ABA licensure in Nebraska: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Nebraska requires a license to practice behavior analysis unless a statutory exemption applies. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issues licensed behavior analyst and licensed assistant behavior analyst licenses. The licensing standards must include certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or another equivalent entity approved by the Board of Behavior Analysts. Confirm with the Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit before you rely on this.
What the law says
Nebraska lists behavior analysis among the practices that need a credential. Section 38-121(1) says:
"No individual shall engage in the following practices unless such individual has obtained a credential under the Uniform Credentialing Act:"
and the list includes:
"(h) Beginning one year after September 2, 2023, behavior analysis;"
The two licenses are defined in the Act:
"Licensed behavior analyst means an individual who meets the requirements specified in section 38-4410 and who is issued a license as a licensed behavior analyst under the Behavior Analyst Practice Act by the department."
"Licensed assistant behavior analyst means an individual practicing under the close ongoing supervision of a licensed behavior analyst and who also meets the requirements specified in section 38-4410 and is issued a license as a licensed assistant behavior analyst under the Behavior Analyst Practice Act by the department."
The practice itself is defined this way:
"Practice of applied behavior analysis means the design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior."
The same section excludes diagnosis, psychological testing, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, psychoanalysis, counseling and functional movement analysis from the practice of applied behavior analysis.
Section 38-4409 contains conditional exemptions from the Act. Two are quoted below; the full section sets out the conditions for each exemption.
"(3) A behavior technician who delivers applied behavior analysis services under the extended authority and direction of a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed assistant behavior analyst;"
"(10) An individual employed by a school district performing the duties for which employed. Such an individual shall not represent that the individual is a licensed behavior analyst unless the individual is licensed under the act, shall not offer applied behavior analysis services to any person or entity other than the school which employs the individual, and shall not accept remuneration for providing applied behavior analysis services other than the remuneration received for the duties for which employed by the school employer."
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-121; 38-4407; 38-4406; 38-4408; 38-4409.
How to get licensed
The Act tells the Board of Behavior Analysts to set minimum standards by rule, and it names the certification:
"The board shall include certification by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral® as part of the minimum standards for licensure as a licensed behavior analyst. The board shall include certification by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® as part of the minimum standards for licensure as a licensed assistant behavior analyst."
The Act defines the certifying entity as:
"the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or another equivalent entity approved by the Board of Behavior Analysts"
Applicants send an application to DHHS with evidence that they meet the Uniform Credentialing Act's requirements (38-4410(1)). DHHS's behavior analyst page lists an initial application and a consent form for release of information, and it says "Examination Information" is "Information coming soon." DHHS's page also says "Regulations are presently being drafted." Behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts providing short-term services in Nebraska may apply for a temporary license if they are licensed in another jurisdiction or certified by the certifying entity to practice independently (38-4411).
DHHS answered the question of out-of-state providers in its FAQ dated August 29, 2024: it will not require anything additional for out-of-state providers, and it will not require a brick-and-mortar location in Nebraska.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-4410; 38-4405; 38-4411; DHHS, Behavior Analyst; DHHS FAQ, August 29, 2024.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
Nebraska licenses assistant behavior analysts. It does not license behavior technicians. The Act defines the role this way:
"Behavior technician means an individual who practices under the close, ongoing supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed assistant behavior analyst."
It limits what a technician may do and how a technician may use a title:
"A behavior technician shall not represent that the technician is a professional behavior analyst and shall use a title that indicates the nonprofessional status, such as Registered Behavior Technician®, behavior technician, or tutor."
"A behavior technician shall not design assessment or intervention plans or procedures but may deliver services as assigned by the supervisor responsible for the technician's work as designated by the licensed behavior analyst."
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-4403; 38-4412.
Renewal and state-required training
DHHS's behavior analyst page says:
"The license expiration date is September 1 of even years."
On continuing education, the same page says:
"Continuing education and competency requirements with a certifying entity, as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-4405, must be maintained to be an active licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst in the State of Nebraska"
and:
"Nebraska does not review or approve CE offerings."
The Uniform Credentialing Act says credentials are renewed every two years. Renewal requires a request from the credential holder and documentation of continuing competency under sections 38-145 and 38-146. Under those sections the Board of Behavior Analysts sets the continuing competency requirements, and the department may audit a sample of renewal applications. We did not find a state-required topic, such as ethics or human trafficking, in the sources we read.
Source: DHHS, Behavior Analyst; Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-142; 38-145; 38-146.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.