Become a BCBA in Michigan
Becoming a BCBA in Michigan is an increasingly attractive career path, with the field growing faster than ever and more than 2,000 practicing professionals as of 2023.
Michigan began regulating behavior analysts through state licensure in 2017. Every practitioner must obtain a license before they can provide Applied Behavior Analysis services. The license application costs $452.40 and remains valid for 4 years. On top of that, you must finish human trafficking awareness training and 2 hours of implicit bias training to get your license.
Getting BCBA certification in Michigan takes several steps. Most people receive their license within 4-6 weeks. The quick processing time benefits professionals ready to start their careers, particularly as insurance coverage requirements for ABA services drive market growth.
This piece covers everything about education requirements, licensure steps, salary expectations, and career opportunities for BCBAs in Michigan. Let’s begin your journey toward becoming a certified behavior analyst!
Education Requirements for Michigan BCBAs
The path to becoming a BCBA in Michigan starts with the right academic credentials. You need specific degrees and coursework that line up with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) standards.
A master’s or doctoral degree in behavior analysis or related field is required to qualify for BCBA certification. Several accredited programs in Michigan prepare future behavior analysts for certification and professional practice.
Degree Requirements
Getting a master’s or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) or recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) is the most direct route. These accredited programs meet both degree and coursework requirements through Pathway 1.
Pathway 2 lets you meet requirements with existing graduate degrees by completing additional behavior analysis coursework. This option requires you to:
- Have a master’s degree or higher from a qualifying institution
- Complete graduate-level behavior analysis coursework within 10 years of application
- Get academic credit and passing grades for all required courses
Coursework Requirements
Students not in an accredited program must complete at least 315 hours of graduate coursework in behavior analysis. The hours are split across these areas:
- Ethics and Professionalism: 45 hours
- Philosophical Underpinnings and Concepts: 90 hours
- Measurement, Data Analysis and Experimental Design: 45 hours
- Behavior Assessment: 45 hours
- Behavior-Change Procedures and Interventions: 60 hours
- Personnel Supervision and Management: 30 hours
Michigan State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Wayne State University offer programs that meet these requirements. Many programs combine online and on-campus instruction to accommodate working professionals.
Program Options in Michigan
Michigan State University’s Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (MA-ABA) program prepares students to work with children who have autism and intellectual disabilities in educational settings. MSU’s Project FOCCUS³, a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, offers tuition coverage.
University of Michigan-Dearborn offers two paths to a Master of Science in applied behavior analysis. Their accelerated 4+1 option saves over $12,000 in tuition. Graduates can work in clinical, educational, pre-vocational, and community settings.
Wayne State University asks for a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Students must get Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification before starting coursework, though it’s not required for application.
Important Timeline Considerations
ABAI will end its Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system on December 31, 2025. After 2026, students completing non-accredited programs must submit a Non-Verified Content Attestation to show they’ve met coursework standards.
Michigan requires proof of English language proficiency from international applicants or those educated outside the U.S. Students can prove proficiency if their educational program was in English, they earned at least 60 college-level credits from an English-speaking school, or passed an approved English proficiency exam.
The next step after completing educational requirements is supervised fieldwork experience. Students need either 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork. Most Michigan programs help coordinate this required experience with academic work.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
After you complete your educational requirements, you’ll need to get proper certification and state licensure to become a BCBA in Michigan. The process happens in two parts – first getting BACB certification, then applying for state licensure through Michigan’s regulatory body.
Getting Your Licensure and Credentials
You need both national certification and state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst in Michigan. Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) handles the licensing process for behavior analysts in the state.
You must get certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and then apply for a state license to practice legally as a BCBA in Michigan. The Michigan licensure process begins after you receive BACB certification.
BACB Certification Process
The BACB certification examination marks a crucial point in your experience. You’ll face 185 multiple-choice questions and have 4 hours to complete them. Testing centers across Michigan make the exam accessible, and you’ll see your results right after finishing.
The exam uses the modified Angoff method to set passing scores, so your results don’t depend on other test-takers. You can request accommodations through the BACB’s Examination Accommodation Request Form.
Michigan State Licensure Application
After getting BACB certification, apply for Michigan state licensure through the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) portal. The application fee plus four-year license costs $452.40. The application includes several requirements:
- Criminal background check (required for original applications)
- Good moral character attestation
- Social Security Number verification
- Verification of BACB certification in good standing
- Human trafficking awareness training (required after January 7, 2024)
- Two hours of implicit bias training completed within five years of application
You must also submit verification of any licenses held in other states directly to Michigan’s licensing office.
The English language proficiency requirement applies unless your educational program used English, you have at least 60 college-level credits from an English-speaking institution, or you’ve passed an approved English proficiency exam.
Licensure by Endorsement
Michigan offers licensure by endorsement for BCBAs licensed in another state or Canadian province. This efficient process needs verification of your current license in good standing and proof of no pending disciplinary actions.
Assistant Behavior Analyst Licensure
BCaBA certification candidates follow similar application steps but must submit an additional supervision verification form. A Michigan-licensed behavior analyst who has BACB certification and good standing must complete this form. Assistant behavior analysts work under a licensed BCBA’s supervision.
License Renewal
Your Michigan BCBA license needs renewal every four years at $374.40. The renewal process requires:
- Current BACB certification
- Human trafficking awareness training (one-time requirement)
- Implicit bias training (one hour per year of licensure)
- Answers about good moral character, disciplinary actions, and sex offender status
Most applicants get their Michigan BCBA license within 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application. This quick processing lets you start practicing sooner.
Note that you must maintain both your BACB certification and Michigan state license to practice legally as a behavior analyst in Michigan. Losing either credential could stop you from practicing and lead to disciplinary action.
Salaries for BCBAs in Michigan
The salary potential plays a crucial role for anyone who wants to become a BCBA in Michigan. A clear picture of what you can earn helps shape better career decisions.
Recent data shows Michigan BCBAs earn a median annual salary of approximately $80,000. Michigan’s salaries fall below the national average by 19%. Notwithstanding that, the financial future looks bright, especially for career-focused professionals.
BCBAs in Michigan can expect to earn between $64,737 at the 25th percentile and $98,313 at the 75th percentile. Top performers in the 90th percentile see their earnings go beyond $118,641 annually. Experience, location, specialization, and workplace settings create this wide range in earnings.
Location within Michigan substantially affects what you can earn. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area’s experienced behavior analysts with about ten years of experience report median earnings of $85,070. The top earners here take home up to $128,150. The Lansing-East Lansing area shows lower numbers, with experienced professionals earning a median of $62,350.
Michigan BCBA compensation typically has:
- Base salary from $59,000 to $88,000
- Extra pay between $5,000 and $11,000
Experience boosts your earning potential as a Michigan BCBA. New professionals start around $63,034 yearly. Some areas offer surprisingly competitive pay for beginners. To name just one example, see Lewiston-Auburn, where the median salary reaches $85,070. This shows how location sometimes matters more than experience in determining pay.
Senior BCBAs with extensive experience can see their salaries climb to approximately $167,393. The career path offers great growth potential throughout your professional development.
Michigan BCBAs’ hourly rates range from $31 to $47, with $38 as the median. Full-time positions bring in monthly earnings between $5,395 and $8,193.
The future looks promising for BCBA compensation. Industry forecasts point to higher salaries over the next decade. This growth comes from greater awareness of mental wellness services and better insurance coverage for applied behavior analysis treatments. A BCBA career in Michigan offers both personal satisfaction and financial stability.
Your earning potential depends on several factors beyond location:
- Practice setting (clinical, educational, private practice)
- Client specialization (autism, developmental disabilities, behavioral disorders)
- Additional certifications or specializations
- Leadership responsibilities
- Research involvement
This salary information provides a basic understanding of the financial aspects of becoming a BCBA in Michigan. Individual circumstances and market conditions might create variations from these numbers.
Careers in Michigan
Michigan’s career landscape for newly certified BCBAs looks promising. Job projections show growth exceeding 22% in coming years. Your career path as a behavior analyst can branch out in many directions throughout the state.
Legislative changes have transformed the job market for BCBAs in Michigan. Insurance companies must now cover Applied Behavior Analysis services for children with autism. The state currently has over 2,000 practicing BCBAs. Yet the supply can’t keep up with what employers just need, which creates excellent conditions for job seekers.
BCBAs can find work in a variety of settings. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practices regularly hire these professionals. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor show particularly strong employer interest in qualified behavior analysts. Professional platforms list hundreds of BCBA positions across Michigan. These range from entry-level to senior roles with different compensation packages.
School-based BCBA positions might interest professionals who love education. These roles involve creating assessments and intervention plans while working alongside teachers and families. BCBAs help nurture students’ social and communication development within educational settings.
Clinical settings are a great way to get experience leading ABA therapy programs for children with autism and developmental disabilities. Michigan clinics like Connect Fourward ABA and Echoing Minds ABA offer both full-time and part-time positions with competitive benefits.
Home-based and community ABA services give BCBAs another career path. They work directly with families in their natural environments. This approach requires adapting interventions to real-life situations while showing cultural sensitivity to meet diverse needs.
BCBAs with experience often move into supervisory and leadership roles. They shape clinical operations and practices in school districts and healthcare providers. Entrepreneurial professionals might start their own ABA clinics. Bilingual services are especially valuable to Michigan’s diverse populations.
State employment offers compelling benefits for BCBAs who value stability. The State of Michigan provides:
- Flexible work schedules and remote options for better work-life balance
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement benefits including automatic 4% contributions to 401(k) accounts
- Generous paid leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Professional development opportunities with up to $2,000 annual reimbursement for education
The State of Michigan has earned recognition as a leading employer for new graduates from 2021-2023. This makes it an excellent choice for BCBAs starting their careers.
BCBAs in Michigan use their expertise beyond traditional clinical roles. They work in mental health settings, residential facilities, and various human service environments. This shows how behavior analysis principles and techniques apply widely.
Your BCBA certification opens doors to numerous professional opportunities that match your interests and priorities. Michigan offers strong demand, diverse work settings, and competitive benefits. These factors make it an ideal place to launch and advance your behavior analysis career.
Next Steps
A career as a BCBA in Michigan opens doors to rewarding opportunities with room to grow. You’ll need to complete your master’s degree with 315 hours of specialized coursework and gain supervised fieldwork experience. The certification process requires both BACB certification and Michigan state licensure.
Michigan BCBAs enjoy attractive financial benefits. Salaries typically range from $64,737 to $98,313 annually. Experienced professionals in metropolitan areas like Detroit can earn over $118,000. Your investment in education and certification will pay off substantially over time.
Career prospects are expanding faster across Michigan thanks to new legislation and better insurance coverage for ABA services. The field needs qualified behavior analysts in clinical settings, schools, private practices, and state government positions. New BCBAs entering the field benefit from this high demand.
Becoming a BCBA might look daunting at first. The good news is that the licensure process takes just 4-6 weeks after meeting all requirements. Your work will help transform the lives of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in Michigan.
This roadmap gives you the tools to pursue BCBA certification in Michigan. The field’s growth, diverse opportunities, and professional advancement potential make it an ideal time to begin your experience as a behavior analyst. Future clients will benefit from your skills and compassionate care in this vital profession.