Staying current is not just encouraged for Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts. Keeping updated is essential in the dynamic field of behavioral analysis. Therefore, continuing education Units, better known as CEUs, act as the anchor for BCBAs and BCaBAs to maintain their certification. Obtaining CEUs is a requirement set forth by the BACB. It serves as a measure of professional development and a commitment to continually contribute to the ongoing competence and proficiency of BCBA and BCaBAs.
What are CEUs, and Why They Matter?
CEUs are not just a bureaucratic requirement; they’re a lifeline for BCBAs’ and BCaBAs’ professional vitality, and most importantly, they are part of the certification maintenance requirements. These units, earned through activities beyond the routine, mean a dedication to ongoing competence, ensuring BCBAs and BCaBAs remain at the forefront of their game. As research unfolds and technology shapes new ways to be more effective, CEUs act as the compass guiding BCBAs and BCaBAs toward delivering the best care for their clients.
Who Needs CEUs?
For BCBAs and BCaBAs, CEUs are mandatory. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board emphasizes their importance as a measure of professional development and dedication to maintaining competence. As the field evolves, BCBAs and BCaBAs who stay abreast of advancements contribute to the progress of behavior analysis.
CEU Frequency Requirements
Based on the BCBA Handbook, BCBAs must obtain 32 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a two-year cycle. The CEUs you earn must include four (4) CEUs in ethics and three (3) CEUs in supervision. Conversely, BCaBAs must earn 20 CEUs within each two-year recertification cycle. According to the BCaBA Handbook, the CEUs must include four (4) CEUs in ethics and three (3) in supervision . For both, the three CEUs in supervision are only required for supervisors or if you intend to supervise.
It’s worth noting that these requirements were last updated in December 2023, meaning this information will remain the same by the time this post is published (March 2024). And these requirements remain the same across the US.
How are CEUs earned?
According to the BCBA and BCaBA handbooks, these are the three types of activities for which you can earn CEUs:
- Learning
- Attend events offered by Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) providers.
- Successfully complete behavior-analytics undergraduate or graduate courses with a passing grade of C or higher.
- Participating in selected BCBA certification activities.
- Teaching
- Engage in teaching ACE events
- Instruct college-level courses in behavior analysis at an accredited college.
- Scholarship
- Contribute to the field by publishing an article on behavior analysis in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Provide valuable insights by writing a review or a decision letter for an article on behavior analysis submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Where to earn CEUs in 2024?
As mentioned above, the avenues to earning CEUs are diverse. A practical way for some BCBAs and BCaBAs to make CEUs is by attending ACE-authorized industry conferences that offer them. Conferences like APBA 2024 in Texas and FABA 2024 in Florida offer CEUs, immersive learning experiences, and networking opportunities.
Luckily, cost and time-effective options are also available for busy Behavior Analysts and Certified Behavior Analysts Assistants looking to complete their CEU requirements. From authorized podcasts to interactive platforms, below are some free and discounted ways you can earn Continuing Education Unit options you can check out:
- Verbal Beginnings: As an ABA Therapy provider, Verbal Beginnings has a commitment to changing lives with a “driving force that has allowed them to make an impact for an entire decade.” Their commitment to ABA Therapy goes beyond providing free CEU courses focused on subjects you can directly apply to your practice.
- ABC Behavior Training: This e-learning platform supports BCBAs and BCaBAs with resources and training to satisfy CEU requirements. From free to cost-effective courses, ABC Behavior Training offers ACE-authorized monthly and weekly packages.
- ABA Inside Track: This is a time-efficient way to earn CEUs. ABA Inside Track offers a curated list of CEU podcast episodes. BCBAs and BCaBAs can use them as part of their recertification process at no charge.
- Behavioral Observations: Ideal for BCBAs and BCaBAs who like to listen to experts on podcasts. If that’s you, you can now earn CEUs by doing so. The Behavioral Observations podcast has a selected list of episodes, including ethics and supervision credits, that are affordable and ACE-certified.
- Behavior Live: An excellent resource that offers on-demand CEU conferences, events, and courses. To check out a complete list of ACE-authorized Continuing Education Unit providers, make sure to explore ACE’s provider list here.
BCBAs and BCaBAs: stay compliant with CEU requirements
In a world of ABA, excellence isn’t an achievement; it’s a journey. CEUs aren’t just requirements; they’re stepping stones toward building a stronger field for those you serve. Navigating the professional development landscape in 2024 demands embracing diverse learning opportunities and a commitment to staying at the forefront of behavior analysis. Along with these recommendations, always visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board site for the latest information on CEU requirements for BCBAs and BCaBAs.