The Minnesota Legislature has passed the BCBA Licensing Bill and has been signed into law by the Governor. On January 1, 2025 Minnesota became the 38th state to license Applied Behavior Analysis.

This new law requires anyone who wishes to practice applied behavior analysis and use the title of Behavior Analyst, to be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology, unless they are exempt for the reasons listed below. Their title in Minnesota will become "Licensed Behavior Analyst."

To qualify for licensure as a behavior analyst, the individual must have a current and active national certification as a board certified behavior analyst, and pass a background check.

The practice of Applied Behavior Analysis means the design, implementation, and evaluation of social, instructional, and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior. The practice of applied behavior analysis includes the empirical identification of functional relations between behavior and environmental factors, known as a functional behavioral assessment and analysis. Applied behavior analysis interventions are based on scientific research, direct and indirect observation, and measurement of behavior and environment and utilize contextual factors, motivating operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcement, and other procedures to help individuals develop new behaviors, increase or decrease existing behaviors, and emit behaviors under specific social, instructional, and environmental conditions.

The following is a list of exceptions to the licensing requirement:

• An individual who is providing behavior analysis services under the authority and direction of a licensed behavior analyst.

• An individual who is licensed to practice psychology.

• An individual who is practicing under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

• An individual who is licensed, certified, or registered by the state to practice within their own scope of practice.

• An employee of a school district who is employed to provide behavior analysis services.

• An employee of a program that is licensed under chapter 245D and is employed to provide behavioral support services.

• An individual who is teaching behavior analysis or conducting behavior analysis research in an accredited school.

• A family member of the recipient of behavior analysis services. ​

 

Click here for guidance on how to apply for licensure.

Click here for the detailed law passed by the legislature.

Click here to see the HF 5247, the big overall bill that the BCBA license is part of. You can find the record of the vote and governor's signature here.

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