License Verifications for Behavior Analysts

Every new state wants proof of your BACB certification and of each license you already hold, usually sent straight from the source. New York refuses a BACB letter that comes from you. Washington wants verifications from every state you have ever been credentialed in. Here is who sends what, and what it costs.

A behavior analyst applying in a new state usually needs two kinds of verification. One proves your BACB certification. The other proves the status of every state license you hold or once held. Most boards want both to come from the source, not from you, and a verification that arrives from the wrong sender is one of the quieter ways an application stalls.

How do you verify BACB certification?

The BACB offers two things that people confuse. Anyone may order a written verification of a certificant's current status for $25 per verification; the BACB emails it as a PDF containing the information shown on its public registry. Separately, a certificant can print an on-demand verification report from their BACB portal account, but only while the certification is active (BCBA Handbook, updated June 2026).

Which one a board accepts is the board's choice, and some are strict about delivery:

New York requires a BACB verification letter for licensure under Pathway Two, sent to DPLSVerif@nysed.gov. The Office of the Professions says: "We will not accept this letter from you or any other party." A self-printed portal report will not work.
Washington requires that verification of credentialing-entity certification "be sent directly to the department from the professional credentialing entity" (WAC 246-805-100 and 246-805-300). The Department of Health's FAQ adds that applicants need not send BACB documents unless asked, because the department verifies the certification from the number on the application.
Oregon asks applicants to "arrange for proof of certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Inc. ... to be sent in from the BACB to the Office" (Health Licensing Office; OAR 824-030-0010).
Texas verifies certification itself and does not need proof of education or exam results submitted, according to TDLR, though it may ask for them.
Virginia requires verification of certification and, separately, "verification from the BACB on disciplinary action taken or pending by that body" (18VAC85-150-50).

Which state licenses do you need to verify?

This is where people under-count. Rules we have read:

Washington (reciprocity): a verification from a state with substantially equivalent requirements showing a current, unrestricted credential, plus verification forms "from all other states in which the applicant is currently, or was previously credentialed" (WAC 246-805-510).
Oregon: an affidavit of licensure "from any state where the individual holds or has held a license as a behavior analyst whether the license is active or inactive" (OAR 824-030-0010).
Illinois (applicants licensed elsewhere): a Certification of Licensure from the other state showing status, dates and any discipline. IDFPR accepts a printout if the other board only offers online verification, and if the other board will only send directly, you upload evidence that you ordered it (IDFPR, Qualifications for Licensure, 152).
Virginia: for initial licensure, verification that no discipline has been taken or is pending in any jurisdiction where you are licensed or certified (18VAC85-150-50); for endorsement, evidence of a current active license in good standing and a current National Practitioner Data Bank report (18VAC85-150-51).
Nevada (endorsement): proof that you have not been disciplined or investigated by any state where you currently hold or have held a behavior analyst license, or by the BACB (NRS 641D.340).

A license from a short contract years ago still counts in Washington and Oregon. List every one before you start.

What do verifications cost?

Fees are set by the board that sends the verification, so they depend on where you are licensed now. From fee rules we have read: Washington charges $25 for a verification of a license (WAC 246-805-990); Virginia $10 for a letter of good standing or verification to another jurisdiction (18VAC85-150-40); Louisiana $15 for a license verification (board rule 305); Nevada $15 for a letter of good standing (NAC 641D.200); Oregon $50 for an affidavit of licensure (OAR 824-020-0040). The BACB charges $25. Amounts change, so confirm with the sending board.

Why do verifications get stuck?

Wrong sender. New York and Washington want the document from the source.
Wrong document. A portal printout where a BACB letter is required, or a good standing letter where a board wants its own form.
A forgotten license. An inactive license still needs verification in Oregon and Washington.
A name mismatch. The BACB requires government documentation for name changes and asks certificants to update personal information within 30 days (BCBA Handbook). A verification under an old name may need explaining.
A lapsed BACB certification. The portal report is not available once certification has expired.

Who orders the verifications when we prepare a file?

For every application we prepare, we list each license you hold or have held, find each board's verification process and fee, give you the request forms filled out for signature, and track arrival at the new board. Verification requests are made in your name; we do not use your BACB or board portal login. License by Endorsement is $599 per state and a Full State License Application is $749 per state; state and BACB fees are separate. See BCBA license by endorsement, why ABA applications take as long as they do, and our sister site's explainer on primary source verification, which payers use too.

Common questions

Can I print my BACB verification and send it to the board myself?

Sometimes, but not always. New York says it will not accept the BACB letter from you or any other party; it must come from the BACB to the department's verification address. Washington and Oregon also want verification sent from the BACB.

Do I need to verify an inactive behavior analyst license?

In some states, yes. Oregon asks for an affidavit of licensure from any state where you hold or have held a license, active or inactive, and Washington asks for verifications from every state where you are or were credentialed.

How much does a BACB verification letter cost?

The BACB's handbooks list $25 per verification, delivered as an emailed PDF. A certificant with an active certification can also print a verification report from the BACB portal at no charge, but some boards will not accept it.

Why does Virginia want a National Practitioner Data Bank report?

Virginia's endorsement rule, 18VAC85-150-51, lists a current NPDB report among the required documents, along with proof of a current active license in good standing elsewhere and verification of certification.