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Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill: Update and Webinars

Sep 24th, 2015

Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill: Update and Webinars

Thank you to all of our members who were able to join us at one of the 6 Town Hall meetings held over the past few weeks to discuss the behavior analyst licensure bill. We were thrilled at the turnout and the enthusiastic support from our membership.

Much of our discussion revolved around the specific language of the bill and its implication on our membership. As you are aware, adoption of SB 946 substantially increased the already high demand for ABA services and, as a result, precipitated the need to adopt uniform, objective, verifiable standards and procedures for protecting consumers from risk of harm caused by individuals who make unsubstantiated claims that they are qualified to practice ABA. At present there are no such laws clearly requiring that individuals document and demonstrate training and competence in ABA in order to practice in this state, and no entity within California that has legal authority to directly regulate the practice of ABA. These were some of the contingencies that led CalABA to sponsor legislation that would license professional practitioners of behavior analysis in California.

Benefits of licensure to professionals and consumers would include:

  • Assuring the State and consumers that license holders meet standards for practicing ABA that are set by our profession.
    • That includes passing a valid national professional examination in the subject matter - a core requirement for obtaining legitimate professional licenses.
  • Oversight by a State board to regulate the practice of licensees, and to coordinate with the BACB on disciplinary matters.
    • This would provide California consumers of ABA services a double layer of protection, as the practice of licensees would be overseen by both the state licensing board and the BACB.
  • Providing behavior analysts parity with other similar professions licensed and regulated in California.
  • Ensuring the long-term sustainability of our field and allow for the expansion of applied behavior analysis beyond autism.

As we communicated to our membership via email last month, our bill will be held over until the beginning of the next legislative session. In January 2016 the bill will have a new author and continue through the legislative process. We are confident that, with your continued support, we will successfully pass a licensure bill in 2016.

The current version of the bill that is in print has been vetted through the appropriate legislative committees and has received overwhelming support to date from members of the legislature. Additionally, the Board of Psychology continues to work collaboratively with CalABA on the bill language and implementation strategies. During the next few months CalABA leadership, along with our lobbyist team in Sacramento, will be engaging directly with the Governor's office on the few remaining technical issues that need resolution.

In order to continue to educate our membership on the intricacies of the behavior analyst licensure bill we have scheduled a series of webinars over the next few weeks. Each webinar will provide a "deep dive" into specific sections of the bill and allow ample time for Q/A following each presentation. Please register for as many as you are able to attend. 1 CEU will be available for each event:

10/1/15 - 11am
The Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill - An Overview
Register here: https://goo.gl/6TggJm

10/5/15 - 2pm
The Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill - Exemptions Review
Register here: https://goo.gl/BGSts7

10/8/15 - 10am
The Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill - Impact on Paraprofessionals
Register here: https://goo.gl/wsg8tc

10/12/15 - 11am
The Behavior Analyst Licensure Bill - Impact on Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, and "Middle Tier" Providers
Register here: https://goo.gl/B0tJvh

As always, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Thank you again for the continued support!

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