ABA licensure in Utah: who needs a license, how to get one and how to keep it
The short answer
Utah generally requires a state license or registration to practice behavior analysis, with exemptions under Sections 58-1-307 and 58-61-707. The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) licenses behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. State law establishes a two-year renewal cycle, and DOPL's behavior analyst renewal page says renewals are due September 30 of even years.
What the law says
Confirm with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing before you rely on this.
Utah's behavior analyst law is Part 7 of the Psychologist Licensing Act, Title 58, Chapter 61 of the Utah Code. The Division issues the license in two classifications:
"The division shall issue to a person who qualifies under this part a license in the classification of:"
"behavior analyst; or"
"assistant behavior analyst."
The Code defines the titles and protects them:
""Licensed behavior analyst" means an individual licensed under this part to engage in the practice of behavior analysis."
"representing oneself as or using the title of licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst unless currently licensed under this part."
The second quote is part of the Code's definition of unlawful conduct. The practice of behavior analysis is defined as the design and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior, and it excludes some work:
""Practice of behavior analysis" does not include:"
The list that follows names diagnosis of a mental or physical disorder, psychological testing, educational testing, neuropsychology, neuropsychological testing, mental health therapy, psychotherapy, counseling, biofeedback, neurofeedback, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis and hypnotherapy.
Section 58-61-707 lists exemptions, in addition to the general exemptions in Section 58-1-307. These exemptions are subject to stated circumstances and limitations. They include Utah-licensed psychologists and mental health therapists practicing within the scope of their licenses, and the following school-employee and supervised-training exemptions:
"an employee of a school district, private school, or charter school who:"
"practices behavior analysis as part of the employee's job description with the school district, private school, or charter school; and"
"limits the employee's practice to the employment settings authorized by the:"
"State Board of Education, if the employee is employed by a public school or charter school; or"
"private school employer, if the employee is employed by a private school;"
"a person who:"
"has completed and passed a course sequence approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board; and"
"is completing the supervision hours as defined by division rule under Section 58-1-203 and under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or other supervisor as permitted by rule adopted by the division;"
The Code also says what payers may do:
"payment from third party payers for behavior analysis may be limited to:"
"a licensed behavior analyst as defined in Section 58-61-702; and"
The list continues with physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and clinical mental health counselors, each "working within the scope of their practice."
The Utah Code page for each section of Part 7 carries the note "Affected by 63I-1-258 on 7/1/2036." Section 63I-1-258(16) says:
"Title 58, Chapter 61, Part 7, Behavior Analyst Licensing Act, is repealed July 1, 2036."
Source: Utah Code 58-61-702, Utah Code 58-61-703, Utah Code 58-61-707, Utah Code 58-61-709, Utah Code 58-61-714; Utah Code 63I-1-258.
How to get licensed
The Code gives two paths. One is education, supervised experience and the national examination. An applicant for a behavior analyst license must:
"produce certified transcripts of credit verifying satisfactory completion of a master's or doctoral degree in applied behavior analysis from an accredited institution of higher education or an equivalent master or doctorate degree as determined by the division by administrative rule;"
"have completed at least 1,500 hours of experiential behavior analysis training within a five year period of time with a qualified supervisor; and"
"pass the examination requirement established by division rule under Section 58-1-203; or"
The other path is certification:
"document proof of current certification in good standing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or an equivalence of that certification, as determined by division rule made in consultation with the board."
DOPL's application page says the requirement is to "Hold current certification with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)." The Code says the application fee is "a fee determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504." We did not find a fee amount on the pages we read.
Source: Utah Code 58-61-705; DOPL, Apply for a Behavior Analyst/Assistant License.
Assistants, RBTs and technicians
Utah licenses assistant behavior analysts, who work under supervision:
""Licensed assistant behavior analyst" means an individual licensed under this part to engage in the practice of behavior analysis under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, as defined by the division by administrative rule."
An assistant applicant follows the same two paths at the assistant level. The education path requires a bachelor's degree and core coursework in behavior analysis, and this much supervised experience:
"have completed at least 1,000 hours of experiential behavior analysis training within a five-year period of time with a qualified supervisor; and"
The certification path is:
"document proof of current certification in good standing as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or an equivalence of that certification, as determined by division rule made in consultation with the board."
Part 7 also created a "registered behavior specialist" and a "registered assistant behavior specialist" registration. The Code limits it to people employed on or before May 15, 2015, by an organization contracted with a division of the Utah Department of Human Services, and it closed applications on November 15, 2015. That registration expires when the person is no longer employed in that way and cannot be renewed.
Part 7 does not expressly name registered behavior technicians (RBTs) or technicians.
Source: Utah Code 58-61-702, Utah Code 58-61-704, Utah Code 58-61-705, Utah Code 58-61-707.
Renewal and state-required training
The Code sets the term and leaves continuing education to Division rule:
"The division shall issue each license under this part with a two-year renewal cycle established by division rule."
"The division may establish administrative rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, requiring continuing education as a condition for renewal of any license classification or maintaining a registration classification under this part if the division finds that continuing education is necessary to reasonably protect the public health, safety, or welfare."
DOPL's renewal page for behavior analysts says:
"Behavioral Analyst license renewals are due on September 30th of even years and require the following:"
The two items it lists are a renewal fee ("See the DOPL Fee Schedule") and "Current BCBA Certification". DOPL sends a renewal notice by email 90 days before the expiration date. The page also warns:
"Continuing to practice a profession after a license has expired is considered unlawful conduct and a criminal offense, per Utah Code 58-1-501(1)(a) and 58-1-502."
Consult DOPL for renewal requirements under Division rule R156-61a.
Source: Utah Code 58-61-704, Utah Code 58-61-706; DOPL, Behavioral Analyst Renewal.
Training the staff you supervise
If you run a program in Utah 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 Utah 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.