ABA licensure in Nevada: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Nevada requires behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts to hold state licenses and behavior technicians to hold state registrations, subject to statutory exemptions. NRS 641D.900 restricts both practicing applied behavior analysis and using these titles. Confirm with the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board before you rely on this.
What the law says
NRS 641D.900 sets the rule:
"a person shall not represent himself or herself as a behavior analyst, assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician within the meaning of this chapter or engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis unless he or she is licensed or registered as required by the provisions of this chapter."
The statute ties the behavior analyst and assistant behavior analyst titles to national certification and a Nevada license (NRS 641D.020, 641D.030 and 641D.100). A behavior analyst is:
"a person who holds current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization, and is licensed as a behavior analyst pursuant to this chapter."
An assistant behavior analyst is:
"a person who holds current certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization, and is licensed as an assistant behavior analyst pursuant to this chapter."
The practice of applied behavior analysis is defined in NRS 641D.080:
"the design, implementation and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior"
and "The term does not include diagnosis, psychological testing, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, psychoanalysis or counseling."
NRS 641D.110 exempts several groups, including Nevada-licensed physicians, dentists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical professional counselors, social workers and occupational therapists. These exemptions apply only if the person does not commit an act described in NRS 641D.910 or represent themselves as a behavior analyst, assistant behavior analyst or registered behavior technician. The listed groups also include:
"A family member, guardian or caregiver of a recipient of applied behavior analysis services who performs activities as directed by a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst; or"
"An employee of a school district or charter school when providing services to a pupil in a public school in a manner consistent with the duties of his or her position,"
NRS 641D.120 exempts people providing behavior modification services or training exclusively to animals. It also exempts specified organizational, teaching, research and academic services when the person does not otherwise separately provide ABA services directly to people. These people may call themselves behavior analysts but may not represent or imply that they hold a Nevada license or registration.
NRS 641D.130 permits an unlicensed or unregistered person who has matriculated at an accredited college or university to practice under a licensed behavior analyst’s direct supervision. The practice must be part of the enrolled college or university’s ABA program, an internship or a fellowship. The person must identify themselves to recipients as a student, intern, trainee or fellow and must not claim the regulated titles or imply Nevada licensure or registration.
Source: NRS 641D.900, 641D.020, 641D.030, 641D.080, 641D.110, 641D.120 and 641D.130.
How to get licensed
For a license as a behavior analyst, NRS 641D.310 asks for evidence that the applicant:
"(a) Is of good moral character as determined by the Board."
and
"(b) Holds current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization."
An assistant behavior analyst applicant has the same character requirement and must hold current certification as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.
The Board's Approved Regulation R005-24 (filed November 15, 2024) adds the following, in section 30. An applicant for a behavior analyst or assistant license or a technician registration must pay each applicable fee, must not have been convicted of a crime listed in NAC 641D.600, and must submit an application and the accompanying materials the statute requires. For a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst license, the applicant must also provide proof of no disciplinary action and no outstanding complaints or charges pending before a licensing or certifying authority of another jurisdiction or the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The applicant must also have passed the Board’s state examination under section 40.
Section 40 describes that exam:
"The state examination will consist of questions addressing the practice of applied behavior analysis, including, without limitation, federal and state laws and regulations relevant to the practice of applied behavior analysis in this State."
and adds:
"An applicant for licensure must take and pass the state examination within 30 days after the date on which the applicant submits his or her application for licensure."
Source: NRS 641D.310; Approved Regulation R005-24, sections 30 and 40.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
Nevada addresses both assistants and technicians. An assistant behavior analyst holds a license. A registered behavior technician holds a registration. NRS 641D.100 defines the technician as someone who:
"Is certified as a registered behavior technician by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or its successor organization;"
"Is registered as such pursuant to this chapter; and"
"Engages in applied behavior analysis services under supervision as required by NRS 641D.610."
An applicant for registration as a technician must show proof that the person is registered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and will be supervised by a person authorized by NRS 641D.610(2). The statute adds:
"The Board shall not require any additional education or training for registration as a registered behavior technician."
For an assistant behavior analyst license and for a technician registration, the Board's regulation requires a notice of employment and supervision that meets NRS 641D.610 and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board handbooks the regulation adopts by reference.
Source: NRS 641D.100 and 641D.310; Approved Regulation R005-24, section 30.
Renewal and state-required training
The Board's regulation sets one expiration date for every credential:
"A license or registration issued by the Board, including, without limitation, a license which has been placed on inactive status pursuant to NAC 641D.180 expires at midnight on December 31 of each even-numbered year."
The next date is December 31, 2026. The Board's news page says:
"All Nevada licenses and registrations expire 12-31-2026. Complete Renewal applications must be submitted by Dec. 15, 2026 for processing to avoid expiring."
For a license, the regulation sets what must be done in the two years before an application for renewal:
"(a) The continuing education required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization, to maintain his or her certification;"
"(b) At least 2 hours of instruction in evidence-based suicide prevention and awareness; and"
"(c) At least 6 hours of instruction in cultural competency and diversity, equity and inclusion."
For technicians, the regulation says:
"A registrant is not required to complete any continuing education to renew his or her registration as a registered behavior technician."
A technician still has to submit the renewal application, the fee, proof of current Registered Behavior Technician certification and a notice of employment and supervision. A technician's registration that has been expired for more than 60 days may not be reinstated, according to the regulation. The statute also requires an investigation of criminal history at the third renewal of a technician registration and every third renewal after that.
Source: Approved Regulation R005-24, sections 33, 35, 36 and 37; NRS 641D.360; Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board, news.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Nevada 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 Nevada 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.