BHCOE’s compliance, disciplinary review, and appeal process treats both complainants and accredited organizations fairly. This oversight system helps organizations establish compliance rather than just imposing penalties.

ABA Coding Coalition

The ABA Coding Coalition started in 2019 as a focused group that works on billing codes for applied behavior analysis services. This specialized mission sets it apart from other professional organizations and makes it crucial for ABA practitioners who handle insurance reimbursements.

ABA Coding Coalition Overview

Representatives from major organizations created the Coalition to manage the CPT® code set for adaptive behavior (applied behavior analysis) services that became effective January 1, 2019. The group evolved from work that created eight Category I and two modified Category III CPT® codes, which replaced the temporary codes from 2014. The Coalition has four main goals: supporting the 2019 CPT® code set implementation, monitoring Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs), teaching service providers about coding processes, and maintaining an information repository.

Key Resources

ABA practitioners can find these valuable tools from the Coalition:

• Supplemental Guidance Documents – Detailed articles that explain code implementation with clinical examples and vignettes
• Telehealth Adaptations – Resources showing how the 2019 code set works with remote services
• CPT® Assistant Article – Access to the original November 2018 newsletter article written by the AMA
• Model Coverage Policy – Guidelines that help develop payer policies for ABA service codes

Membership

The Coalition has representatives from four major ABA organizations:

• Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)
• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
• Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)
• Autism Speaks

The original Coalition included consultants who helped develop the code applications.

Why Join?

The Coalition’s work continues to be important as new developments unfold. CMS has extended provisional telehealth coverage for ABA CPT codes through 2025, which covers assessments, treatment, and intensive behavioral services. The Coalition announced that the American Medical Association CPT® Editorial Panel approved a code change application in September 2025. The AMA will release specific details later, but the approved changes include six new CPT codes, updates to codes 97151-97158, revised guidelines, and removal of existing T codes—all taking effect January 1, 2027.

ABA Ethics Hotline

Behavior analysts often face ethical challenges in their practice. The ABA Ethics Hotline stands out among ABA organizations by providing targeted ethical consultation instead of broad professional development or certification.

ABA Ethics Hotline Overview

Launched in October 2018, the ABA Ethics Hotline guides practitioners through complex ethical dilemmas they face in their daily practice. This platform connects practitioners with experienced, trusted BCBAs who share their expertise. The service focuses on ethical advice about good behavior and conduct, not legal advice about laws and regulations. The platform’s value shows in its over 10,000 page views since its launch.

Hotline Services

A panel of ethics experts provides direct guidance to behavior analysts through the hotline. Practitioners can submit specific questions and get targeted advice when they face ethical uncertainties. Many clinicians ask about proper approaches to ethical dilemmas or seek validation from an “ethicist”. BCBAs and RBTs can learn from others’ experience in meaningful ways. The service comes “as is” without warranties about the completeness or accuracy of information.

Hotline Access

The website’s user-friendly interface makes ethical guidance easily accessible. Specific Terms of Service outline what advice users can expect. Users must take responsibility for their actions and should use the advice to supplement their professional judgment rather than follow it blindly.

Why Join?

Ethical considerations keep evolving with practice standards. The ABA Ethics Hotline helps practitioners navigate complex professional situations. Other ABA professional organizations focus on broad educational initiatives or regulatory frameworks, but this service tackles immediate ethical challenges practitioners face daily. The hotline adds practical guidance to formal ethics requirements from certification bodies and helps with ground application.

National Coalition for Access to Autism Services (NCAAS)

The National Coalition for Access to Autism Services stands out as a vital force among ABA organizations that drive policy change. They protect service availability if you have autism spectrum disorder.

NCAAS Overview

NCAAS champions preserving and expanding access to essential services that help people with autism reach their full potential. The coalition speaks for leading autism treatment providers across the country and fights for their interests and the families they serve. Their mission focuses on making services accessible to people from every background and region.

Advocacy and Policy Work

The coalition cooperates with legislative bodies, government agencies, insurance providers, and regulatory organizations to shape autism treatment policies. They want to eliminate barriers to care and create sustainable service models. The coalition ensures experienced providers who understand real-world challenges help shape decisions about autism services.

Membership

NCAAS member organizations serve tens of thousands of families affected by autism spectrum disorder. These providers work in almost every state and build relationships with funding sources of all types. Their partners include commercial insurance companies, TRICARE, Medicaid programs, CHIP initiatives, and school districts. The coalition represents much of the autism service delivery network in the United States.

Why Join?

NCAAS tackles critical access problems that affect both service providers and recipients. The coalition’s advocacy work remains vital to maintain service availability, especially with current healthcare policy and insurance reimbursement challenges. Smaller providers gain a stronger voice in the ABA professional community through their unified approach.

Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA)

Women in Behavior Analysis champions gender equity in the behavior analysis community and stands out among ABA organizations. The first WIBA conference began in 2017. It created a platform that showcases women’s achievements and offers mentorship opportunities.

WIBA Overview

WIBA’s mission equips and celebrates women behavior analysts while bringing all genders together to discuss gender equality. The organization serves as both a professional association and community builder for women in behavior analysis. WIBA emerged in part because of recognition gaps. By 2016, women made up 88% of behavior analysis certificants, yet they received only 17.2% of later career awards.

Key Initiatives

WIBA’s crowning achievement came with its Hall of Fame in 2021, which honors trailblazing women in behavior analysis. This initiative helps current practitioners learn about female pioneers who shaped the field. The organization shows its dedication to diversity through blind speaker reviews, fair speaker compensation, and carefully chosen conference locations.

Membership and Events

WIBA’s conference usually takes place in July as a hybrid event. It offers pre-conference workshops and sessions that feature prominent women in the field. Members get valuable one-on-one time with field leaders during 15-20 minute guidance sessions. After the conference, participants can access recordings and continuing education units for a full year.

Why Join?

WIBA continues to prioritize gender equity and empowerment in ABA practices. The hybrid conference makes participation possible either in-person or virtually with leading female voices. The organization stays true to its mission of creating an inclusive space that welcomes people of all genders, identities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Black Association of Behavior Analysts (BABA)

The Black Association of Behavior Analysts stands as a powerful voice among ABA professional organizations. It creates community by promoting, educating, and strengthening people across all aspects of the Black experience in behavior analysis.

BABA Overview

Black behavior analysts created BABA to serve as the premier hub for their global community. The organization works to remove barriers for people of African descent in applied behavior analysis. BABA goes beyond basic diversity initiatives. It strives for true liberation that recognizes Black people’s full humanity, dignity, and power, along with all oppressed communities.

Community and Resources

BABA’s professional development opportunities come through several key initiatives. Members receive access to scholarships, continuing education units, mentorship programs, and specialized study groups. The annual conference celebrates and uplifts Black voices and research in the field. BABA creates a relaxed community where Black professionals find support, encouragement, and chances to advance their careers.

Membership

Members enjoy many benefits. These include conference and event discounts, CEUs, awards, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities. They can also take on leadership roles within the organization. BABA welcomes people from all backgrounds – behavior analysts, behavior technicians, parents, consultants, and advocates alike.

Why Join?

BABA’s dedication to equity-centered frameworks continues, even as certification requirements change. Members can access CEUs focused on liberation, justice, and culturally responsive practice. The organization remains firm against any weakening of DEI principles in the field.

The Daily BA

The Daily BA stands out from other ABA organizations as an innovative media platform. It makes behavior analysis available through digital content. Ryan O’Donnell (Ryan O or RYANO) started this platform to connect behavior science with wider audiences.

The Daily BA Overview

The Daily BA started as a personal experiment to test if someone could create engaging behavior analytic content regularly. Ryan O’Donnell has an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and expanded his expertise into entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, podcasting, and filmmaking. This digital nomad launched three businesses and created a behavioral think-tank while building The Daily BA.

Content and Community

The platform’s content streams include “The Controversial Exchange” podcast that tackles challenging conversations about human behavior. Building community sits at the heart of The Daily BA’s mission. It promotes connections between behavior analysts worldwide. O’Donnell wants to build “a community of thought leaders and doers” to increase behavior analytic technologies’ transparency.

Access and Support

The Daily BA uses a values-based subscription model on Patreon with different membership tiers for professionals (RBTs, BCBAs, BCaBAs) and organizations. The channel’s maintenance costs reached about $19,000 yearly without paying the founder.

Why Join?

The Daily BA serves as a crucial resource for behavior analysts who want innovative viewpoints and community connections. It helps professionals grow beyond traditional organizational structures by connecting them across digital platforms.

Find the Right ABA Organization Today

The right ABA organizations will improve your professional growth. This guide outlines twelve key organizations that support everything in your career development. They help with certification, continuing education, advocacy, ethical guidance, and community support.

Best practices, ethical standards, and regulatory changes in behavior analysis are changing faster than ever. These organizations keep you updated while offering great networking opportunities that lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement.

BACB and ABAI give new certified behavior analysts the basic resources to maintain credentials and expand their knowledge. Groups like WIBA and BABA create communities where you can connect with others who share your views and experiences.

Without doubt, provider-focused organizations like CASP, BHCOE, and the ABA Coding Coalition give practical tools that affect your daily practice. Their advocacy helps create green service models and proper reimbursement structures.

Your career goals should determine which organizations you join. Some professionals benefit from the ABA Ethics Hotline’s guidance, while others need evidence-based resources from NPDC or fresh views from The Daily BA.

These memberships mean more than just professional development – they show your steadfast dedication to excellence in behavior analysis. Active participation helps advance the field and builds your professional reputation.

Applied behavior analysis will definitely keep changing through the years. These organizations remain vital pillars that support your growth and the broader ABA community. Whether you need to maintain certification, get specialized training, or connect with like-minded professionals, these twelve organizations are the foundations for achieving a successful career in behavior analysis.