ABA licensure in Connecticut: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Connecticut generally requires a Department of Public Health (DPH) license to practice behavior analysis, subject to the exemptions in Section 20-185j(c). Licensed behavior analysts renew annually and must show current Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification. The exemptions include assistant behavior analysts working under a behavior analyst's supervision in accordance with BACB standards. People implementing an intervention based on behavior analysis under a behavior analyst's supervision are also exempt.
What the law says
Confirm with the Connecticut Department of Public Health before you rely on this.
Connecticut's behavior analyst law is Chapter 382a of the Connecticut General Statutes (Sections 20-185i to 20-185m). The licensing duty:
"No person may practice behavior analysis unless licensed pursuant to section 20-185k or 20-185l."
The title is protected:
"No person may use the title "behavior analyst" or make use of any title, words, letters or abbreviations that may reasonably be confused with licensure as a behavior analyst unless such person is licensed pursuant to section 20-185k or 20-185l."
The statute defines the practice this way:
""Behavior analysis" means the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modifications, using behavior stimuli and consequences, including the use of direct observation, measurement and functional analysis of the relationship between the environment and behavior, to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, but does not include: (A) Psychological testing, (B) neuropsychology, (C) cognitive therapy, (D) sex therapy, (E) psychoanalysis, (F) hypnotherapy, (G) cognitive behavioral therapy, (H) psychotherapy, or (I) long-term counseling as treatment modalities;"
The licensing requirement does not apply to everyone. Section 20-185j(c) says it "shall not apply to a person who" does any of the following:
"(1) provides behavior analysis or assists in the practice of behavior analysis while acting within the scope of practice of the person's license or certification and training, provided the person does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a behavior analyst, (2) is a student enrolled in a behavior analysis educational program accredited by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or a graduate education program in which behavior analysis is an integral part of the student's course of study and such student is performing such behavior analysis or assisting in behavior analysis under the direct supervision of a behavior analyst, (3) is an instructor in a course approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, (4) is an assistant behavior analyst working under the supervision of a behavior analyst in accordance with the standards established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, (5) implements an intervention based on behavior analysis under the supervision of a behavior analyst, or (6) is a family member, guardian or caretaker implementing a behavior analysis treatment plan under the direction of a behavior analyst."
The Commissioner of Public Health may discipline a licensed behavior analyst for reasons listed in Section 20-185m, including "(1) Failure to conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit in obtaining or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice behavior analysis;"
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 382a, Sections 20-185i to 20-185m (Connecticut General Assembly).
How to get licensed
The statute says:
"The Commissioner of Public Health shall grant a license as a behavior analyst to any applicant who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant is certified as a behavior analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The commissioner shall develop and provide application forms. The application fee shall be three hundred fifty dollars."
DPH's licensing requirements page says that "an applicant must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)." Applicants must arrange for DPH to receive verification of BCBA certification, which DPH verifies online. An applicant who holds or has held a behavior analyst license in another state must also have that state send verification directly to DPH: "The purpose of the verification is to document that the applicant has not been the subject of any type of disciplinary action." DPH says it will not do those verifications online. "Applications are only accepted online." DPH lists the application fee as $350.
A person who is not eligible under Section 20-185k may apply by endorsement under Section 20-185l. That person must present evidence that the applicant "is licensed or certified as a behavior analyst, or as a person entitled to perform similar services under a different designation, in another state or jurisdiction that has requirements for practicing in such capacity that are substantially similar to, or higher than, those of this state and that there are no disciplinary actions or unresolved complaints pending."
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. Sections 20-185k and 20-185l; DPH, Behavior Analyst Licensing Requirements.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
Chapter 382a, as reviewed here, sets no state license for assistant behavior analysts. The statute defines an assistant behavior analyst as "a person who has been certified as an assistant behavior analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to assist in the practice of behavior analysis under the supervision of a behavior analyst." That person is among those the licensing requirement does not apply to (Section 20-185j(c)(4)).
The law also protects the BCaBA title. Section 20-185i(b) says no person, "unless certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board as a board certified assistant behavior analyst," may use the words "board certified assistant behavior analyst" or "certified assistant behavior analyst," or the letters "BCABA". The statute makes a violation a class D felony.
Neither Chapter 382a nor the DPH licensing requirements page reviewed here identifies a separate license or registration for RBTs or behavior technicians. Section 20-185j(c)(5) exempts a person who "implements an intervention based on behavior analysis under the supervision of a behavior analyst".
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. Sections 20-185i and 20-185j.
Renewal and state-required training
Section 20-185k(b) sets the renewal rules:
"A license issued under this section may be renewed annually. The license shall be renewed in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88, for a fee of one hundred eighty dollars for applications for renewal of licenses that expire on or after October 1, 2021. Each behavior analyst applying for license renewal shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the commissioner of (1) having current certification with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and (2) on and after January 1, 2022, completing not less than two hours of training or education, offered or approved by the Connecticut Association for Behavior Analysis, a hospital or other licensed health care institution or a regionally accredited institution of higher education, on (A) screening for post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (B) suicide prevention training, during the first renewal period and not less than once every six years thereafter."
The statute adds that the suicide prevention training "may be satisfied by the completion of the evidence-based youth suicide prevention training program administered pursuant to section 17a-52a." Renewal is annual and requires current BACB certification. On and after January 1, 2022, renewal applicants must document at least two hours of training or education covering both topic areas above, offered or approved by an entity specified in the statute, during the first renewal period and at least once every six years thereafter. We did not find an hours-based CE requirement in Chapter 382a beyond that.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 20-185k.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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.