In this lesson, you will learn about the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The BACB is the world-leading body in ABA certification. You can watch the video, or alternatively, read the transcript below.
Background
Understanding the role of the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) requires understanding the role and history of the certifying body ? the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
The first documented attempts to use the principles of behaviour analysis to address practical problems occurred in the late 1950?s. Over the following decades, interest in applying these principles from organisations and individuals dramatically increased. There was also an increase in the number of people who had received some sort of training in ABA.
The increased attempts to apply behaviour analysis to socially important problems met with a great deal of success. However, there were also examples of ABA principles being applied to behaviours that were not important to or for a client and examples of unethical practices being used on vulnerable people (e.g. corporal punishment). There were also examples of people confusing other harmful practices with ABA. There was substantial confusion about what constituted ABA, what constituted ethical ABA and who was qualified to provide different services. While some existing professionals, such as teachers and psychologists, might receive some training in behaviour analysis, it was also possible to become certified as a teacher or a psychologist without ever undergoing any substantial training in behaviour analysis, and/or to pass a course without answering any questions on ABA correctly. It was against this background, that early attempts were made to accredit training courses and professionals.
The BACB was formed in 1998. Its mission is to ?protect consumers of behavior analysis services worldwide by systematically establishing, promoting, and disseminating professional standards?. It seeks to protect consumers from individuals who are not qualified to provide ABA services by setting training and competency standards.
Board Certified Behavior Analysis and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts
To apply to become a BCBA, an applicant must have at least a master?s degree and have completed 270 hours of graduate-level instruction on the principles and practice of behaviour analysis. This includes a minimum of 45 hours on ethical and professional conduct. In addition, an applicant will typically need to be able to document 1,500 hours of independent fieldwork supervised by a BCBA.
To apply to become a BCaBA, an applicant must have at least a bachelor?s degree and must also have undergone 180 hours of undergraduate or graduate level instruction related to the principles and practice of behaviour analysis. This includes a minimum of 15 hours on ethical and professional conduct. A BCaBA applicant is also typically required to have undergone 1,000 hours of independent fieldwork supervised by a BCBA.
Once a BCBA or BCaBA applicant can demonstrate the above requirements, they must then pass the related examination offered by the BACB. Only once all of these requirements have been met, is a behaviour analyst or assistant behaviour analyst considered ?Board Certified?.
Once certified, a BCBA or BCaBA must undergo continuous education to maintain their credential. A certificant who fails to adhere to the BACB?s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts may lose their credential.
Tiered Service Delivery
Many ABA service providers use a tiered service delivery model where the Behavior Analyst designs and supervises a treatment program delivered by Behavioral Technicians. Research indicates that such tiered service delivery models are an effective and socially valid means of ensuring that consumers receive effective support.
In our next lesson, you will learn about the BACB?s Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential and the role of the RBT in ABA service delivery.