How to Get BCBA Licensure in North Dakota

A career as a licensed BCBA in North Dakota could earn you up to $128,380 per year. The state offers impressive starting salaries ranging from $48,920 to $101,360 for entry-level behavior analysts.

The path to becoming a licensed Board-Certified Behavior Analyst requires careful planning. Each state has different BCBA licensure requirements that can feel overwhelming when you start. Completing an ABA licensure program doesn’t guarantee your eligibility for state licensure.

Let us walk you through the essential steps to become a licensed BCBA in North Dakota. This guide covers everything from education prerequisites to examination requirements that will help you start your career as a behavior analyst in the Peace Garden State.

Education Requirements for North Dakota BCBAs

The path to BCBA licensure in North Dakota follows a well-laid-out approach that lines up with national standards and gives several options to future behavior analysts.

Your first significant step to becoming a licensed behavior analyst in North Dakota starts with meeting the academic requirements. The state accepts two main educational paths for BCBA licensure:

1. Complete a doctoral degree from an accredited program in psychology, or
2. Get a doctorate or master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, or education from a program that is either:
   • Accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
   • Deemed acceptable to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) by meeting their acceptable degree definitions or course sequence requirements

Programs that aren’t ABAI-accredited or don’t have a pre-verified course sequence can still qualify if they have appropriate Course Content Allocation and accreditation from an agency the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes.

North Dakota’s educational system for behavior analysts makes sure you’re fully prepared in key areas. Your master’s-level coursework should cover everything in:

• Behavioral assessments
• Behavior change methodologies
• Legal and ethical issues in behavior analysis
• Research and application in behavior analysis

Right now, no universities in North Dakota have a complete master’s program approved by the ABAI or BACB. Many students choose accredited online master’s programs that offer flexibility and let them arrange practicums at convenient locations.

The University of North Dakota’s Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis stands out as a solid option within the state. This program has a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approved by the ABAI that lines up with BACB standards. Students must complete 22 credits across seven courses:

• ABA 540: Concepts and Principles in Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• ABA 541: Methods and Applications in Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• ABA 542: Ethical and Professional Conduct for Behavior Analysts (3 credits)
• ABA 543: Behavior Analytic Supervision and OBM (3 credits)
• ABA 544: Research Methods in Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• ABA 545: Assessment and Behavior Change Systems (4 credits)
• ABA 546: Philosophical Underpinnings of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)

UND’s program requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 for all graduate work (minimum of 9 credits) or for junior and senior years of undergraduate work. You’ll also need two letters of recommendation from behavior analytic professionals and an updated resume showing your experience with applied behavior analysis. The program also requires passing an FBI criminal background check after admission.

Certificate programs like UND’s are a great way to get BCBA requirements without completing another full master’s degree if you already have a master’s in education, psychology, or social work.

The path to becoming a registered assistant behavior analyst has lower educational requirements. You’ll need either:

• A bachelor’s degree in an ABAI-accredited program or one recognized by the BACB, or
• A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or another human service field that has specific coursework in introduction to psychology (3 semester credits), learning theory and behavior intervention (6 semester credits), and developmental psychology and autism spectrum disorder topics (4 semester credits)

The BCBA certification used to be mandatory for ABA licensees in North Dakota. All the same, the certification remains highly valued in the field.

Practical experience plays a vital role beyond academic coursework. BCBA certification requires at least 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork, with a minimum of 75 hours of supervision from a qualified BCBA.

The UND program and other certificate options prepare you for careers in counseling, psychology, social work, education, behavioral health treatment, behavior-based safety, behavioral pediatrics, organizational behavior management, behavior economics, and public health.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

After completing your educational requirements, your next significant step toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in North Dakota is the licensure process. The North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care manages the state’s licensing framework from application through renewal.

Your BCBA licensure trip starts with meeting the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) prerequisites. You must complete a doctorate or master’s degree from a program the Association for Behavior Analysis International accredits or the BACB approves. You also need to pass the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst examination that the BACB offers.

Here’s what you need to start your application:

1. Complete the Application for Licensure form and submit it to the licensing board
2. Provide two professional references for original licensure
3. Submit a Transcript Review Form documenting your educational background
4. Include the appropriate application and initial license fees

The review process could take up to three months since some applications need examination during quarterly board meetings. Applicants with out-of-state experience need more documentation, including verification forms from previous practice jurisdictions.

North Dakota lets behavior analysts with valid licenses from other states get licensure by endorsement. This option requires graduation from an accredited program, completion of the BACB national examination, and a current valid license from another state with similar requirements. The endorsement application needs your official application, approved school diploma copy, current license copy, and application fee.

State transfers are simple but detail-oriented. You need to verify your current certification’s good standing and show completion of all continuing education requirements.

Licensed professionals must renew their license by submitting a renewal fee on or before November 15th of each odd-numbered year. Getting your initial license after July 1st in an odd-numbered year means automatic renewal on November 15th for two more years without extra fees.

License renewal requires 32 hours of approved continuing education credits every two years, with 4 credits in ethics. Your renewal application must certify that you meet these requirements by the November 15th deadline.

Missing the renewal deadline means your license lapses. The reactivation process needs good standing letters from states where you practiced since your North Dakota license lapsed. A two-year or longer break from active practice in any state might mean retaking the BACB national examination.

Success as a behavior analyst in North Dakota depends on staying current with licensure requirements and keeping your credentials valid to practice legally and effectively.

Salaries for BCBAs in North Dakota

After completing your education and getting your license, you’ll want to know what BCBAs can earn in North Dakota. Your salary will depend on your experience, where you work, and your credentials.

Recent salary data shows Board Certified Behavior Analysts in North Dakota earn an average annual salary of $93,327. This breaks down to about $7,777 monthly, $1,794 weekly, or $44.87 hourly. Some sources suggest you might earn slightly more – around $94,249 per year.

Your earnings can grow substantially with experience. The most successful BCBAs with exceptional experience can earn up to $128,380 annually. Here’s how salaries progress based on experience:

Entry-Level BCBA Salaries (10th to 50th percentile):

• 10th percentile: $48,920
• 25th percentile: $78,620
• 50th percentile (median): $101,360

Experienced BCBA Salaries (50th to 90th percentile):

• 50th percentile (median): $101,360 [121]
• 75th percentile: $119,770
• 90th percentile: $128,380

Your location in North Dakota plays a big role in what you’ll earn as a behavior analyst. Recent job postings show varying BCBA salaries across cities:

Grand Forks tops the salary chart among major North Dakota cities, while Dickinson offers lower pay rates. These differences reflect each area’s cost of living, service demands, and healthcare facility concentration.

The state’s salary picture has room for improvement. North Dakota ranks 50th out of 50 states nationwide for BCBA salaries. You’ll find stable jobs here, but the pay tends to be lower than the national average.

BCBA salaries in North Dakota range from $50,259 to $157,653. Most professionals earn between $78,300 (25th percentile) and $95,800 (75th percentile).

The $17,500 difference between lower and higher pay scales shows you have many opportunities to increase your earnings through:

• Skill level development
• Years of experience
• Additional certifications
• Specialization in high-demand areas
• Location flexibility

You might want to look at related career paths to maximize your earnings. Certified Analytics Professional roles typically pay 39% more (about $36,793 higher) than standard BCBA positions in North Dakota.

Getting your ABA license and meeting BCBA requirements in North Dakota opens doors to a stable career with good earning potential. The job market may be “not very active” with limited companies hiring, but the clear salary progression from entry-level to experienced roles shows the financial rewards of advancing in this specialized field.

Careers in North Dakota

Your professional trip in North Dakota starts after you get your BCBA license and understand the salary structure. BCBAs in North Dakota have excellent career prospects, and the job market keeps growing steadily for qualified behavior analysts.

The rising awareness of Applied Behavior Analysis has changed the employment landscape for behavior analysts in North Dakota. The state’s improved insurance coverage for ABA services has created more opportunities for qualified BCBAs. Recent data shows a 14% rise in behavior analyst positions between 2022 and 2023.

BCBAs can find work in settings of all types:

• Educational institutions: West Fargo Public Schools and Bismarck Public Schools hire BCBAs and behavior specialists regularly
• Healthcare facilities: Sanford Health and CommonSpirit Health employ behavioral therapists
• Government agencies: ND Health and Human Services has several behavioral health therapist positions throughout the state
• Private clinics: Milestone Behavioral Health, Sevita, and North Dakota Autism Center look for qualified BCBAs

Fargo and Bismarck serve as major employment centers for BCBAs with their high concentration of behavioral health services. LinkedIn currently shows about 34 behavior analyst jobs in North Dakota. Glassdoor lists 19 behavior analyst positions across the state.

Each employer offers different salary ranges. Sevita in Fargo pays BCBAs between $63,000 and $75,000 yearly. Soar Autism Center’s resident BCBA positions offer $85,000-$107,000. North Dakota Autism Center’s BCBA roles pay $58,000-$69,000.

Most positions ask for qualifications beyond BCBA licensure. You’ll need a valid North Dakota driver’s license, pass background checks, and sometimes hold North Dakota teaching licenses for school positions.

The North Dakota ABA Association (ND ABA) helps job seekers by posting behavior analytic jobs and internship opportunities statewide. They work to expand Behavior Analysis throughout North Dakota.

Behavior analysts’ expertise now reaches way beyond traditional clinical roles. Organizations value their skills in behavioral economics, organizational behavior management, and public health.

Next Steps

A career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in North Dakota offers a rewarding path with excellent growth potential. This piece walks you through the steps to get your BCBA licensure in the Peace Garden State. The original requirements start with completing your educational qualifications through a doctoral program in psychology or a master’s/doctoral degree in behavior analysis, psychology, or education from an accredited institution.

The BCBA examination is a crucial step before you can apply for state licensure through the North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care. Your credentials need regular renewal and completion of required continuing education credits to stay current.

North Dakota’s BCBA salaries might be lower than other states, but the financial outlook remains promising. Entry-level positions start around $48,920, and experienced professionals can earn up to $128,380 per year. Of course, your earning potential depends on your location, experience level, and specialized skills.

BCBAs continue to find growing opportunities across North Dakota, especially when you have positions in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. You’ll find openings in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and private clinics of all types. The market might be smaller, but demand for qualified behavior analysts has increased 14% from 2022 to 2023.

This complete guide gives you everything you need to build your career as a behavior analyst in North Dakota. The path takes dedication and persistence, but helping others through behavior analysis makes it all worthwhile. Each step moves you closer to your goal, whether you’re starting your educational experience or preparing for licensure.