ABA licensure by state: does your state require a license?
The short answer
Many US states license behavior analysts, but not all of them do, and the rules differ on who must hold a license and what the law covers. We read the rules for 52 jurisdictions, the 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Find yours below.
Find your state
Each page says what the law says, who it covers, how to get licensed and how renewal works. The table is only a summary, so read your state's page before you rely on it. Your BACB certification is national; a state license is separate.
| State | What we found |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes: license |
| Alaska | Yes: license |
| Arizona | Yes: license |
| Arkansas | Registration; title protected |
| California | No license found |
| Colorado | License required from July 1, 2028 |
| Connecticut | Yes: license |
| Delaware | No separate license found; see the page |
| District of Columbia | Law enacted 2024; rules not yet adopted (Board minutes 9/25/2026) |
| Florida | No license found |
| Georgia | Yes: license |
| Hawaii | Yes: license |
| Idaho | No license found |
| Illinois | Yes: license |
| Indiana | Yes: license |
| Iowa | Yes: license |
| Kansas | Yes: license |
| Kentucky | Yes: license |
| Louisiana | Yes: license |
| Maine | No license found |
| Maryland | Yes: license |
| Massachusetts | Yes: license; title protected |
| Michigan | Yes: license |
| Minnesota | Yes: license |
| Mississippi | Yes: license |
| Missouri | Yes: license |
| Montana | Yes: license; title protected |
| Nebraska | Yes: license |
| Nevada | Yes: license |
| New Hampshire | No license found |
| New Jersey | Yes: license |
| New Mexico | Not established; see the page |
| New York | Yes: license |
| North Carolina | Yes: license |
| North Dakota | Yes: license |
| Ohio | State certification |
| Oklahoma | Yes: license |
| Oregon | Yes: license |
| Pennsylvania | Behavior specialist license; who must hold it not established |
| Puerto Rico | No license found |
| Rhode Island | Yes: license; title protected |
| South Carolina | No license found |
| South Dakota | Yes: license |
| Tennessee | Yes: license |
| Texas | Yes: license |
| Utah | Yes: license |
| Vermont | Yes: license |
| Virginia | Yes: license |
| Washington | Yes: license |
| West Virginia | No license found; related rules |
| Wisconsin | Yes: license; title protected |
| Wyoming | Yes: license |
How we check
Every state page quotes the state's own law, rule or licensing board, and gives the date we last reviewed it. A state with no license says so, and says what we searched. Laws and fees change, so confirm with the state's licensing agency before you rely on what you read here. This is general information, not legal advice.
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.