Professional Credentialing of Practicing Behavior Analysts

Treatments based on applied behavior analysis (ABA)—an applied science of human behavior—have been increasingly recognized in public policy, both at the federal and state levels. Despite this recognition, however, the relative newness of the science often raises questions about the nature of the treatment approach and the qualifications and regulation of its practitioners. Thus, the present article is a primer on the features of ABA most relevant to public policy stakeholders, including professional certification, licensure, and workforce expansion.