Guide
ABA in Brazil
Law 12.764/2012 establishes rights for autistic people, including access to health care. Do not infer a blanket ABA coverage entitlement from that law alone. Ask the SUS service or insurer about the particular treatment, eligibility and authorization process; seek qualified local advice about a disputed decision.
Correction — October 27, 2026: Earlier versions of this page overstated ABA coverage under Law 12.764/2012. That law establishes health-care rights; coverage for particular services must be checked under the applicable rules with the service or insurer.
What this page covers
- Overview: ABA Practice in BrazilAsk current local services about availability, the qualifications and supervision of the people delivering services, the individual approach and written fees. A directory listing or an international credential does not establish local permission to practise or suitability for a particular person.
- Credentialing in BrazilABA practice in Brazil is primarily regulated through the federal professional councils. Psychologists must be registered with the CRP (Conselho Regional de Psicologia). Speech-language pathologists use CFFa/CRFa; occupational therapists use CREFITO.
- Finding a Provider in BrazilOur provider directory, ABAEthics.org, lists US organizations only for now, so it won't help you find a provider in Brazil. Start with the resources below.
- Frequently Asked Questions: ABA in BrazilAsk current local services about availability, the qualifications and supervision of the people delivering services, the individual approach and written fees. A directory listing or an international credential does not establish local permission to practise or suitability for a particular person.
Overview: ABA Practice in Brazil
Ask current local services about availability, the qualifications and supervision of the people delivering services, the individual approach and written fees. A directory listing or an international credential does not establish local permission to practise or suitability for a particular person.
Brazil’s Law 12.764/2012 establishes rights for autistic people, including access to health care. Check coverage for the particular treatment under the applicable service and plan rules. Ask the relevant SUS service or insurer about eligibility, the requested treatment and the applicable assessment and authorization process. For a dispute, obtain advice about the particular decision and current law. Read Law 12.764/2012.
ABA in Brazil is practiced primarily by psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists who have specialized in behavior analysis. The field has a strong academic tradition, with several Brazilian universities offering graduate programs in behavior analysis and producing high-quality research. The Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento (ABAC) serves as the primary professional organization.
The major challenge in Brazil remains geographic access. Services are concentrated in the southeastern region, particularly Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. Families in the north and northeast regions face significant barriers to accessing qualified providers, making telehealth and online training increasingly important.
Credentialing in Brazil
Federal Council Registration
Check professional registration for the person’s actual profession: psychologists use the psychology council system (CRP), speech-language pathologists the speech-language council system (CFFa/CRFa), and physiotherapists and occupational therapists CREFITO. A foreign behavior-analysis credential is not a substitute for any applicable local professional requirement.
BACB Certification
Some employers in Brazil ask for the BCBA credential. It is not required for practice.
IBAO Certification
IBAO offers an independent international credential that people in Brazil can apply for. QABA also offers credentials internationally.
ABAC and Local Standards
The Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento (ABAC) provides professional development, ethical guidelines, and standards for ABA practice in Brazil. While not a credentialing body in the same sense as BACB, ABAC membership and adherence to their guidelines signals professional commitment to the field.
If a family asks you what this means for their child, here is the same thing in plain language, written for them so you don't have to.
Training and Education
University Programs in Brazil
- USP (Universidade de Sao Paulo) - Graduate programs in experimental psychology with behavior analysis focus
- PUC-SP - Postgraduate specialization in applied behavior analysis
- UFSCar (Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos) - Research and training in behavior analysis
- UEL (Universidade Estadual de Londrina) - Graduate programs in behavior analysis
- UFPA (Universidade Federal do Para) - Programs in behavior analysis and experimental psychology
Many Brazilian ABA programs are offered as "pos-graduacao lato sensu" (specialization courses), which provide focused professional training beyond undergraduate education.
Online Training
Online training is particularly valuable in Brazil given the country's geographic size and the concentration of training programs in southeastern cities. Special Learning's courses are self-paced and online, accessible from anywhere in Brazil.
For behavior technicians, assistants and anyone new to ABA, Intro to ABA: Level 1 teaches basic ABA methods for everyday practice, online and self-paced from anywhere in Brazil. The current price is shown in the cart. The course is paid once and has a free 7-day trial of the first 2 sessions and no payment card needed. It is foundational training with a certificate of completion, not a professional credential or continuing education. The first session presents information from 2012; some diagnostic terms and figures have since changed.
Holding or working toward a credential? Check your country and credentialing body in the free International Credential Navigator, and if you hold the BCBA or BCaBA, keep your BACB hours in the free CEU Tracker.
Funding and Access
SUS (Sistema Unico de Saude)
Brazil’s Law 12.764/2012 establishes rights for autistic people, including access to health care. Check coverage for the particular treatment under the applicable service and plan rules. Ask the relevant SUS service or insurer about eligibility, the requested treatment and the applicable assessment and authorization process. For a dispute, obtain advice about the particular decision and current law. Read Law 12.764/2012.
Private Health Insurance (Planos de Saude)
Law 12.764/2012 establishes rights for autistic people, including access to health care. Do not infer a blanket ABA coverage entitlement from that law alone. Ask the SUS service or insurer about the particular treatment, eligibility and authorization process; seek qualified local advice about a disputed decision.
Private Pay
Ask the local provider for a current written quote covering the assessment, proposed services, session length, frequency, cancellation terms and any additional charges. Ask the relevant funder or insurer what it covers for your circumstances; this page does not establish a local market rate or coverage entitlement.
Social Programs
Various government social programs and NGOs provide support for families of individuals with disabilities. The BPC (Beneficio de Prestacao Continuada) provides a monthly payment to low-income individuals with disabilities. Some municipalities offer additional local programs.
Finding a Provider in Brazil
Our provider directory
Our provider directory, ABAEthics.org, lists US organizations only for now, so it won't help you find a provider in Brazil. Start with the resources below.
Local Resources
- ABAC - Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento member directory
- ABPMC - Associacao Brasileira de Psicologia e Medicina Comportamental
- CRP directories - Regional psychology council listings
- Autism parent associations - Organizations like AMA (Associacao de Amigos do Autista) maintain provider referrals
What to Look For
- Active CRP, CREFITO, or equivalent professional registration
- Specialized ABA training (postgraduate specialization or equivalent)
- BACB, IBAO, or QABA certification (optional but indicates advanced training)
- Individualized assessment and data-driven programming
- Supervised therapy team structure
- Transparent communication about progress and methods
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Ask about V-CATFrequently Asked Questions: ABA in Brazil
Is ABA available in Brazil?
Ask current local services about availability, the qualifications and supervision of the people delivering services, the individual approach and written fees. A directory listing or an international credential does not establish local permission to practise or suitability for a particular person.
Does the Brazilian public health system cover ABA?
Brazil’s Law 12.764/2012 establishes rights for autistic people, including access to health care. Check coverage for the particular treatment under the applicable service and plan rules. Ask the relevant SUS service or insurer about eligibility, the requested treatment and the applicable assessment and authorization process. For a dispute, obtain advice about the particular decision and current law. Read Law 12.764/2012.
What credentials do I need to practice ABA in Brazil?
Check professional registration for the person’s actual profession: psychologists use the psychology council system (CRP), speech-language pathologists the speech-language council system (CFFa/CRFa), and physiotherapists and occupational therapists CREFITO. A foreign behavior-analysis credential is not a substitute for any applicable local professional requirement.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Brazil?
Ask the local provider for a current written quote covering the assessment, proposed services, session length, frequency, cancellation terms and any additional charges. Ask the relevant funder or insurer what it covers for your circumstances; this page does not establish a local market rate or coverage entitlement.
Where can I study ABA in Brazil?
Several Brazilian universities offer ABA training programs, including USP (Universidade de Sao Paulo), PUC-SP (Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo), UFSCar (Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos), and UEL (Universidade Estadual de Londrina). Many programs are offered as specialization courses (pos-graduacao lato sensu). Online training from international providers like Special Learning adds basic ABA training, which is foundational training, not continuing education.
Do employers in Brazil ask for the BCBA credential?
Some employers in Brazil ask for the BCBA credential. It is not required for practice. The BACB is a US certification body. It accepts applications only from people living in three countries: the United States, Canada and Australia. Australia closes to new applicants on January 1, 2027. Brazil isn't one of them, so if you live in Brazil you can't apply for BACB certification (BACB, read at source September 19, 2026). IBAO also operates internationally.
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