Missouri Behavior Analyst Licensing

Missouri has licensed behavior analysts since 2010 under RSMo 337.300 to 337.347. The licenses are issued through the Behavior Analyst Advisory Board, which sits within the State Committee of Psychologists, and the board's rules are at 20 CSR 2063. Missouri issues six credentials in all: the licensed behavior analyst (LBA) and licensed assistant behavior analyst (LaBA), provisional versions of each, and temporary versions of each.

Practicing applied behavior analysis without one of those credentials or a statutory exemption violates RSMo 337.315, and a violation of the licensing law is a class A misdemeanor (RSMo 337.335). Fees received for unlicensed services must be refunded.

What does Missouri require for an LBA?

RSMo 337.315.2 and rule 20 CSR 2063-2.005 list the pieces:

1. A completed application, "typewritten or printed in black ink, signed, and notarized," including a statement that you completed two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment and management training.
2. The fee.
3. A recent passport-style head-and-shoulders photograph; the statute says it must be taken no more than six months before you apply.
4. Proof that you submitted fingerprints to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's approved vendor for both a highway patrol and an FBI background check. You pay the fingerprint fees.
5. Proof that you passed the exam and are certified as a BCBA, and proof of active status.
6. Verification of every behavior analyst license you hold in another state, "received by the board directly from the issuing state agency."

The suicide prevention statement surprises many out-of-state applicants. It is a Missouri requirement on both the application and every renewal, so keep the certificate.

What does the assistant license require?

The same items at the BCaBA level, plus "documentation satisfactory to the committee that the applicant will be directly supervised by a licensed behavior analyst" (RSMo 337.315.3). Under 20 CSR 2063-5.005, a LaBA "may only perform services under the direct supervision of a behavior analyst." Supervision must include consultation before any treatment plan starts or changes, must be "more than peer review or co-signature," and the supervisor or a designee must be available for immediate consultation. The supervising LBA must be BACB-certified, free of discipline, and have at least one year of experience as a licensed behavior analyst. A new Missouri LBA cannot supervise a LaBA right away. See supervision rules for licensed assistant behavior analysts.

How much do Missouri licenses cost?

Rule 20 CSR 2063-1.015 sets the fees, payable to the State Committee of Psychologists:

• Application, behavior analyst or assistant: $150.
• Biennial renewal: $300.
• Late renewal, on top of the renewal fee: $150.
• Inactive renewal: $100. Inactive reactivation: $200.
• Verification of license: $25.

All fees are nonrefundable. Fingerprint vendor fees are separate.

Is there a temporary license for someone licensed elsewhere?

Yes, and it is one of the more useful ones. Under RSMo 337.315.4, the committee may issue a temporary license to an LBA or LaBA applicant on receipt of a complete application, the fee, and "a showing of valid licensure as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst in another state," as long as you have submitted fingerprints and no disqualifying history appears on the Family Care Safety Registry. It expires when the license is issued or denied, but no later than 90 days from issue, and you are entitled to one 90-day extension on written request.

Missouri does not have a separate endorsement track. A licensee from another state files the regular application, with verifications from every state where they hold a license, and can use the temporary license while it is reviewed. See BCBA license by endorsement and temporary practice rules.

Is a provisional license the same as a temporary one?

A provisional license under RSMo 337.315.5 is for applicants who meet the other requirements but have not yet passed the exam and become BACB-certified. It "shall only authorize and permit the licensee to render behavior analysis under the supervision and the full professional responsibility and control of such licensee's licensed supervisor," and it ends when a permanent license issues, when supervision ends, on discipline, or after one year. It can be renewed for a maximum issuance of two years. For billing under Missouri's autism insurance law, services by provisional and temporary licensees "shall be billed by the supervising licensed behavior analyst" (RSMo 337.347).

When do Missouri licenses renew?

On a fixed statewide cycle. Rule 20 CSR 2063-2.010 refers to renewal by October 31 of each odd-numbered year for behavior analysts and November 30 of each odd-numbered year for assistants, so the next deadlines are October 31, 2027 and November 30, 2027. Renewal under RSMo 337.320 requires:

• The application, with a statement that you completed two hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment and management training.
• The fee.
• "Proof of active certification and fulfillment of all requirements for renewal and recertification with the certifying entity."

Missouri relies on BACB recertification rather than a separate state CE count. If you do not provide the renewal documentation, the statute says the license is revoked "after a period of sixty days from the renewal date," and the rule says you may not practice after that 60-day window. Within two years you can restore the license with the renewal and delinquent fees and proof of certification. See BACB recertification and state license renewal.

Who is exempt in Missouri?

RSMo 337.315.7 lists who may practice: licensees of each type, people with a qualifying degree and coursework obtaining supervised field experience under an LBA, and licensed psychologists within their training. Subsection 8 lets "any licensed or certified professional" practice components of ABA within their own scope. Subsection 11 exempts people providing services under IDEA or Section 504, and students providing ABA as part of supervised clinical experience. Missouri has no technician license. Agencies employing RBTs should confirm with the board how their staffing model fits these provisions before expanding. See do RBTs need a state license or registration?

How do we help with a Missouri license?

We prepare, organize and track: the notarized application packet, the photo, the highway patrol fingerprint vendor appointment, the suicide prevention training certificate, BACB proof and direct verifications from your other states, plus the temporary license request if you need to start sooner. You review, sign before a notary and submit. The BACB has warned that letting another person or entity complete a licensure application on your behalf "may be a violation of state law."

License by Endorsement is $599 per state, the Full State License Application is $749, and the Assistant Behavior Analyst License is $399. Board and fingerprint fees are separate. See pricing and the Missouri state page.