Washington Behavior Analyst Licensing

Washington regulates three levels of applied behavior analysis practitioners under chapter 18.380 RCW, administered by the Department of Health with an Applied Behavior Analysis Advisory Committee: the licensed behavior analyst (LBA), the licensed assistant behavior analyst (LABA) and the certified behavior technician (CBT). Most of chapter 18.380 took effect July 1, 2017. The detailed rules are in chapter 246-805 WAC.

The technician credential is what sets Washington apart. In most licensing states, RBTs work as exempt paraprofessionals. In Washington, RCW 18.380.020(2) says "no person may practice as a certified behavior technician in this state without having a certification issued by the secretary," unless an exemption applies. Agencies that move into Washington have to credential their technicians, not just their BCBAs.

What does a BCBA need for a Washington LBA?

RCW 18.380.050 lists education, classroom hours, supervised experience and an exam, but subsection (3) lets the department "accept certification by a national accredited professional credentialing entity in lieu of" those specific requirements. WAC 246-805-100 puts that into practice. An LBA applicant submits the fees and application plus proof of:

• "Current certification equivalent to a licensed behavior analyst from a professional credentialing entity," with verification "sent directly to the department from the professional credentialing entity"; or
• The full set of statutory requirements: a recognized master's or doctorate, at least 225 classroom hours of graduate instruction in listed topics, supervised experience and a national exam, each shown by official transcripts and other documents.

A "professional credentialing entity" is one the department approves under WAC 246-805-025, which requires current NCCA or ANSI accreditation and qualifications that meet Washington's. For a BCBA, the practical step is asking the BACB to send verification to the Department of Health. A letter you forward yourself does not meet the rule. All applicants must also show good moral character, no unprofessional conduct as defined in RCW 18.130.180, no pending disciplinary proceedings, and the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

How much do Washington credentials cost?

WAC 246-805-990 sets nonrefundable fees:

• LBA: $250 application and initial license (original or reciprocity), $350 renewal, $175 late renewal penalty, $50 temporary license, $25 verification of license.
• LABA: $160 application and initial license, $175 renewal, $90 late penalty.
• CBT: $95 application and initial certification, $150 renewal, $75 late penalty.

All three credentials renew every two years on your birthday.

How does reciprocity work in Washington?

RCW 18.380.090 allows licensure for someone licensed in another state or a Canadian province if the department finds that state's standards "substantially equivalent." WAC 246-805-510 sets the paperwork:

1. Fees and the application.
2. A verification form from a substantially equivalent state showing the credential is current, "active, unrestricted and is not subject to denial or issuance of a conditional or restricted credential."
3. Verification forms "from all other states in which the applicant is currently, or was previously credentialed."

Item 3 is where files stall. Every credential you have ever held, including one you let lapse years ago, needs a verification. For a BCBA with current certification, the certification route under WAC 246-805-100 may be simpler than reciprocity; the right choice depends on what else is in your history. See BCBA license by endorsement and license verifications for behavior analysts.

Is there a temporary license for nonresidents?

Yes, for LBAs. RCW 18.380.080 lets the department grant a temporary license to someone who does not live in Washington and is licensed in another state or Canadian province. WAC 246-805-520 fills in the details:

• You must hold an active, unrestricted LBA-level credential from another state, with no pending investigation or restriction.
• There must be no violations in the Washington criminal background check, and the department must receive a completed FBI fingerprint card.
• You submit the fee, the application, verification from at least one state where you are licensed, and verifications from all other states where you are or were licensed.
• The temporary license allows practice "within the full scope of practice" for 180 days from issue. It "will not be renewed, reissued, or extended."

That makes it a bridge while a full application is pending, not a way to serve Washington clients long term. Compare other states in temporary practice rules.

What about the assistant license and the technician certification?

An LABA needs a bachelor's degree, 135 classroom hours and 1,000 hours of supervised experience under RCW 18.380.050(1)(b), or an equivalent national certification. Both LABA and CBT applicants must "provide proof of ongoing supervision by a licensed behavior analyst" (RCW 18.380.050(2)).

A CBT applicant under WAC 246-805-300 submits proof of being at least 18, a high school diploma or equivalent, either a current technician registration or certification from a credentialing entity (verified directly by that entity) or completion of a Washington-approved training program, and "the name of the clinical supervisor." An RBT credential can count toward the training element if it comes from an entity the department approves; either way, the Washington certification is a separate credential with its own fee and renewal. Our post on Washington's certified behavior technician credential covers the CBT in depth.

Does Washington require its own CE?

Every two years, an LBA either maintains a certification that requires CE, such as the BCBA, or completes 32 hours of CE related to ABA, with at least 20 addressing skill development and current clinical practice, at least 4 on ethics and boundaries, and no more than 8 on business practice (WAC 246-805-401). LABAs have a parallel 20-hour rule (WAC 246-805-402). On top of either route, both must complete two hours of health equity CE every four years. Keep records for four years. A CBT maintains a credentialing-entity certification or gets a skills assessment from a supervisor within 90 days before renewal (WAC 246-805-410).

The health equity hours are the requirement out-of-state BCBAs miss, because the BACB does not require them. See CE requirements across states.

Who is exempt?

RCW 18.380.030 exempts other Washington credential holders practicing within their own scope, federal employees, school employees within their regular duties, students in a defined program, people pursuing supervised experience, family members implementing a plan under a licensee, and behavior analysts working only with organizations or nonhumans. Behavioral techniques used alone are not the practice of applied behavior analysis under RCW 18.380.010.

How do we help with Washington licensing?

Washington files have more third-party pieces than most: direct verification from the BACB, verifications from every state you have held a credential in, and, for agencies, a technician certification for each RBT. We prepare, organize and track them. You review, sign and submit each application yourself. The BACB has warned that letting another person or entity complete a licensure application on your behalf "may be a violation of state law," and we never ask for your Department of Health login.

License by Endorsement is $599 per state, a Full State License Application is $749, the Assistant Behavior Analyst License is $399, and Behavior Technician Registration is $149 per technician. Department fees are separate. See pricing and the Washington state page.