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ABA licensure by state

ABA licensure in Kentucky: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it

The short answer

Kentucky generally requires a state license to practice applied behavior analysis, with exemptions under KRS 319C.020(2). Regular behavior analyst and assistant behavior analyst licenses require active BCBA and BCaBA credentials, respectively. Qualifying applicants completing supervised experience may apply for temporary licenses under KRS 319C.080(3). Confirm with the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board before you rely on this.

What the law says

Kentucky's licensing law is KRS Chapter 319C. It creates the board:

"There is hereby created the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board. The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Governor."

Source: KRS 319C.030.

Who must be licensed. The statute says:

"No person shall: (a) Engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis, assist in the practice of applied behavior analysis, render services designated as applied behavior analysis, or hold himself or herself out as a practitioner of applied behavior analysis in this state, unless licensed under the provisions of this chapter; or (b) Use the title "licensed behavior analyst" or "licensed assistant behavior analyst" or any title which is substantially the same unless licensed by the board."

A person who violates this "shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation" (KRS 319C.990).

Who is not covered. The chapter does not apply to a person who is:

"(a) Providing applied behavior analysis services to an individual in a public school setting; (b) Implementing applied behavior analysis intervention services to an immediate family member or as a supervisee; (c) Licensed, certified, or registered as a health or allied health professional under any other provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, including but not limited to physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, therapists, including occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists, or students within accredited training programs of these professions. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit, interfere with, or restrict the practice, descriptions of services, or manner in which the health or allied health professional listed in this subsection hold themselves out to the public; or (d) Providing applicable Medicaid waiver services."

What counts as practice. KRS 319C.010(8) defines the practice of applied behavior analysis as "the application of the principles, methods, and procedures of the experimental analysis of behavior and applied behavior analysis," including designing, implementing, evaluating and modifying treatment programs for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, for other individuals and for groups, and consulting with individuals and organizations. It "shall not include diagnosis, counseling, psychological testing, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, or hypnotherapy as treatment modalities" (KRS 319C.010(8)).

Telehealth. The board's rule says: "A person providing applied behavior analytic services via telehealth to a person physically located in Kentucky while services are provided shall be required to be licensed by the board."

Source: KRS 319C.010; KRS 319C.020; KRS 319C.990; 201 KAR 43:100, Section 2.

The titles in Kentucky's rules are LBA (licensed behavior analyst), LaBA (licensed assistant behavior analyst), TLBA and TLaBA (the temporary licenses). The board's inactive-status rule lists these four as "state licensure initials" (201 KAR 43:090, Section 3(3)).

How to get licensed

Licensed behavior analyst. KRS 319C.080(1) says the applicant must furnish evidence that the person:

"(a) Has met the education requirements of the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)® standards, has passed the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)® examination, and is credentialed as a behavior analyst by the certification board; (b) Maintains active status and fulfills all requirements for renewal and recertification with the certification board as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)®; (c) Conducts his or her professional activities in accordance with accepted standards as required by administrative regulations promulgated by the board in accordance with KRS 319C.050(1); and (d) Complies with all applicable administrative regulations promulgated by the board."

The "certification board" is defined as "the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® or its successor" (KRS 319C.010(4)). The board's FAQ adds: "The Kentucky ABA Board requires certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and is not responsible for selecting or approving ABA course sequences."

The application. Under 201 KAR 43:010, Section 1(3), the application is Form ABA-001 and includes a copy of the degree, a check or money order for the fee, proof of the education, examination and credentialing requirements, and:

"Proof of completion of at least five (5) hours of training in: 1. Adult abuse and neglect; 2. Child abuse, neglect, and dependency; or 3. A combination of subparagraphs 1. and 2. of this paragraph. The completed proof shall indicate that abuse, neglect, or dependency was explicitly covered in the training."

The board's FAQ says the title of the course must identify that coverage. The board's FAQ says applications are reviewed at every board meeting, usually monthly.

Fees (201 KAR 43:030, current): a $400 application review and licensure fee for the first two-year licensure period for a behavior analyst, and $300 for an assistant behavior analyst.

Licensed in another state. KRS 319C.090 says: "The board shall issue a license to a person who holds a valid license or certificate from another state, who meets the requirements specified in KRS 319C.080, any licensing requirements contained in administrative regulation promulgated by the board, and who has no imposed or pending disciplinary actions."

Source: KRS 319C.080; KRS 319C.090; 201 KAR 43:010; 201 KAR 43:030; Board FAQ; Board training page.

Assistants, RBTs and technicians

Assistant behavior analysts. Kentucky licenses them. A licensed assistant behavior analyst is one who works under the supervision of a certified behavior analyst (KRS 319C.010(7)). To apply, the person must have met the BCaBA education standards, passed the BCaBA examination, be credentialed by the BACB, maintain that status, and be "supervised by a certified behavior analyst in a manner consistent with the certification board requirements" (KRS 319C.080(2)). An assistant applicant also submits a Supervisory Plan, Form ABA-002 (201 KAR 43:010, Section 1(4)).

Temporary licenses. A person who has met the BCBA or BCaBA coursework requirements and is starting supervised experience may apply for a temporary license (KRS 319C.080(3)). The temporary license "expires two (2) years from the issuance date and may be renewed only once," on the conditions in 201 KAR 43:020, Section 1(2)(a)3.

Technicians and RBTs. The sources reviewed for this page did not identify a separate Kentucky RBT license or registration. Kentucky's law addresses supervised staff through the idea of a supervisee: "a person who is not licensed but acts under the extended authority and direction of a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed assistant behavior analyst to provide applied behavior analysis services" (KRS 319C.010(10)). The statute does not apply to a person who implements applied behavior analysis services "as a supervisee" (KRS 319C.020(2)(b)). The board's supervision rule defines a "paraprofessional" as "a person who assists in delivering behavior analysis services and practices under the direction and close supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst qualified to supervise."

Supervisors. To supervise a licensed supervisee, a licensed behavior analyst must meet two conditions. The rule says the licensed behavior analyst shall: "(1) Be licensed in good standing in Kentucky; and (2) Have completed supervision training as identified in the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) Certificant Registry" (201 KAR 43:050, Section 2).

Source: KRS 319C.010; KRS 319C.020; KRS 319C.080; 201 KAR 43:020; 201 KAR 43:050.

Renewal and state-required training

Cycle. Under 201 KAR 43:080, a behavior analyst renews biennially, "on or before the last day of the calendar month during which the license was issued", by filing Form ABA-004 and paying the renewal fee. An assistant behavior analyst does the same and must also "Have a current, approved Report of Supervision and Supervisory Plan". A license "that is not renewed before the last day of the calendar month following the calendar month during which the license was issued shall be expired and lapsed for failure to renew", and the person "shall not practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky."

Fees. The renewal fee is $300 for a behavior analyst and $200 for an assistant, for each two-year period. A $50 late fee applies when a licensee files to renew after the renewal date but within 30 days of that date. Reinstating an expired license more than 30 days after the renewal date costs a $250 reinstatement fee in addition to the renewal fee (201 KAR 43:030).

Credential and continuing education. To be licensed, a behavior analyst must maintain "active status" and fulfill "all requirements for renewal and recertification with the certification board" (KRS 319C.080(1)(b)). KRS 319C.060 lets the board set continuing education requirements. In the current text of 201 KAR 43:080, the renewal rule, we found no state continuing education hour count or required topic. The five hours of abuse and neglect training described above are required at application. Check the board's current renewal form and instructions for anything beyond what the rule states.

Inactive status. Individuals on inactive status may not practice or use state licensure initials, including LBA, LaBA, TLBA and TLaBA (201 KAR 43:090, Section 3(3)).

Ethics. The BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (January 1, 2022 version) is Kentucky's code. The rule says: "Except as superseded by the provisions of this administrative regulation and the Kentucky Code, the BACB Code shall be the mandatory ethics code for Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysts" (201 KAR 43:040, Section 2(2)). One added Kentucky duty: "The behavior analyst shall be familiar with the relevant law concerning the reporting of abuse of children and vulnerable adults, and shall comply with those laws, including KRS 620.030" (201 KAR 43:040, Section 3(1)).

Source: 201 KAR 43:080; 201 KAR 43:030; 201 KAR 43:040; 201 KAR 43:090; KRS 319C.060; Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board, (502) 892-4249, ABA@ky.gov.

Training the staff you supervise

If you run a program in Kentucky 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 Kentucky state approval or continuing education credit for this course.

Two ways to start

Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.

See every state's ABA licensure rules