How to Become a BCBA in Utah: Complete Certification Guide for 2026

The BCBA exam isn’t easy – only about 60% of candidates pass it.

Getting your BCBA certification in Utah needs good planning, but the career rewards make every effort count. BCBA professionals earn between $34.00 and $45.25 per hour, with yearly salaries ranging from $70,000 to $94,120. You can earn even more through profit sharing opportunities.

The field keeps moving faster. Utah started licensing applied behavior analysts (ABAs) in 2015. A new law in 2024 changed Title 58 to add licenses for Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Coaches.

The basic requirements haven’t changed much. You need a master’s degree from an accredited institution in behavior analysis, psychology, or related fields to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Utah. The license application costs $120, and licenses expire on September 30 of even-numbered years.

Education Requirements for Utah BCBAs

Your BCBA certification trip in Utah starts with meeting specific educational requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which oversees BCBA certification.

You’ll need a master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, education, or a related field from an accredited institution to qualify for BCBA certification in Utah. This foundation gives you the theoretical knowledge you need to practice applied behavior analysis effectively.

Your master’s program must include a BACB-approved course sequence, also known as a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). These courses cover everything in:

• Ethics in behavior analysis
• Assessment methodologies
• Intervention strategies
• Research methods
• Behavioral principles and applications

Several Utah universities offer Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Verified Course Sequences that meet the coursework requirements for becoming a BCBA. These programs help prepare you for certification and practice.

The University of Utah’s complete ABA program lets students finish all coursework needed for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam. Their curriculum meets BACB requirements and teaches ABA implementation in schools, which makes it perfect for students interested in educational settings.

Utah State University has an M.S. in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis coursework. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has verified their program meets all requirements for the BCBA examination.

Utah Valley University (UVU) runs a Master of Education program with ABA concentration. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA to get in.

Professionals moving into behavior analysis from related fields who already have a qualifying master’s degree that meets BACB requirements can take just the ABA preparation courses needed for the BCBA exam.

The next step is getting supervised experience – you’ll need minimum of 1,500 hours in behavior analysis. Students can get these hours in schools, clinics and other settings.

UVU students spend 18-20 hours weekly for 16 weeks across six semesters to complete the 1,500-hour requirement. Supervision must cover at least 7.5% of total practicum hours.

The University of Utah gives supervision credits to students working in clinical or applied settings. Program faculty provide one-on-one supervision that meets BACB requirements for supervised fieldwork experience.

The time needed to get BCBA certification depends on your background and how quickly you complete supervised hours. Most students finish their master’s in 2-3 years. Utah State University has a 3-year master’s sequence, but some programs might take less time based on your course load and previous education.

After completing your education and supervised experience, you can take the BCBA examination – your final step to certification. Utah doesn’t require additional licenses beyond national certification, but you must meet all BACB educational, supervised experience, and examination requirements to practice here.

Getting Your Licensure and Credentials

Your next significant step after completing your education toward getting your BCBA certification in Utah is to get proper licensure through the state’s regulatory bodies.

Behavior analysts in Utah must get their license through the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). This state-level licensure works with your BACB certification and lets you practice legally within Utah.

The path to licensing starts with an application to the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. You’ll need to show proof of your current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. This certification is the foundation for state licensure.

The application process requires a criminal background check. You’ll need to submit your fingerprints to the Missouri state highway patrol. A criminal record won’t automatically stop you from getting licensed, but it might need extra review during the process.

Your Utah license application must include:

• Completed application form
• Application fee
• Proof of BCBA certification
• Criminal background check results
• Verification of licensure from other states (if applicable)

Utah provides special resources to accelerate the licensing process for military members and their spouses. These might include faster processing or fee waivers. Check the Military Resources page before you apply if this applies to you.

Licensed behavior analysts from other states might qualify for licensure by endorsement. You’ll need to prove your current license status and good standing in your previous state.

ABA service providers in Utah must meet extra requirements. Companies need to get Day Treatment Licensure through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services before providing services. This rule makes sure organizations meet Utah’s behavioral health service standards.

The psychology field in Utah has four license types: Psychologist, Certified Psychology Resident, Behavior Analyst, and Assistant Behavior Analyst. Assistant Behavior Analysts must pass the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination from the BACB.

Utah defines “experiential behavior analyst training” as practical training under supervision. This training involves assessments, program development, implementation, training others, and monitoring. Supervision should happen every two weeks and take up at least 5% of total supervised hours.

Supervisors and supervisees in Utah must have a formal contract. The contract lists responsibilities, activities, measurable goals, and non-compliance consequences. Both parties must agree to follow the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts from the BACB.

A standardized form tracks supervision details, including meeting dates, duration, format, performance reviews, and signatures from both parties.

Licensed professionals need 32 hours of continuing education every two years, with 4 hours in ethics. This keeps you up to date with the latest practices in the field.

Being organized and meeting all requirements will help you direct your path to becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Utah. This allows you to practice legally and provide valuable services across the state.

Salaries for BCBAs in Utah

BCBAs in Utah earn competitive salaries that make this career path worth pursuing after completing your BCBA certification in Utah. A good grasp of salary trends will help you chart your career path better.

BCBAs in Utah earn an average of $86,877 annually. This puts them in a sweet spot, with salaries ranging from $69,580 to $108,474 for top performers. These earnings make BCBA professionals in Utah financially stable compared to other jobs requiring similar qualifications.

Your location in Utah plays a big role in what you’ll earn. West Jordan leads with yearly earnings of $90,511, and Provo follows close behind at $90,457. Salt Lake City comes in third at $89,846. Other cities with good pay include:

• Layton: $87,375 yearly
• Orem: $86,824 yearly
• Ogden: $85,960 yearly
• Cedar City: $84,613 yearly

Location matters a lot if you’re planning to become BCBA certified. The difference in pay between cities can be more than $7,500 per year, which matters when you’re choosing where to work.

Your experience level makes a big difference in what you can earn after certification. Top BCBAs in Salt Lake City can make up to $135,690 (top 10%), while experienced professionals typically earn $101,340.

New BCBAs also start with good pay. Salt Lake City offers starting salaries of $46,220 (10th percentile), which can grow to $101,340 as you gain experience. This growth shows why many people see bcba certification as a smart financial move.

Your earnings as a BCBA in Utah depend on several factors:

1. Industry and Work Setting: Private practice offers the best pay, ranging from $80,000 to $120,000 nationwide. Healthcare settings pay $70,000 to $100,000, and educational institutions offer $65,000 to $90,000.
2. Education and Credentials: Advanced degrees and extra certifications can boost your market value beyond the basic requirements for bcba certification.
3. Regional Economics: Your pay depends on the local demand for ABA services. Areas that need more BCBAs usually pay better.
4. Cost of Living Adjustments: Urban areas typically pay more than rural ones because living costs more in cities.

Utah BCBAs often get extra perks through benefit packages. These include health insurance, retirement plans, education allowances, and sometimes profit sharing.

Some specialized roles can boost your income. Travel BCBAs earn around $81,092 yearly, while BCBA managers make about $71,401 annually. Manager roles often come with bonuses and incentives not included in the base salary.

Extra certifications can also increase your earnings. Analytics Professionals, for example, earn 39% more than standard BCBA positions, reaching $112,748 on average.

The financial outlook for bcba certification in Utah looks promising. Good base pay, room for growth, location options, and chances to specialize make this career path financially rewarding.

Careers in Utah

BCBAs in Utah have exceptional growth opportunities. The Mountain West region shows a 25% average annual growth rate. This growth comes from better telehealth systems and expanded school-based services throughout the state.

Jobs are plentiful all over Utah, especially in urban areas. Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden create perfect conditions for new BCBAs. These cities have many families who just need behavioral services. So, you’ll find plenty of meaningful work after completing your BCBA certification in Utah.

BCBAs in Utah can work in a variety of settings:

• Educational institutions and school districts
• Healthcare facilities and hospitals (including University of Utah Health)
• Private practices and specialized autism clinics
• Home-based service providers

Right now, Utah employers are eager to hire BCBAs with competitive packages. Utah Behavior Services runs centers in eight locations: Salt Lake City, Roy, St. George, Taylorsville, Lehi, Brigham City, Cedar City, and Richfield. ABS Kids, Bridgeway Integrated Healthcare, Attain ABA, and Golden Steps ABA are also major employers.

The pay is attractive. Hourly rates range from $34.00-$45.25, which means yearly salaries between $70,000-$94,120. Many positions offer profit-sharing too. Employers often add sign-on bonuses from $5,000-$10,000.

Standard benefit packages include:

Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) plans with employer matching Paid time off and flexible scheduling Continuing education credits and professional development assistance Loan repayment assistance and tuition support programs

Your job will involve functional assessments, behavior support plans, caregiver support, and therapy supervision. New BCBAs usually start with direct client work. Later, they move up to supervise teams of behavior technicians.

The field lets certified professionals shape their careers. You’ll find full-time, part-time, remote, and hybrid positions throughout Utah. This flexibility makes becoming BCBA-certified a worthwhile goal.

The time spent getting BCBA certification pays off quickly with abundant opportunities. About 9,100 new ABA therapy jobs will open nationally in the next decade. Utah’s strong growth makes the career outlook bright for BCBAs across the state.

Next Steps

A career as a BCBA in Utah comes with great financial benefits and room to grow. This piece outlines what you need to become certified by 2026. Your path starts with a master’s degree in behavior analysis or related field. You’ll also need to complete at least 1,500 hours of supervised experience. The final steps include passing the BCBA exam and getting your state license through Utah’s Division of Professional Licensing.

BCBAs in Utah earn impressive salaries quickly. Annual pay ranges from $70,000 to over $100,000 based on where you work and your experience. West Jordan, Provo, and Salt Lake City offer the best compensation packages. Many employers sweeten the deal with healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and money for continuing education.

The job market for BCBAs keeps growing strong across Utah’s urban areas. Client needs for behavior analysis services are on the rise. You can work in schools, healthcare facilities, private practices, or from home. The BCBA certification opens doors to direct client work or leadership roles.

The certification process takes time and dedication. Your hard work will pay off professionally. Utah’s new behavioral health service regulations make certified BCBAs more valuable than ever. This detailed guide gives you a clear path to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Utah.