Section 18.524. Criteria for licensure as behavior specialist

(a) An applicant for licensure as a behavior specialist shall satisfy the Board that the applicant is of good moral character and has received a master’s or higher degree from a Board-approved, accredited college or university, including a major course of study in at least one of the following:

(1) School, clinical, developmental or counseling psychology.

(2) Special education.

(3) Social work.

(4) Speech therapy.

(5) Occupational therapy.

(6) Professional counseling.

(7) Behavioral analysis.

(8) Nursing.

(9) Another related field.

(b) An applicant for licensure as a behavior specialist shall have at least 1 year of experience involving functional behavior assessments of individuals under 21 years of age, including the development and implementation of behavioral supports or treatment plans.

(c) An applicant for licensure as a behavior specialist shall have completed at least 1,000 hours of in-person clinical experience with individuals with behavioral challenges or at least 1,000 hours of experience in a related field with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

(d) An applicant for licensure as a behavior specialist shall have completed 90 hours of course work in evidence-based practices from an accredited college or university or training approved by the BACB or the BAS as follows:

(1) Three hours of professional ethics approved by the BAS.

(2) Eighteen hours of autism-specific coursework or training.

(3) Sixteen hours of assessments coursework or training.

(4) Sixteen hours of instructional strategies and best practices.

(5) Eight hours of crisis intervention.

(6) Eight hours of comorbidity and medications.

(7) Five hours of family collaboration.

(8) Sixteen hours of addressing specific skill deficits training.

(e) Coursework under this section may be attended face-to-face instructor-led or online distance education and include:

(1) Hours completed during a master’s degree, post-master’s certificate or higher program as noted in a course syllabus.

(2) BACB continuing education credits.

(3) BAS-approved training with associated tests and corresponding course evaluations.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 18.523 (relating to application for licensure as behavior specialist).