If you’re passionate about helping children grow, communicate, and thrive, a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can be incredibly rewarding.
Whether you’re just discovering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or you’re already working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), this guide will walk you through exactly what it takes to become a BCBA—and how to set yourself up for success along the way.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a graduate-level clinician who designs, oversees, and evaluates ABA therapy programs.
BCBAs:
At Mosaic Pediatric Therapy, BCBAs play a critical role in delivering high-quality, clinician-led care that drives meaningful outcomes for children and families.
The first step toward becoming a BCBA is completing a bachelor’s degree.
Common fields include:
While your major doesn’t have to be specific to ABA, having a relevant background can help you build foundational knowledge early on.
Many future BCBAs begin their journey as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or Behavior Technician (BT).
This hands-on experience allows you to:
At Mosaic, many team members start in entry-level roles and grow into clinical leadership positions—building their careers step by step.
To become a BCBA, you must complete a master’s degree in:
Your program must include coursework that aligns with requirements set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which governs BCBA certification.
In addition to your degree, you’ll need to complete supervised fieldwork experience.
This typically includes:
This is one of the most important parts of your journey and it’s where classroom knowledge becomes real clinical skill.
At Mosaic, programs like our Behavior Analyst in Training (BAT) program are designed to:
Once you’ve completed your degree and fieldwork hours, you’ll be eligible to sit for the BCBA exam.
The exam assesses your knowledge across key areas, including:
Passing this exam earns you the BCBA credential—officially launching your career as a behavior analyst.
Becoming a BCBA is just the beginning. To maintain certification, you must:
At Mosaic, we support ongoing growth through CEU opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development pathways.
Most people complete the process in 6-7 years total, including:
However, timelines can vary especially if you’re working in the field while earning your degree.
A career as a BCBA offers the opportunity to:
At Mosaic, our BCBAs are at the center of everything we do—guiding care, supporting teams, and driving impact in the communities we serve.
If you’re currently an RBT, BT, or student pursuing your degree, you don’t have to navigate this path alone.
Mosaic Pediatric Therapy offers programs designed to support your growth, including:
Learn more below about Mosaic’s Apprenticeship Program.
