Welcome to the NJABA Advocacy page! As the Government Affairs Chair, Nicole L. Stewart, M.S.Ed., BCBA, LBA-NY, compiled this information. Please feel free to reach out with your ideas, questions, and more.
Within this section, you can expect to find:
LICENSURE FAQ
What is the purpose of the ABA Licensing Board?
To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of New Jersey, regulate the practice of applied behavior analysis, and take action against the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized or unqualified practice of applied behavior analysis and guard against unprofessional conduct by the licensed individuals who practice applied behavior analysis.
The licensure board, through the Division of Consumer Affairs, will oversee compliance with the ABA Licensing Act and regulations.
When was ABA licensure signed into law?
January 13, 2020
How do I view the Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Act?
When did the ABA licensure law go into effect?
On the 180th day following the enactment – July 11, 2020
Who are the ABA Licensing Board members?
|
Suzanne Buchanan, Psy.D., BCBA-D |
Current |
Chair |
Professional |
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David Wilson, Ph.D., BCBA-D |
Current |
Vice-Chair |
Professional |
|
Darren Blough, MSW, BCaBA |
Current |
|
Professional |
|
James A. Paone, II, Esq. |
Current |
Public |
|
|
Sandra Howell,Ph.D. |
Current |
State Government |
|
|
Lisa Toole, M.A., BCBA |
Current |
Professional |
|
|
Rosemary Browne, MSW |
Current |
Public |
What are my options for becoming licensed?
Two options for licensure will be offered:
Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
To be eligible to be licensed as a licensed applied behavior analyst, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
- be at least 21 years of age;
- be of good moral character;
- have a current certification from a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American National Standards Institute, or a substantial equivalent to credential professional practitioners of applied behavior analysis related to the principles and practice of the profession of applied behavior analysis that is approved by the board; and
- submit proof that the applicant holds a graduate degree from an accredited university or other institution of higher learning
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA)
To be eligible to be licensed as a licensed assistant applied behavior analyst, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:
- be at least 21 years of age;
- be of good moral character;
- have a current certification from a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American National Standards Institute, or a substantial equivalent to credential professional practitioners of applied behavior analysis related to the principles and practice of the profession of applied behavior analysis that is approved by the board;
- submit proof that the applicant holds an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or other institution of higher learning; and
- submit proof satisfactory to the board of ongoing supervision by a licensed applied behavior analyst in accordance with the board’s requirements.
If I am a BCBA, do I need to do anything?
Not yet. Once the regulations are finalized and adopted by the licensure board, an application for licensure will be published and made available to the public.
What do “proposed regulations” mean?
Proposed regulations are the official document(s) that announces and explains the agency’s plan to address a problem or accomplish a goal. All proposed rules must be published in the Federal Register to notify the public and to give them an opportunity to submit comments.
What is a public comment period?
A public comment period is the range of time the public has to submit input before an agency makes a final decision on a proposed rule.
When does the public comment period end?
July 14, 2023
How do I view the proposed regulations?
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Proposals/Pages/default.aspx
Do I need to submit a comment on the regulations?
The short answer is no. If you feel compelled to do so, we strongly encourage you to exercise your right to submit a comment. NJABA will be submitting a comment on behalf of its members.
How do I submit a comment?
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Proposals
Comments concerning the proposed regulations should be sent via email toDCAProposal@dca.lps.state.nj.us and include the following:
Email Subject Line: Rule Proposal Subject and in the Email
Email Body: Comments to the Rule Proposal, Name, Affiliation and Contact Information (email address and telephone number)
What happens next?
Public comments, along with the licensure board’s responses, will be made public. These comments may inflict changes to the proposed rule. Following the comment and response period, the regulations will be finalized by the licensure board by filing a notice of adoption with the Office of Administrative Law for publication in the New Jersey Register. The notice of adoption will include additional information such as the effective date of the regulations. This process could take up to one year.
After the adoption of the regulations, the license application will be published and made available to the public.
LICENSURE LAW
Public Comment Period Now Open for ABA Licensing Regulations (5/15/2023)
Governor Appoints Inaugural Members to the State ABA Licensure Board (7/28/2021)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Update (6/21/2021)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Becomes Law (1/13/20)
For more information on licensure law, click the link below!
Licensure Law
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Passes the Assembly (1/31/19)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Passes Through Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (1/24/19)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Passes Through Senate Commerce Committee (1/3/19)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act Heads to Governor’s Desk (12/17/19)
Senate Budget Committee Approves Behavior Analyst Licensing Act (12/05/19)
Behavior Analyst Licensing Bill Introduced in Senate and Assembly (10/23/18)
For more information on Legislative Updates, click the link below!
Legislative Updates
Webinars
The following webinars provided NJABA members with opportunities to learn more about the licensing of behavior analysts and its impact on consumers and the profession.
Hosted by: Autism NJ and NJABA
Presenter: Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
CEU Information: CEUs are no longer available under the Type 3 option.
The webinars are free, but registration is required.
Upholding Professional Standards in the Regulation of ABA Practitioners
(Recorded March 15, 2018)
Regulation of ABA Practitioners
(Recorded March 6, 2018)
Information Sessions
Thank you to the 220 participants who attended our licensure information session in April and May. We had some great discussions, heard many well thought out questions, and received valuable feedback that will assist us with this initiative. The evaluations for all three sessions were very positive, and the comments made it clear that the attendees appreciated the efforts to educate them on this topic.
Sample Comments
- “In depth discussion. A product of a hard-working team.”
- “Very helpful and informative. Thank you!”
- “Great presentation! Made me a believer in licensure for behavior analysts in NJ!”
We would also like to thank Suzanne Buchanan, Psy.D., BCBA-D, the NJABA Board of Directors and the following panelists for taking time out of their busy schedules to present and show their support for licensure in New Jersey.
| South | North | Central |
| MaryLou Kerwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D | Kenneth Reeve, Ph.D., BCBA-D | Bob LaRue, Ph.D., BCBA-D |
| Patrick Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D | Bridget Taylor, Psy.D., BCBA-D | Kevin Brothers, Ph.D., BCBA-D |
| David Wilson, Ph.D., BCBA-D | Eric Rozenblat, Ph.D., BCBA-D | Frances Perrin, Ph.D., BCBA-D |
Past Accomplishments
The NJABA Government Affairs (GA) team has been advocating for the ethical and effective delivery of behavior analytic services and the profession since the organization’s inception. We are dedicated to advancing licensure and state-based standards for provider qualifications for the practice of behavior analysis.
The GA team educates state officials about the profession and how clients’ lives are substantially impacted by access to care, reimbursement rates, provider qualification standards, funding, quality assurance, and more.
Here are our major accomplishments to date.
- Medicaid coverage of ABA for children (0-21) with autism – led by our partner, Autism New Jersey, this is a new funding stream for ABA services
- Children’s System of Care (CSOC) Intensive In-Home (IIH) reimbursement rates – contact us for information
- Department of Education (DOE) Job Code
- Autism Insurance Mandate – provider qualifications
- Autism Insurance Mandate – removal of age cap
- Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) – Improved Provider Qualifications for Behavioral Support Services
- Community Care Program Manual – page 90
- Supports Program Manual – page 85
- The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund – up to a state-set maximum, this fund reimburses families for medically necessary ABA services
- NJ Civil Service Job Description – Search “Behavior” in “Title Name,” and it lists four (4) behavior analysis-related titles. While NJABA was not involved in their development, we wanted to make you aware of them and welcome relevant questions and ideas.