ABA licensure in North Carolina: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
North Carolina requires a license to practice behavior analysis unless an exemption in G.S. 90-745 applies. The North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board licenses behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts and accepts certification from BACB or QABA. Confirm with the North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board before you rely on this.
What the law says
The prohibition is in G.S. 90-746:
"Except as permitted in G.S. 90-745, it shall be a violation of this Article for any individual not licensed under this Article to practice behavior analysis or to hold oneself out to the public as an individual practicing behavior analysis."
"Any individual not licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Article practicing behavior analysis or holding oneself out to the public as an individual practicing behavior analysis in violation of this Article is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Each violation shall count as a separate offense."
The statute names the licensing board. Section 90-732 says "Board. – The North Carolina Behavior Analyst Board." and section 90-733 creates "The North Carolina Behavior Analysis Board". The Board's website calls itself the North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board (NCBALB). The two licenses are defined this way:
"Licensed behavior analyst. – An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been issued a license under this Article that is active and not suspended or revoked."
"Licensed assistant behavior analyst. – An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and has been issued a license under this Article that (i) is active, (ii) is not suspended or revoked, and (iii) permits the individual to engage in the practice of behavior analysis under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst."
The certifying entity can be either of two organizations:
"The nationally accredited Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or its successor, or the nationally accredited Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, or its successor."
The practice is defined in section 90-732 and expressly excludes psychological testing, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy and long-term counseling as treatment modalities.
G.S. 90-745 lists eight exemptions from this Article. The exemptions include conditions on supervision, scope of practice and the services provided. We did not find a separate exemption for school employees in that list.
The Board explains the effect on supervision in its FAQ:
"In NC, if a Behavior Analyst or Assistant Behavior Analyst does not hold a license with this Board then they would need to be supervised by a licensed Psychologist."
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-732, 90-733, 90-745 and 90-746; NCBALB, Frequently Asked Questions.
How to get licensed
G.S. 90-737 sets the requirements for a licensed behavior analyst. The applicant must meet the qualifications the Board sets and show:
"(1) The applicant is at least 18 years of age."
"(2) The applicant has passed the certifying entity's Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination."
"(3) The applicant has an active status with the certifying entity as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst."
Under G.S. 90-736, each applicant must also show good moral character and that the applicant has submitted the required criminal history record check. The Board's requirements page lists the application, a public notice statement, fees, a fingerprint card, an online background check, a current certification certificate and two statements of good moral character.
Under G.S. 90-740, an actively licensed or certified behavior analyst who resides and practices in another state may apply for a temporary North Carolina license for a limited and defined period approved by the Board. Under G.S. 90-741, reciprocity requires an active out-of-state behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst license from a state with comparable requirements that offers reciprocity. Applicants must also submit proof of ethical compliance, current licensure and current certification, a criminal history record check, and any other eligibility requirement the Board deems appropriate.
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-736, 90-737, 90-740 and 90-741; NCBALB, Requirements for Licensure.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
North Carolina licenses assistant behavior analysts. G.S. 90-738 asks for the same age, the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination and active certification, and one more item:
"(4) The applicant has an ongoing arrangement for supervision by a licensed behavior analyst in a manner consistent with the certifying entity's requirements for supervision of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts."
Article 43 does not establish a separate technician license. G.S. 90-745(2) exempts behavior technicians delivering applied behavior analysis services under the extended authority and direction of a licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst, or another professional licensed under Chapter 90 or Chapter 90B. The licensed professional's services must fall within that professional's licensed scope and be commensurate with that professional's education, training and experience. Technicians do not design assessment or intervention plans or procedures; they deliver assigned services under a supervisor responsible for their work. Article 43 does not mention a Registered Behavior Technician credential.
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-732, 90-738 and 90-745.
Renewal and state-required training
G.S. 90-739 sets the cycle and what renewal requires:
"A license shall be granted under this Article for the period of two years."
The Board renews a license on completion of these items:
"(1) Proof of completion of any continuing education required by the certifying entity."
"(2) Payment of the renewal fee."
"(3) Evidence of active certification by the certifying entity."
An assistant must also show evidence of the ongoing supervision arrangement. The Board's renewal page says:
"Licenses renewed with the Board will be valid for two years from the date a complete renewal has been approved."
It adds:
"Submitting proof of your current certification from a certifying entity (BACB or QABA), is the verification of completion of any continuing education required to renew."
A license is suspended automatically if it is not renewed for more than 60 days after the renewal date (G.S. 90-742(h)). We did not find a state-required topic, such as ethics or human trafficking, in the statute or on the Board's renewal page.
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-739 and 90-742; NCBALB, License Renewal.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.