Education · 1 of 5
The path
A master's degree, a set list of courses, supervised hours, then an exam and a state license.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Psychology if your school offers it, plus biology, statistics and English. Volunteer with children or adults with disabilities; it matters more than you think.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Psychology, education or human development are the usual majors, but any degree works if you take the required behavior analysis courses later.
- 3
Registered Behavior Technician job
Weeks to start
A 40 hour training, a competency assessment and an exam let you work directly with clients under supervision, usually while you study.
- 4
Master's degree with the right coursework
2 years
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board requires a graduate degree plus a specific sequence of behavior analysis courses. Programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International are the safe choice.
- 5
Fieldwork, exam, license
1 to 2 years
1,500 supervised hours on the concentrated track or 2,000 on the standard track, then the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam, then your state license.