Now is the perfect time to pursue a BCBA career in Illinois. The state will roll out formal licensing requirements for Applied Behavior Analysts in 2025. This means you should understand these new rules well. Both behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts will need to get their license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Becoming a BCBA in Illinois requires specific steps. You must earn a graduate degree and complete 1,500 hours of supervised work. The BCBA exam comes next, with about 60% of candidates passing it. The career outlook looks promising too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts BCBA jobs will grow by more than 20% in the next eight years. This is a big deal as it means that the growth rate of most other jobs.

This piece guides you through every step to become a certified BCBA in Illinois. We cover everything from education requirements to getting your license and finding great opportunities in the Land of Lincoln – whether you’re just starting out or already on your way to certification.

Education Requirements for Illinois BCBAs

Getting certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Illinois starts with the right academic credentials. BCBA certification requires specific educational qualifications set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Master’s Degree Requirements

A master’s degree from an accredited institution forms the foundation of BCBA education in Illinois. Your degree should focus on behavior analysis, psychology, education, or related fields. Graduate-level education equips you with theoretical knowledge and analytical skills needed for practice.

BCBA certification doesn’t require a specific undergraduate major. Students with diverse academic backgrounds can pursue this career path after completing the required graduate coursework.

BACB-Approved Coursework

The BCBA certification exam requires coursework that meets BACB standards. Students learn these critical areas:

Ethics in behavior analysis
Assessment methodologies
Intervention strategies
Research methods
Behavioral theory foundations

The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) now manages the Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system as of January 1, 2019. This change affects program accreditation and verification processes. This program is sunsetting at the end of 2026, so requirements must be confirmed by the school.

Illinois University Programs

Illinois universities offer several programs designed for BCBA certification:

Southern Illinois University Carbondale features multiple options including an ABAI-accredited MS in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis with BACB pre-verified course sequence, and various certificate options both online and on campus.
University of Illinois at Chicago delivers a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, Disability, and Diversity in Urban Society with 40 total credits and optional supervised fieldwork hours.
The Chicago School‘s ABAI-accredited MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program takes 2-2.5 years full-time and meets all BCBA certification educational requirements.
Loyola University Chicago offers an MEd in Applied Behavior Analysis that prepares students for the BCBA certification exam.
National Louis University delivers M.S. and Ed.S. (post-master’s) degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis, with ABAI-verified coursework.

Program Structure and Requirements

ABA master’s programs in Illinois typically need 36-45 credit hours. Full-time students can complete these programs in 2-2.5 years. Programs come in various formats – on-campus, online, and hybrid – perfect for working professionals.

The University of Illinois at Chicago program requires 40 credits and includes optional supervised fieldwork. Southern Illinois University’s 45-hour graduate program covers BAT fundamentals, legal and ethical issues, observation methods, behavior consultation, research tactics, and practical applications.

Licensure Eligibility Pathways

Illinois licensure requires either:

Proof of current/active BCBA certification, OR
Official transcripts showing BCBA-approved education experience as required by Rules 68 IAC Section 1376.15, AND proof of passing the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation added Behavior Analyst licenses to their new Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment (CORE) licensing system in January 2025. This system makes the application process easier for aspiring BCBAs.

Educational requirements mark just the beginning. After finishing your master’s degree with appropriate coursework, you’ll need supervised experience before taking the certification exam.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

After finishing your education, getting the right credentials and license marks your next big step to become a BCBA in Illinois. The state now asks behavior analysts to get licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) along with their BCBA certification, starting 2025.

You’ll need both national certification and state licensure to move forward.

BCBA Certification Process

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) handles BCBA certification, which forms the base of your professional credentials. Your next steps after getting your graduate degree and finishing coursework include:

Complete supervised fieldwork requirements, choosing either:
- 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork (with 10% of hours supervised)
- 2,000 hours of standard supervised fieldwork (with 5% of hours supervised)
Pass the BCBA certification exam that covers 185 questions about philosophical foundations, concepts, principles, measurement, experimental design, ethics, assessment, interventions, and supervision.
Send your application to the BACB with needed documents and a $245 application fee.

You’ll need to recertify your BCBA every two years. This means completing 32 continuing education units (CEUs), including 4 CEUs in ethics and 3 in supervision for board-approved supervisors.

Illinois State Licensure Requirements

Illinois makes it mandatory for behavior analysts to get state licensure through IDFPR’s Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment (CORE) system starting January 2025. Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential needs either:

A current valid BCBA certification, or
IDFPR’s endorsement for an out-of-state license meeting similar standards

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) credential needs:

A current valid BCaBA certification, or
Endorsement for an out-of-state license meeting similar standards

Application Process and Timeline

March 23, 2025 marks the official deadline to get licensed in Illinois, though IDFPR pushed enforcement to April 21, 2025. People who apply before the deadline but don’t get licensed by that date might face insurance payment issues. IDFPR likely won’t take action against them for unlicensed activity.

The application needs:

An online application through IDFPR’s CORE system
Initial application fee ($400 for LBA, $100 for LABA)
Proof of your BCBA certification
Completed fingerprinting and background check

You must use an IDFPR-approved vendor for fingerprinting and get a Transaction Control Number (TCN) before applying. LBA applications need Purpose Code LBA and ORI number IL922015Z.

License Maintenance and Renewal

Illinois licenses need renewal every two years with specific continuing education:

LBAs need 30 continuing education units
LABAs need 20 continuing education units

IDFPR accepts all BACB ACE providers as approved CE sponsors. This means your CEUs from BACB ACE providers count toward Illinois requirements.

The Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis worked with IDFPR to waive renewal fees for the October 2025 renewal cycle. You’ll still need to complete your CEs though.

Important Exemptions

Some professionals don’t need a license:

Learning behavior specialists or school support personnel with endorsements working in schools (if they don’t call themselves licensed behavior analysts)
Level 1 or Level 2 providers (but they can’t present themselves as LBAs or LABAs)

Supervising someone who provides behavior analysis services means you’re providing the service too. This requires a license whether you get paid or not.

Need help with technical issues during application? The DPR Call Center stands ready at 800/560-6420.

Salaries for BCBAs in Illinois

Your salary as a BCBA in Illinois depends on several factors. The field offers stable income and room to grow as your career advances. Let’s look at what you can expect to earn with BCBA certification in Illinois.

Right now in 2025, BCBAs in Illinois earn about $86,316 per year. This breaks down to $41.50 per hour, $1,659 weekly, or $7,193 monthly. BCBAs here earn a bit less than their counterparts in Massachusetts ($95,048) and Hawaii ($94,601).

Most BCBA positions pay between $71,700 (25th percentile) and $87,700 (75th percentile). The good news is that top performers can earn up to $128,395 yearly. Your earnings grow as you build experience and expertise.

Experience makes a big difference in your paycheck. New BCBAs in the Chicago area start at $38,310 (10th percentile) to $71,680 (25th percentile). BCBAs with ten years of experience earn much more – around $62,764 plus bonuses of about $2,750.

Where you work in Illinois matters too. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area offers great pay:

Median (50th percentile): $101,600
75th percentile: $119,200
90th percentile: $130,050

Chicago BCBAs earn about $92,631 yearly or $45 per hour. While this is 6% below the national average, it’s still good money. Most Chicago BCBAs make between $74,499 and $115,861 yearly.

Some Illinois cities pay even better than the state average:

Sadorus: $93,854
Andalusia: $93,478
Winnetka: $93,351
Buffalo Grove: $91,351
Burbank: $90,966

Your earnings also depend on:

Work setting – Clinical, educational, and corporate environments each pay differently
Specialization – Working with specific populations can boost your income
Additional certifications – Extra credentials can make you more valuable
Management responsibilities – Leading teams usually pays more

Salary isn’t everything. Many employers offer great perks like yearly bonuses from $7,000 to $13,000, education funds, flexible schedules, and full healthcare benefits.

Your career path looks promising. Starting at $63,034 yearly, you can work your way up to $167,393 at senior levels. Related roles like Certified Analytics Professional pay even better – about 39% more ($33,696 higher) than regular BCBA positions.

The need for skilled behavior analysts keeps growing in Illinois. The 2025 licensure requirements mean competitive pay packages will continue as employers look to attract and keep talented professionals.

Careers in Illinois

The job market for BCBAs in Illinois keeps growing faster in a variety of sectors. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, Illinois saw a big change – 28% increase in jobs for BCBAs, with postings jumping from 2,071 to 2,652. This matches national trends, where the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth to exceed 20% for BCBAs over the next eight years.

Illinois provides many practice settings for qualified behavior analysts. BCBAs can find work in:

Educational institutions and school districts
Healthcare facilities and hospitals
Private ABA therapy clinics
Disability service agencies
Home-based intervention programs
Corporate settings offering behavioral management

This career variety shows how behavior analysis principles have spread beyond their traditional uses. While 75% of BCBAs work with the autism population, professionals now head over to other areas. The need for behavior analysts has grown by 33% in 2024, with experts working in behavioral health, education, healthcare, and organizational management.

Naperville, Aurora, and Rockford have become major centers for BCBA roles. The Chicago metropolitan area still has the highest number of positions, and job boards list hundreds of openings in specialties of all types. LinkedIn showed 347 BCBA job openings in Illinois in 2025, which suggests a resilient market for qualified professionals.

BCBAs in Illinois take various career paths beyond clinical work:

Clinical supervisors (average salary: $70,135) guide and oversee behavior analysts and technicians
ABA professors (average salary: $67,193) teach at undergraduate or graduate levels
Autism specialists (average salary: $46,446) work with individuals who have autism spectrum disorders
Early intervention specialists (average salary: $48,274) focus on young children with developmental delays

Note that career planning should consider upcoming regulatory changes. Starting January 15, 2027, businesses that provide applied behavior analysis services must ensure their core team, partners, shareholders, directors, officers, and employees who provide these services hold a valid license under the Illinois Behavior Analyst Licensing Act.

New BCBAs entering the field face different competition levels by region. Metropolitan jobs attract more applicants, so specialized training and relevant experience are vital differentiating factors. High demand combined with professional challenges creates both opportunities and concerns—72% of behavior analysts report burnout, suggesting a need for professional support and resources.

The University of Illinois at Chicago points out that a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis lets you work in clinic and school settings, disability service agencies, hospitals, and other educational environments. Many students working toward BCBA certification also work as teachers, behavioral technicians, or higher education administrators, which creates paths for career growth while completing their education.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in Illinois makes perfect sense right now. The numbers back this up – there was a 28% surge in demand between 2022 and 2023. The path takes dedication. You’ll need to complete a master’s degree, meet 1,500 hours of supervised experience, and pass the BCBA exam. All the same, the professional rewards make it worth the effort.

Illinois has set up formal licensing requirements starting in 2025. This gives you a clear path through certification and licensure. Many universities in the state offer programs tailored for future behavior analysts. Once you finish your education, you’ll need to get both BACB certification and state licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Money is another great reason to choose this path. BCBAs in Illinois earn an average salary of $86,316. This creates a strong foundation for your career. Experienced professionals can earn by a lot more, especially in Chicago where top earners make $130,050 each year.

Job opportunities keep growing in a variety of sectors throughout Illinois. School districts, healthcare facilities, private clinics, and corporate settings are looking for qualified behavior analysts. This variety lets you find your professional sweet spot while making real differences in people’s lives.

The future looks bright for BCBAs in Illinois. Job growth should hit 20% over the next eight years – this is a big deal as it means your career potential stays strong. BCBAs who meet the requirements and get proper credentials will without doubt find success in this ever-changing and rewarding field.

How to Become a BCBA in Illinois