About the NCBALB
History
For years, North Carolina was the only state in which Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) were required to practice under the supervision of a Licensed Psychologist. The North Carolina Psychology Practice Act lists behavior analysis under “the practice of psychology,” thus behavior analysts could only practice in the state of North Carolina if they were licensed as a Psychologist, licensed as a Psychological Associate (LPA), practicing under the supervision of a Psychologist or LPA, or otherwise exempt from the Practice Act.
In the 2010’s, behavior analysis advocates from across the state began working together to encourage the North Carolina General Assembly to pass legislation that would establish an independent path for licensure for behavior analysts in North Carolina. Support came from families who receive(d) applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapeutic services; ABA service providers; national advocacy organizations; and the state’s professional association, the North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis.
In May 2021, after more than a decade of advocacy, Governor Roy Cooper, signed the Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill (SB103) into law, establishing the first North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board.
Initial board appointments were made between September-October 2021 by the Speaker of the House, Tim Moore (one BCBA appointment); the Senate Pro Tempore, Phil Berger (one BCBA appointment); and Governor Cooper [one public member appointment, one BCBA appointment, and one Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) appointment].
Mission
The North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board issues professional licenses for the practice of behavior analysis in the State of NC. The Board sets the standard for behavior analysis licensure, serves to protect the public from the practice of behavior analysis by unqualified persons, and sanctions unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice behavior analysis in the state.