BCBA CE Requirements in Illinois (2026)
BACB Baseline + Illinois-Specific Requirements
Free reference from Special Learning — BACB ACE Provider #OP-14-2437
BACB Certification Requirements (All BCBAs in Illinois)
Regardless of state, your BACB certification renews on a 2-year cycle.
| Credential | Cycle | Total CEUs | Ethics | Supervision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCBA / BCBA-D | 2 years | 32 CEUs | 4 CEUs minimum | 3 CEUs per two-year cycle under the current BACB handbook (if you supervise). The BACB's 2027 requirements, which take effect January 1, 2027, raise it to 4; its March 2022 announcement applied the new requirements to BCBAs recertifying on or after that date, and the BACB notes that some details in that newsletter have since changed. |
| BCaBA | 2 years | 20 CEUs | 4 CEUs minimum | — |
Starting July 1, 2026: BACB requires participation monitoring. The handbook’s example measure is a minimum of 3 knowledge questions per CEU, or another form of required active responding. This is not a video or format mandate: article-and-quiz, journal clubs, and podcasts remain BACB-eligible.
State Licensure: Illinois
State-specific requirements: License renewal cycle: 2 years. State CE: 30 hours every 2 years from the 2027 renewal (assistant: 20); none at a first Illinois renewal. State-specific: 1 hour sexual harassment prevention every renewal; it counts toward the CE hours. 1 hour of cultural competency, once every 6 years, from the first renewal on or after January 1, 2025 at which CE applies; it counts toward the CE hours (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.525) (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1376.50, 1130.400)
Important: CE earned for BACB renewal does not automatically satisfy Illinois LBA renewal unless the state board accepts those hours. Always verify with the Illinois licensing board before submitting CE for state renewal.
Plan your continuing education
Use the free CEU Tracker to organize your continuing education information.
Sources: BACB BCBA Handbook; BACB March 2022 Newsletter, page 5; Illinois state licensure requirements. State requirements subject to change — verify with your state board before renewal. Special Learning ACE Provider #OP-14-2437.
Authorization as an ACE Provider does not imply endorsement or approval of the ACE event content by the BACB.