Do you need a license to practice ABA in California? What California law says
The short answer
We found no California license for behavior analysts in Division 2 (Healing Arts) of the Business and Professions Code, the division that holds the state's health professions. Chapter 17 of that division, effective January 1, 2026, defines "qualified autism service provider" and two related terms, but it sets up no behavior analyst license. Confirm with the California Department of Consumer Affairs before you rely on this.
What we found
On October 30, 2026, we read the chapter list of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code on the California Legislature's site. It has chapters for psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed educational psychologists, social workers and licensed professional clinical counselors, among others. It has no chapter for behavior analysts. The Department of Consumer Affairs' list of its boards and bureaus names no behavior analyst board either.
The one chapter of Division 2 about this field is Chapter 17, "Qualified Autism Service Providers," added in 2025 by Senate Bill 402. It defines three terms and goes no further. It has no application, fee, renewal rule or title restriction.
We did not search California's other codes, the California Code of Regulations or pending bills, so this page covers Division 2 only.
Source: California Business and Professions Code, Division 2, chapter list; Chapter 17, sections 4999.200 to 4999.202; California Department of Consumer Affairs, boards and bureaus.
What California does have
Chapter 17 defines who counts at each of three levels.
Provider. A person can meet the definition through national certification or a California license:
"(a) Is certified by a national entity, such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, with a certification that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies who designs, supervises, or provides treatment for pervasive developmental disorder or autism, provided the services are within the experience and competence of the individual who is nationally certified."
The second route, section 4999.200(b), covers people licensed under Division 2 in listed professions, such as psychologists, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, who design, supervise or provide this treatment within their experience and competence.
Professional. Section 4999.201 defines a "qualified autism service professional." This person provides behavioral health treatment under a qualified autism service provider's supervision and a treatment plan that provider developed and approved. One route to this level is meeting the education and experience qualifications in Section 54342 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations for roles such as Associate Behavior Analyst and Behavior Management Assistant.
Paraprofessional. Section 4999.202 covers staff such as technicians:
"“Qualified autism service paraprofessional” means an unlicensed and uncertified individual who meets all of the following criteria:"
The criteria include supervision by a provider or professional, working from a treatment plan the provider developed and approved, and meeting the education and training qualifications in Section 54342. The person must also be employed by the provider or by an entity or group that employs providers.
Source: Chapter 17, sections 4999.200 to 4999.202.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in California and need new technicians or aides trained in the basics, this is what our Intro to ABA Level 1 course covers.
The Intro to ABA Level 1 course teaches methods and techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for parents and caregivers, teachers, paraprofessionals and behavior technicians who work with a child every day. Topics include what autism is, what ABA is, pairing, errorless teaching and prompting, and active student responding. Complete the course and pass its 40-question final exam with a score of at least 80%. Completing this course earns a Special Learning certificate of completion. That certificate is not a continuing education (CE) certificate. It is basic training in ABA methods for daily practice, not a professional credential. It is not the 40-hour training required for the RBT credential. We do not claim California state approval or continuing education credit for this course.
Two ways to start
- For one person: try the first two sessions free for 7 days; account creation is required, with no payment information requested. The full course costs $199, paid once, with no subscription or recurring charge. Activate your license code within 90 days of purchase; the published completion window is 10 weeks after activation. You may request a later start date, no later than three months after purchase. Start the free sessions
- For your team: tell us how many people need training and when, and we will send a quote; each participant who completes the course and passes its 40-question final exam with a score of at least 80% earns an individual certificate of completion. Ask for a team quote
Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.