Pennsylvania ABA staff requirements, with sources

This page is for people who run an ABA team in Pennsylvania. It lists the training, supervision and credential rules for behavior technicians and analysts that we found at a state source. Each rule shows the law or policy it comes from and the date we last checked Pennsylvania. Where we couldn't confirm a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

This version covers U.S. states. If you're outside the U.S., email contact@special-learning.com with your country and we'll tell you when yours is ready.

Checked: 2026-08-19

What the state requires

• A Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) must complete at least 30 hours of Department-approved training, on eight enumerated topics, before providing services independently.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.73)

• A BHT must complete at least 24 further hours of Department-approved training, on eleven more topics, within the first 6 months of employment.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.73)

• A BHT must complete at least 20 hours of Department-approved training annually thereafter. College coursework may substitute for a required topic on production of an official transcript.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.73)

• Layered on top for a BHT-ABA: completion of the BHT general hours above plus at least 20 hours annually related to ABA specifically. Behavior analytic/behavior consultation-ABA staff require at least 16 hours annually. An assistant behavior consultation-ABA who does not hold a BCBA/BCaBA/BCAT or other NCCA- or ANSI-accredited behavior-analysis certification requires 20 hours before independently providing services, plus 20 hours annually.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.83)

• For the ABA-services hours specifically (§5240.83 only -- this does NOT apply to the BHT general hours under §5240.73, which require Department approval with no BACB alternative), the regulation accepts training approved by the Department or provided by a continuing-education provider approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.83)

• At the agency level: a written training plan; an individual written training plan per staff person, updated annually, based on educational level, experience, current job functions, and performance reviews; annual review of the agency plan against service outcomes; documentation in each personnel file; and per-training records including the trainer's name and their qualifications to conduct that specific training, the topics covered, and copies of all materials distributed and used.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.13)

• This chapter does not apply to individual licensed practitioners or to group arrangements where only licensed practitioners provide IBHS.

  Source: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov (55 Pa. Code Chapter 5240, §5240.1(b))

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the state before you act on it.