ABA licensure in Ohio: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Ohio generally requires a state-issued certificate to practice applied behavior analysis, subject to statutory exemptions. The Ohio State Board of Psychology issues this credential, called certification as a certified Ohio behavior analyst. The exemption for individuals supervised by a certified Ohio behavior analyst requires that analyst's authority and direction and a signed attestation accepting responsibility for the care provided. Confirm with the Ohio State Board of Psychology before you rely on this.
What the law says
Ohio Revised Code section 4783.02 sets the rule:
"(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, no person shall do either of the following: (1) Engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis in this state without holding a certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code; (2) Hold the person's self out to be a certified Ohio behavior analyst unless the person holds a certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code."
The law defines the practice this way:
"(B)(1) "Practice of applied behavior analysis" means the design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior..."
It also says what the practice is not:
"(2) "Practice of applied behavior analysis" does not include psychological testing, diagnosis of a mental or physical disorder, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and long-term counseling as treatment modalities."
### Who is exempt Section 4783.02(B) says the chapter does not apply to, among others:
"(4) An individual practicing applied behavior analysis who is supervised by a certified Ohio behavior analyst and acting under the authority and direction of that certified Ohio behavior analyst;
(5) The delivery of interventions by a direct care provider or family member to implement components of an applied behavior analysis treatment plan."
Other exemptions cover licensed psychologists, and licensed counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists, when the work is within their education, training and experience. Graduate students in a defined program, employees of the Department of Developmental Disabilities or a county board of developmental disabilities, and a "professional employed in a school or other setting that falls under the regulation of the state board of education" acting within that employment are also listed. For the supervision exemptions, the supervising professional must sign an attestation stating that they are responsible for the care provided by the individual (section 4783.02(C)).
Source: Ohio Revised Code 4783.01; Ohio Revised Code 4783.02.
How to get licensed
Section 4783.04 says the applicant files a written application with the State Board of Psychology and must do all of the following, among others:
"(2) Comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code; (3) Demonstrate an understanding of the law regarding behavioral health practice; (4) Demonstrate current certification as a board certified behavior analyst by the behavior analyst certification board or its successor organization or demonstrate completion of equivalent requirements and passage of a psychometrically valid examination administered by a nationally accredited credentialing organization; (5) Pay the fee established by the state board of psychology."
The same section also says the board "shall issue a certificate ... in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code" to an applicant who holds a certificate or license in another state, or who has qualifying work experience or certification as a behavior analyst in a state that does not issue one. We did not read Chapter 4796.
Source: Ohio Revised Code 4783.04.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
In the sections reviewed (Ohio Revised Code 4783.01, 4783.02, 4783.04 and 4783.05), we found no provision establishing a separate license or registration for assistant behavior analysts or behavior technicians. The law reaches them through the exemption quoted above for an individual "supervised by a certified Ohio behavior analyst and acting under the authority and direction of that certified Ohio behavior analyst," with the supervisor's signed attestation.
Renewal and state-required training
Section 4783.05 sets a two-year cycle:
"... a certificate issued under this chapter is valid for a period of two years. On or before the thirty-first day of August of each even-numbered year, each certified Ohio behavior analyst shall do both of the following: (a) Register with the state board of psychology ...; (b) Pay to the board secretary a biennial registration fee in an amount of one hundred fifty dollars."
On continuing education, the same section says:
"Every two years a certified Ohio behavior analyst who wishes to renew the certified Ohio behavior analyst's certificate issued under this chapter shall produce proof of not less than twenty-three hours of continuing education, including not less than four hours in ethics, professional conduct, or cultural competency."
The board's rule adds that certificate holders who "demonstrate active certification as a board certified behavior analyst by the behavior analyst certification board or its successor organization at the time of submitting a biennial registration ... shall be deemed to have completed sufficient biennial CE" (Ohio Administrative Code 4783-2-01(B)(2)). Those who do not show active certification must meet the rule's other conditions, including approved courses and recording of completion.
For certificate holders who do not demonstrate active BCBA certification, first-renewal requirements vary. Rule 4783-2-01(C)(8) requires 13 hours, including at least four in professional conduct and ethics and/or culture and ethnic identity, for those certified during the first year of the biennial period. Those certified during the first three months of the second year are exempt from CE requirements for that period.
Source: Ohio Revised Code 4783.05; Ohio Administrative Code 4783-2-01.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Ohio 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 Ohio 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.