How to Become a BCBA® and Keep Growing with CEUs
If you feel called to support others through behavioral science, few careers are as rewarding, flexible, and growth-focused as becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). Whether you are just beginning or already working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), understanding how to become a BCBA® and how to keep growing through continuing education units (CEUs) is essential for long-term success and service.
Understanding the Role of a BCBA®
BCBAs® are master’s-level professionals who apply the science of behavior analysis to support meaningful change. They work in a wide variety of settings including homes, schools, clinics, communities, and organizational systems. The work includes conducting assessments, designing intervention plans, training others, and making ethical, data-informed decisions that improve lives.
At its core, the BCBA® role is about building autonomy, supporting dignity, and creating more equitable conditions for learning and living.
How to Become a BCBA®
1. Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) does not require a specific undergraduate major. However, degrees in psychology, education, social work, or other human services fields are common starting points. Early experience in support settings can help provide context for graduate study.
2. Complete a Master’s Degree in ABA or a Related Field
To qualify, you must complete a graduate program that either holds ABAI or APBA accreditation, or includes a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). Programs can be in ABA, psychology, education, or related disciplines. This coursework provides a foundation in the science and ethics of behavior change.
More on VCS and program requirements:
https://www.bacb.com/vcs-directory/
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BCBA-2027-Requirements-Transition-250609-a.pdf
3. Complete Supervised Fieldwork
Candidates must complete either:
- 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (standard), or
- 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork
Supervision requirements depend on the pathway and timeline. For those applying on or after January 1, 2027, concentrated supervision will shift from 10 percent to 7.5 percent. Monthly hour caps and tracking requirements will also change.
Learn more:
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BCBA-2027-Requirements-Transition-250609-a.pdf
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fieldwork-Checklist-and-Tip-Sheet-240205-a.pdf
4. Apply for and Pass the BCBA® Exam
Once coursework and fieldwork are complete, you can apply for the BCBA® exam. It includes 160 multiple-choice questions across content areas such as:
- Measurement and data interpretation
- Experimental design
- Behavior change procedures
- Ethics and professional conduct
- Supervision and personnel management
Effective preparation involves more than memorizing terms, it requires applying clinical reasoning and ethical decision-making.
5. Earn Certification and Begin Practicing
After passing the exam, you become a certified BCBA®. But certification is only the beginning. You will continue developing your skills through supervision, reflection, CEUs, and collaboration.
Continuing Your Growth With CEUs
Why CEUs Matter
BCBAs® must complete 32 CEUs every two years, including:
- 4 CEUs in ethics
- 3 CEUs in supervision (only if you supervise others)
CEUs help you stay informed, deepen your impact, and connect with emerging practices. They are more than a compliance requirement, they are an opportunity to reflect, grow, and contribute meaningfully.
CEU requirements:
https://www.bacb.com/continuing-education/
Make CEUs Meaningful
CEUs are most effective when they align with your values and challenges. To get the most from them:
- Engage with diverse voices that reflect a range of identities, cultures, and lived experiences
- Focus on real-world application and ethical decision-making
- Choose interactive formats like workshops, discussion groups, or cohort-based learning
- Stretch beyond your comfort zone by exploring new populations, modalities, or frameworks
2027 Changes: What Future BCBAs® Need to Know
If you are planning to qualify after January 1, 2027, be aware of upcoming changes from the BACB®:
- Coursework will increase from 225 to 270 instructional hours
- Coursework will now include freestanding courses in foundations, methods, assessment, and ethics
- Programs must be accredited or include a VCS under the updated guidelines
- Fieldwork supervision changes include modified observation percentages and duration-based tracking
- Monthly fieldwork caps remain the same, but documentation formats will change
See the 2027 transition guide:
https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BCBA-2027-Requirements-Transition-250609-a.pdf
Support Your Growth Through Community
Join the Do Better Collective
If you are looking for CEUs that challenge and inspire you, the Do Better Collective offers a full library of relevant, practitioner-centered content.
Here you will find:
- Engaging CEU courses in supervision, ethics, trauma-informed care, and more
- A community of behavior analysts, educators, and professionals committed to equity and evidence
- Live sessions and ongoing conversation around what it really means to do better in our work
Final Thoughts
Becoming a BCBA® is more than passing a test, it is committing to a career of learning, humility, and meaningful impact. Whether you are early in your journey or working to stay connected and current, you deserve support that meets you where you are and challenges you to grow.
If you are ready to learn in community and grow with intention, we invite you to step into the Do Better Collective.
Because better never ends and neither does your impact.
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