ABA licensure in New Jersey: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
New Jersey requires a license to practice applied behavior analysis unless a statutory exemption applies. The rule is in the Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Act (P.L. 2019, c.337, N.J.S.A. 45:8B-91 and following). The State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners, within the Division of Consumer Affairs, licenses applied behavior analysts and assistant applied behavior analysts for a two-year term, and it requires every applicant to complete a jurisprudence examination before a license is issued. Confirm with the State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners before you rely on this.
What the law says
The Act is direct about who needs a license:
"No person shall practice, attempt to practice, or make any representation as being able to practice applied behavior analysis unless the person is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this act."
It names two licenses:
"“Licensed applied behavior analyst” means a person who holds a current, valid license to practice applied behavior analysis pursuant to this act."
"“Licensed assistant applied behavior analyst” means a person who holds a current, valid license to practice applied behavior analysis under the ongoing supervision of a licensed applied behavior analyst pursuant to this act."
The Act protects the titles and the abbreviations "LBA" and "LABA" as well, except for people the Act exempts. It defines the practice, and then excludes several things from it:
"The practice of behavior analysis does not include psychological testing, diagnosis of mental, physical, or speech language, hearing, and other communication and swallowing disorders, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and counseling as treatment modalities."
Section 13 lists conditional exemptions for other licensed professionals and several other groups. Each exemption has specific limits; membership in a listed group alone does not establish an exemption. Two of the exemptions are quoted here in part:
"paraprofessional technicians who deliver applied behavior analysis services under the extended authority and direction of a licensed applied behavior analyst, licensed assistant applied behavior analyst, provided that such paraprofessional technicians use titles that indicate their nonprofessional status;"
"employees of a school district, charter school, education services commission, or private school in the performance of regular employment duties, if the provision of applied behavior analysis services is only on behalf of the school employer and remuneration for the provision of those services is provided solely by the school employer;"
The January 13, 2020 session law included time-limited exemptions for certain work involving the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the New Jersey Early Intervention Program. We have not verified whether either exemption remains available.
Source: P.L. 2019, c.337, as approved January 13, 2020 (New Jersey Legislature).
How to get licensed
To be licensed as an applied behavior analyst, the Act says an applicant must:
"be at least 21 years of age;"
"be of good moral character;"
"have a current certification from a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American National Standards Institute, or a substantial equivalent to credential professional practitioners of applied behavior analysis related to the principles and practice of the profession of applied behavior analysis that is approved by the board; and"
"submit proof that the applicant holds a graduate degree from an accredited university or other institution of higher learning."
The Board's own orientation page for applicants adds an examination:
"The State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners (Board) requires every applicant for licensure to complete the State Board of Applied Behavior Analysts Jurisprudence Examination ("Examination") prior to issuance of a license"
and says:
"The Examination consists of twenty-five (25) questions which test your knowledge of those laws and regulations that govern the applied behavior analysis profession in the State of New Jersey."
A person who holds a valid license from another state, a possession of the United States or the District of Columbia may apply for a New Jersey license by paying a fee and submitting a written application, and the Act says the Board "shall issue a license" if the other state's standards are "substantially equivalent to those of this State, as determined by the board."
Source: P.L. 2019, c.337; Division of Consumer Affairs, Board orientation for applicants.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
New Jersey licenses assistants. To be licensed as an assistant applied behavior analyst, an applicant must meet the same age, character and certification requirements and must also:
"submit proof that the applicant holds an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or other institution of higher learning; and"
"submit proof satisfactory to the board of ongoing supervision by a licensed applied behavior analyst in accordance with the board's requirements."
The Act exempts paraprofessional technicians who meet its supervision and title conditions. They must not represent themselves as holding a license or professional title regulated by the Act. The Act text we read does not use the term registered behavior technician.
Source: P.L. 2019, c.337.
Renewal and state-required training
On renewal, the Act says:
"All licenses shall be issued for a two-year period and shall be renewed upon filing a renewal application."
and
"A license shall not be renewed until the license holder submits satisfactory evidence to the board that the license holder continues to fulfill the requirements for licensure"
We could not read N.J.A.C. 13:42B and have not verified its current renewal requirements. This page therefore gives no renewal deadline, continuing education hour requirement or required topic.
Source: P.L. 2019, c.337.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.