QABA and BACB Credentials in State Licensing

The BACB is not the only organization that certifies ABA practitioners. The Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA) issues three credentials: the Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT), the Qualified Autism Services Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S), and the Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA). QABA describes itself as "internationally accredited through ANSI."

Whether a QABA credential gets you a state license depends entirely on the state's law. Some laws name the BACB alone. Others define the certifying body by its accreditation, which leaves room for a second certifier, and at least one state has formally approved QABA.

How does Texas treat QABA?

Texas is the clearest case. Its law defines the "certifying entity" as "the nationally accredited Behavior Analyst Certification Board or another entity that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies or the American National Standards Institute to issue credentials in the professional practice of applied behavior analysis and approved by the department" (Tex. Occ. Code 506.002(2)).

On December 6, 2024, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation voted to approve QABA as a certifying entity under that definition. From that date, according to TDLR:

• a current Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) may apply for a Texas behavior analyst license, and
• a current Qualified Autism Services Practitioner Supervisor (QASP-S) may apply for a Texas assistant behavior analyst license.

TDLR's application page now lists the QBA alongside the BCBA and BCBA-D as qualifying certifications, and the QASP-S alongside the BCaBA. The rest of the Texas process is the same for both: no Texas exam, a criminal history check, compliance with the certifier's ethical and disciplinary standards, and, for assistants, compliance with the certifier's supervision requirements "at all times." See getting a Texas behavior analyst license.

Which other states leave the door open?

Several laws use accreditation-based language without, as far as we can confirm, a published decision on QABA:

• Georgia requires passing a behavior analyst exam from the BACB "or another entity that conducts programs to certify professional practitioners of behavior analysis that are accredited by the National Commission on Certifying Agencies, or the American National Standards Institute as identified by the board," and maintaining active status with such a certifier (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 75-5-.01). The phrase "as identified by the board" means the board decides.
• Alaska requires current certification by the BACB "or another certifying entity approved by the department," and renews on the same basis (Alaska Stat. 08.15.020 and 08.15.040).
• Ohio requires current BCBA certification "or demonstrate completion of equivalent requirements and passage of a psychometrically valid examination administered by a nationally accredited credentialing organization" (Ohio Rev. Code 4783.04(A)(4)).

QABA's own State Recognition and Licensure page lists North Carolina and Texas as recognizing both the QBA and QASP-S for licensure, Alaska as recognizing the QBA, and Colorado's new law (HB26-1425) as recognizing both. It also lists Medicaid recognition of the ABAT in Utah, North Carolina and Colorado. Those are QABA's statements; confirm each with the board or Medicaid agency, as QABA itself advises, before relying on them. Colorado is not issuing licenses yet.

Where does only the BCBA work?

New York's certification-based route is explicit. Its Pathway Two lets applicants apply for a licensed behavior analyst license on national board certification, but the Office of the Professions adds: "To apply using this pathway, you must hold a Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification with BACB." A QBA would need New York's other pathway, which requires a degree from a New York-registered or equivalent ABA program, documented experience and an exam. See getting a New York LBA license.

California's coverage law, which is not a licensing law, defines qualified autism service providers partly by certification from a national entity "such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board" that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (Cal. Health and Safety Code 1374.73). Whether a given certifier meets that NCCA test is a question for the payer.

The BACB's Regulatory Brief says all 40 licensing states offer a pathway for BCBAs and all 31 assistant-licensing states offer one for BCaBAs. It does not count QABA pathways.

Does it matter for supervision and technicians?

Yes. Texas requires a licensed assistant to follow "the applicable supervision requirements of the certifying entity," so a QASP-S follows QABA's supervision rules and a BCaBA follows the BACB's. Mixed teams need to track which rules apply to whom. Technician exemptions in most licensing states do not depend on the technician's certifier; they depend on working under a licensee. Where Medicaid requires a technician credential, the program's own rules decide which certifications count; Texas Medicaid, for example, requires behavior technicians to be "registered or certified as a BT under this subchapter" (1 Tex. Admin. Code 354.5011).

Which credential should you pursue?

If you already hold a credential, the question is simply which states accept it for what you need. If you are early in your career, look at where you expect to practice. The BCBA has a pathway in every licensing state; a QBA has a confirmed licensing pathway in Texas and possible routes elsewhere. Our state license index notes what each state requires, and our post on certification versus a state license explains why a certification, from either body, does not replace the state license.

We prepare license applications for BCBAs, BCaBAs and, in Texas, QABA certificants on the same model: we build and track the package; you review, sign and submit. A Full State License Application is $749 per state and an Assistant Behavior Analyst License is $399 per state. White Glove ABA is not affiliated with QABA or the BACB. See pricing.