How to Become a BCBA in Oregon: Complete Requirements Guide (2025-26)

The market for board certified behavior analysts in Oregon is growing faster than ever. Experts project a 20% increase in job opportunities over the next decade.

Right now, Oregon has only 1,000 BCBAs in practice. Many aspiring professionals find it hard to get certified. Your first vital step is to understand the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) education requirements, whether you want to become one or just need to know about the required degrees.

Portland offers great opportunities for BCBAs with a 15% job growth rate predicted for the next decade. This is important since it means that the growth surpasses the national average. The median annual salary for BCBAs in Portland sits at $75,000. This reflects the strong demand for qualified professionals across clinical and educational settings.

Behavior analysis regulation in Oregon started in 2013 through state legislature. The licensing requirements came into effect in 2015 when the Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) was created. This guide covers everything about becoming a BCBA in Oregon – from education prerequisites to licensing procedures and career opportunities.

Education Requirements for Oregon BCBAs

Getting board certified as a behavior analyst in Oregon needs specific educational credentials, coursework, and supervised practice. You should know these requirements to build your career in this growing field.

Here’s what you need to get BCBA certification in Oregon:

• Earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Complete a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) that meets Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) standards
• Get a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised practice in behavior analysis
• Pass the BCBA examination

A master’s degree builds the foundation of your board certified behavior analyst education. You must get this advanced degree from an accredited four-year institution. Most BCBA programs in Oregon need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Programs also need specific prerequisite coursework with grade requirements. Oregon Tech wants applicants to score a B or higher in General Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics. You’ll need to write a personal statement about your career goals and potential success. Three reference letters are required – at least one academic and one professional.

A Verified Course Sequence is vital to your educational path. This BACB-approved curriculum needs at least 270 hours of instruction in ethics, assessment, and intervention strategies. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) checks these courses against requirements for the BCBA examination.

Oregon universities offer specialized programs that meet these requirements:

Oregon Tech runs the state’s first master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (MS-ABA). Students get ready for national certification and Oregon licensure. The university provides ABA practicum placements with supervised experience needed for BCBA exam eligibility, including paid positions at approved ABA agencies.

Portland State University runs a fully online program with a Verified Course Sequence matching the 5th Edition Task List. Students can choose this as a graduate certificate or combine it with a master’s degree. The program focuses on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support and behavioral supports in early childhood settings.

The University of Oregon offers an Online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. This program creates clinician-researchers and gives supervised research experience in behavior analysis. They plan to apply for ABAI accreditation eligibility in Spring 2025.

Online master’s programs attract many students because they cost less than campus programs and offer more flexibility. This works well for students who live far from schools with these programs.

Other paths exist in behavior analysis. Assistant applied behavior analysts (AABAs) need only a bachelor’s degree for BCaBA certification and state licensure. Behavior Interventionists can get licensed in Oregon with a high school diploma or G.E.D.

Check if your chosen program meets all current BACB standards before you enroll, as requirements may change. After completing your education, you can start the licensure and credentialing process.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your path to becoming a board certified behavior analyst in Oregon starts after you complete your education. You need proper licensure and credentials. Oregon has required ABA practitioners to have a license for insurance reimbursement since 2015.

The Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) oversees the licensing process in Oregon. It operates within the Oregon Health Authority’s Health Licensing Office (HLO). This board manages three different types of licenses with specific requirements.

Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) must submit a completed application form with a $150 application fee. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) should send your BCBA certification proof directly to the HLO office. You must also provide two forms of government-issued identification, and one must have your photograph. A fingerprint-based nationwide criminal records check is required. The HLO will issue your official credential after you pay a $200 license fee.

The process for Assistant Behavior Analysts shares many similarities. They pay $125 for application and $175 for the license fee after approval. These analysts must also show proof of supervision by a licensed Behavior Analyst.

Behavior Analysis Interventionist registration is more available. You need a high school diploma or GED and proof of 40 hours of professional training in applied behavior analysis. The fees include $75 for application and $100 for registration after approval.

Professional development remains an ongoing requirement. Licensed Behavior Analysts must complete 16 continuing education (CE) hours each year. Assistant Behavior Analysts need 10 CE hours. Both must take at least one hour of ethics training in applied behavior analysis as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes.

You must keep your continuing education documentation for two years after license renewal. The Health Licensing Office may request these documents. License renewal requires an attestation of compliance, and the HLO conducts regular audits.

The annual license renewal happens through the HLO website. Renewal fees match your original licensing fee without the application cost. Your license will expire if you don’t renew it for more than three years. This means starting the application process again.

Oregon doesn’t offer reciprocal or temporary licenses for practitioners from other states. The process remains simple for BCBAs moving to Oregon because the state’s requirements match national BACB certification standards. You just need to show your current BACB certification and meet Oregon’s continuing education requirements.

Your supervised fieldwork documentation should be ready before you apply. The BACB requires trainees to spend much of their hours in unrestricted activities. These activities illustrate the work of behavior analysts who create programs for others to implement. Your supervisor helps determine if activities meet fieldwork requirements and match your professional goals.

After meeting all requirements and getting your license, you can legally practice as a behavior analyst in Oregon. You’ll join a growing community of professionals who help improve outcomes through applied behavior analysis.

Salaries for BCBAs in Oregon

Your career as a board certified behavior analyst in Oregon comes with attractive financial benefits that help you plan your professional future better. After completing your board certified behavior analyst education requirements and getting your credentials, you can look forward to competitive pay that changes based on several factors.

Oregon stands out as one of the top-paying states for BCBAs across the country. The average annual salaries range from $74,546 to $99,266, according to different sources. Some reports show Oregon’s average BCBA salary reaches $93,581 per year. This makes it the fifth highest-paying state in the country for this profession.

BCBAs in Oregon earn between $44.99 and $48.00 per hour [163]. Monthly earnings average around $7,798. This creates a stable financial foundation throughout your career.

The salary structure in Oregon rewards experience well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that BCBAs with years of experience can earn as much as $108,160 annually. Top earners in Eugene (90th percentile) can make over $208,000 per year.

Your location in Oregon plays a big role in what you can earn. Here’s how different regions compare:

• Portland Metropolitan Area: Experienced BCBAs earn a median of $108,160, with the 75th percentile at $127,820 and 90th percentile at $140,610
• Eugene: The median for experienced professionals is $105,710, with chances to earn beyond $208,000 in the 90th percentile
• Salem: Average yearly salary reaches $86,727
• Gresham: Average yearly salary hits $85,822
• Beaverton: Average yearly salary stands at $82,684
• Hillsboro: Average yearly salary comes to $74,436

Starting salaries look promising too. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro’s entry-level positions (10th percentile) start around $64,640, while the 25th percentile hits $98,320. Eugene shows more variety – entry-level jobs start at $39,630 but jump to $88,880 at the 25th percentile.

Your earnings as a BCBA in Oregon depend on several other factors:

• Experience level: Salaries start around $63,044 and can go above $167,404 for senior roles
• Employer type: Private organizations versus public institutions
• Specialization area: Your focus on specific populations or treatment approaches
• Additional certifications: Extra credentials beyond the BCBA
• Metropolitan versus rural settings: Urban areas tend to pay more

Looking at specific employers, Kadiant ($107,967), Moda Health ($101,048), and Multnomah County ($96,512) offer some of the best pay packages for behavior analysts in Portland. Positive Behavior Supports Corporation ($96,164) and Broadway Medical Clinic ($90,500) also stand out.

BCBA salaries in Oregon show impressive range. Most professionals earn between $78,200 (25th percentile) and $95,700 (75th percentile). Top performers (90th percentile) can reach $140,090 yearly. This wide spread shows great chances to advance based on your education, expertise, and experience.

These salary expectations are helpful as you plan your path to becoming a board certified behavior analyst. They can guide your decisions about the degree you need and where to focus your career growth. The field values properly trained and credentialed professionals who meet all board certified behavior analyst education requirements, and the financial rewards reflect this.

Careers in Oregon

Oregon’s job market for board certified behavior analysts has seen explosive growth in recent years. Career opportunities for qualified professionals have reached unprecedented levels. The numbers tell an amazing story – job postings jumped by 291% from 2022 to 2023 alone.

BCBAs are in high demand throughout the state. While Oregon had 920 job postings in 2023, there were only 438 practicing BCBAs – roughly two open positions for every analyst. Rural areas face an even bigger shortage, creating excellent career prospects for professionals willing to work outside major cities.

Your BCBA certification opens doors to many professional paths in a variety of settings throughout Oregon:

• Educational institutions: Schools, special education programs, and educational service districts
• Healthcare facilities: Clinics, hospitals, mental health centers, and rehabilitation settings
• Social services: Child welfare agencies, community organizations, and family support services
• Private practices: Independent consulting or joining established behavior analysis firms
• Organizational settings: Applying behavior analysis principles in business and industry

BCBAs can work with different populations and specializations:

• Autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities
• Brain injury rehabilitation
• Gerontology and senior care services
• Sports performance improvement
• Substance abuse prevention and treatment
• Environmentally responsible practices
• Systems-level change in community settings
• Organizational behavior management

Most job opportunities exist in Portland, Eugene, and Salem. Oregon Tech’s Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program helps address rural shortages. Their Behavior Improvement Group (BIG) ABA Clinic in Klamath Falls serves as the only provider within a 75-mile radius.

Several major employers actively recruit BCBAs. Current job listings come from organizations like:

• Comprehensive Early Autism Services (Portland)
• Western Psychological and Counseling (multiple locations)
• Waterfall Community Health Center (Coos Bay)
• Southern Oregon Education Service District (Medford)
• Kyo (Portland)
• Options for Southern Oregon (Grants Pass)
• BlueSprig (Gresham)

Benefits packages go well beyond base salary. Many employers offer health insurance, retirement plans with matching contributions, paid time off, continuing education allowances, and student loan repayment assistance. To name just one example, Waterfall Community Health Center offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus plus $50,000 in employer-funded student loan repayment.

BCBAs in Oregon can look forward to excellent career prospects. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board projects job growth of approximately 20% over the next decade. This rate significantly outpaces average occupational growth.

Competition for qualified professionals has led employers to offer attractive incentives. Many now provide relocation assistance, flexible scheduling, and remote work options. Some organizations even cover licensing costs for new hires to remove barriers in this high-demand field.

A master’s degree gives you versatility in your career path. This training meets board certified behavior analyst education requirements and prepares you to work in education, healthcare, and community service sectors throughout Oregon.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in Oregon brings unique professional and financial opportunities. This piece has shown you everything you need to get certified – from earning your master’s degree to finishing supervised hours and passing the BCBA exam. You’ll also need to meet Oregon’s licensing requirements through the Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board.

Oregon faces a shortage of qualified BCBAs, which creates amazing opportunities for new certified professionals. Job openings substantially exceed the number of available analysts, especially when you have positions in rural areas. Your services will be in high demand whatever location you pick to practice. The timing is perfect to start your journey in this expanding field.

Oregon ranks among the highest-paying states for behavior analysts in the country. Your earnings can vary based on your experience, location, and specialty area. Even starting positions pay well, and salaries keep growing as employers compete to hire qualified professionals.

Your BCBA certification lets you work in a variety of settings. You can choose from schools, healthcare facilities, private practices, and corporate environments. This flexibility will give you room to line up your career with what interests you while helping countless people.

Want to get started? Look into accredited programs that meet BACB standards. You can study locally at Oregon Tech and Portland State University or choose online programs. Once you complete your board certified behavior analyst education, you’ll become part of a growing community that helps people through proven methods. The journey takes work, but the personal and professional rewards make it worth every effort.