The Scope of Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis in State Licensure Laws

Introduction

Licensure laws play a critical role in defining what behavior analysts can and cannot do within their profession. Historically, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been guided by Baer et al.’s (1968) Seven Dimensions of ABA—a foundational framework that ensures interventions are applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, and capable of generalization. However, as licensure laws have developed at the state level, the way ABA practice is legally defined has evolved, sometimes deviating from these fundamental principles.

A recent study by Morris, Donovan, and Switzer (2024) examined how well state licensure laws align with these dimensions and whether there is consistency across states in defining the scope of practice for behavior analysts. This post will:

1. Summarize the study’s approach and key findings.
2. Explore how state laws define the scope of practice.
3. Discuss the implications for ABA practitioners and policymakers.

Understanding the Scope of Practice in ABA

The scope of practice refers to the activities and responsibilities that a professional is legally authorized to perform. Behavior analysts must operate within both:

• Scope of Competence – What an individual can effectively and ethically do based on training and experience.
• Scope of Practice – Broad legal boundaries for all credentialed professionals in the field.

As ABA has grown, so has the need for regulatory standards. State licensure emerged as a way to ensure quality control, ethical practice, and consumer protection, with the first licensure laws appearing in 2009. However, these laws may not always reflect the full, research-based framework originally laid out in ABA’s foundation.

Research Goals & Methodology

Morris et al. (2024) conducted this study to answer two major questions:

1. How well do state licensure laws align with the Seven Dimensions of ABA?
2. How consistent are the definitions of scope of practice across different states?

The Research Process

• The researchers reviewed licensure laws from 36 U.S. states (sourced from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s licensure list).
• They extracted and compared scope of practice statements from each state’s law.
• Each law was analyzed for references to:
  • Baer et al.’s Seven Dimensions of ABA
  • The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) Model Licensure Act

By coding the presence (or absence) of each ABA dimension in the laws, the researchers could assess how closely legal definitions align with traditional ABA principles.

Key Findings

1. Alignment with Baer et al.’s Seven Dimensions

The study found that most state laws reference some but not all of Baer et al.’s dimensions. The most frequently included dimensions were:

• Applied (97% of states) – Reflecting ABA’s focus on socially significant behavior.
• Effective (94%) – Emphasizing that interventions should produce meaningful change.
• Analytic (89%) – Highlighting data-driven decision-making.
• Behavioral (86%) – Stressing observable and measurable behavior.
• Conceptual Systems (83%) – Ensuring ABA interventions are rooted in established theoretical principles.

However, two dimensions were rarely mentioned in state laws:

• Technological (25%) – Ensuring interventions are clearly described for replication.
• Generality (19%) – Addressing whether behavior change sustains over time, across settings and people.

2. Inconsistencies in State Definitions

The study also revealed notable differences in how states define ABA practice:

• Some states provide broad and comprehensive definitions, ensuring all aspects of ABA are covered.
• Others use narrower language, which may restrict or limit certain aspects of practice (e.g., not including verbal behavior or organizational behavior management).
• Legal inconsistencies across states may create challenges for behavior analysts moving between states or providing telehealth services.

Implications for ABA Professionals

The findings of this study highlight several key considerations for behavior analysts, policymakers, and educators:

1. Advocacy for Comprehensive Licensure Language

Since some states exclude essential ABA components, behavior analysts should advocate for licensure laws that align fully with Baer et al.’s Seven Dimensions. Efforts should focus on ensuring:

• All seven dimensions are explicitly included in legal definitions.
• The scope of practice allows for emerging areas, such as telehealth and organizational behavior management.
• Regulations allow behavior analysts to work in interdisciplinary settings effectively.

2. Education & Training Adjustments

Training programs should inform future practitioners about state-specific regulations and how they may differ from the scientific foundations of ABA. Understanding these distinctions ensures behavior analysts can:

• Navigate legal restrictions in different practice settings.
• Communicate effectively with policymakers when changes are needed.
• Ensure their practice remains ethical and evidence-based despite legal limitations.

3. Addressing Portability & Consistency Issues

Given that ABA professionals often move between states, greater efforts are needed to harmonize licensure laws. This could involve:

• Encouraging states to adopt model licensure acts, such as the APBA’s Model Act.
• Creating multistate agreements to allow behavior analysts to practice across borders with fewer restrictions.
• Leveraging national organizations (such as the BACB or APBA) to clarify best practices for law development.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into how state licensure laws define ABA practice and whether these definitions align with foundational principles. While most laws include core ABA dimensions (such as “Applied,” “Effective,” and “Analytic”), others lack critical components like Technological and Generality. Additionally, varying definitions among states create challenges for practitioners, highlighting the need for standardized, comprehensive licensure laws.

ABA professionals must remain engaged in advocacy efforts to ensure regulations accurately reflect their practice. Understanding legal definitions and promoting consistency across states will strengthen the profession and ensure that high-quality, ethical ABA services can reach all who need them.

📢 Stay informed and advocate for strong licensure laws! Read the full study by Morris, Donovan, and Switzer (2024) here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00915-3.