University of North Texas 
Important Information on Licensure for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Many states require licensure to practice Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is separate from BCBA certification. Please review your state’s licensing requirements before enrolling. Licensure requirements for practicing ABA vary by state and are subject to change. Licensing is different from certification. Even if you become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), you may not be able to practice without meeting state-specific licensure requirements. In addition, some states also regulate which programs qualify for licensure applications. Contact the state licensing authority to ensure you are informed of specific requirements, guidelines, and processes. Our online program offers asynchronous courses leading to a Master of Arts (MA) degree or a Graduate Academic Certificate (GAC) in Applied Behavior Analysis. Our program meets the current educational requirements for BACB exam eligibility. When combined with supervised fieldwork, graduates are eligible to take the national BCBA exam administered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). Please review Recent & Upcoming Changes to BACB Requirements to remain up to date.
Texas Eligibility: Obtaining BCBA certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) meets the criteria for Texas Licensed Behavior Analysts (TX-LBA). The table below provides information on whether the University of North Texas Master of Arts (MA) degree or the Graduate Academic Certificate (GAC) in Applied Behavior Analysis meets the licensure requirements for each state.
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States Where Our Program Meets Licensure Requirements |
States Requiring Additional Coursework or Different Programs (Does Not Meet Licensing Requirements) |
States without ABA Licensure Requirements |
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Master of Arts and Graduate Academic Certificate: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CT, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY |
Master of Arts: MD Graduate Academic Certificate: GA, MD, MA, NY, PA |
CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, MN, NH, NM, PA, SC, WV |
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Information reviewed and updated annually. Last updated: 12/10/2025 |
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Student Responsibility and Due Diligence
Students are responsible for ensuring compliance with licensure requirements. Students should remain proactive in monitoring updates as licensure laws are subject to change. We recommend reviewing the US Licensure of Behavior Analysts information on the BACB website that contains a repository of links to license authority websites for states where licensure is required. For specific program information, please refer to our Policies and Procedures.