ABA licensure in Indiana: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Indiana issues Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) licenses through IPLA's Behavior Analyst Licensing Board. Both require BACB certification, a criminal background check and an application fee. IPLA says it does not issue RBT certifications and directs applicants to the BACB; its listed licenses do not include an RBT license. Confirm with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency before you rely on this.
What the law says
On October 30, 2026, we read the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's own pages for behavior analysts. IPLA names the governing law as Indiana Code Article 25-8.5 and the board rules as 844 IAC 21. Indiana's code websites would not load the statute and rule text for us, so this page quotes IPLA's wording and the citations IPLA gives, not the statute itself.
IPLA's licensing page lists the licenses the Behavior Analyst Licensing Board grants as Licensed Behavior Analyst, Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst and Continuing Education Provider - Behavior Analyst. On the BACB requirement it says:
"Yes, per IC 25-8.5-3-1 and IC 25-8.5-3-2 you must have your certification by the BACB for your Behavior Analyst or Behavior Analyst Assistant license."
On the two continuing education topics Indiana adds, IPLA says:
"In accordance with 844 IAC 21-3-1, each licensee shall complete the following continuing education units: (1) one (1) continuing education (CE) unit in trauma informed care; and (2) one (1) CE unit in either of the following: (A) Abuse and neglect. (B) Mandatory reporting."
Source: IPLA, Behavior Analyst Licensing Information; IPLA, Behavior Analyst Licensing Board.
How to get licensed
IPLA lists these steps for a Licensed Behavior Analyst applying by application:
- Be certified as a BCBA by the BACB, in good standing. IPLA says: "The only information required from the applicant is your certification number which is required during the online application process."
- Pay the application fee of $100.00. IPLA says: "All fees are nonrefundable and/or nontransferable. Online processing fees apply."
- Complete a criminal background check.
- If you answer "Yes" to any question on the application, send a full statement with court documents. IPLA says background checks "are reviewed on a case by case basis."
- Send documentation of any legal name change, if your name differs from your documents.
Applicants who already hold a license in another state or territory with similar education, experience and certification can apply by reciprocity. The fee is $75.00. IPLA also asks for a statement of your scope of practice in each other state and verification of licensure from the state that issued it. IPLA says: "Copies of license cards from other jurisdictions are not accepted as proof of verification of licensure."
IPLA says transcripts are not required. Exams for BACB certification are scheduled through the BACB. If an application is not complete within one year of filing, IPLA says it is abandoned and a later application is treated as new.
Fees on IPLA's schedule for behavior analysts:
| Item | Fee | Penalty | Total | |---|---|---|---| | Application | $100.00 | none | $100.00 | | Reciprocity application | $75.00 | none | $75.00 | | Renewal, before December 31 of an odd-numbered year | $100.00 | none | $100.00 | | Renewal, expired less than 3 years | $100.00 | $50.00 | $150.00 | | Reinstatement | $100.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 |
Source: IPLA, Behavior Analyst Licensing Information.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
Assistant behavior analysts. Indiana licenses BCaBAs as Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LABA). IPLA lists these items for a LABA applying by application: BCaBA certification in good standing with the BACB, a criminal background check, the $75.00 application fee, and "a copy of a signed contract with a licensed behavior analyst that is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to provide supervision under 844 IAC 21-4-6." Reciprocity for a LABA costs $50.00. IPLA's FAQ says an assistant "should be supervised by a Behavior Analyst, and have a contract with your supervisor." If you change supervisors, IPLA says to upload the new supervisor contract to your assistant license.
RBTs. IPLA's FAQ answers the question "I do not see a license for RBT, where to I apply?" with: "RBT certifications are not issued by our office. Please submit your certification application at https://www.bacb.com/ ." We found no Indiana license for RBTs on IPLA's pages.
Indiana Medicaid. Separately from licensure, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) module on behavioral health services lists who may render ABA therapy for IHCP reimbursement: an HSPP, a "Licensed or board-certified behavior analyst" (BCBA, BCBA-D or BCaBA) or a "Credentialed Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)". It says: "ABA therapy services performed by a BCaBA or credentialed RBT must be under the direct supervision of a BCBA, BCBA-D or HSPP." To enroll as an ABA therapist, it says the therapist "must have an NPI and hold a valid professional license as an HSPP or a valid board certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board as a BCBA or BCBA-D." The module is marked "Published: Oct. 20, 2026".
Source: IHCP, Behavioral Health Services module, pages 9 and 14.
Renewal and state-required training
IPLA says: "All LBAs and LABAs expire December 31st of the odd years. The licenses once renewed will remain valid for two years with the last day of the renewal year to be December 31st." Reminders go out about 90 days before expiration. IPLA says it is the licensee's responsibility to make sure the renewal is complete, "they have completed all CE requirements, and attest to holding a current BCBA."
For a LABA, IPLA says renewal needs a signed contract with a licensed behavior analyst and "a written record of the supervision provided by LBA during the preceding renewal period." The supervisor's license must also be current at renewal.
IPLA lists two required CE topic units: one unit in trauma informed care, and one unit in either abuse and neglect or mandatory reporting. The supplied licensing page does not state a total CE requirement; these two topic units should not be read as establishing the full requirement. On whether BACB continuing education counts, IPLA says: "If the CE, you attended is from an approved sponsor it can be counted towards both your certification and your license. Please be advised that the certification renewal cycle, and the licensure cycle might be different. Please ensure that the CE you have completed occurs during the licensure renewal cycle."
Source: IPLA, Behavior Analyst Licensing Information.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Indiana 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 Indiana 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.