Organizations seeking a practitioner capable of blending academic leadership with sound clinical expertise typically seek individuals with a BCBA-D credential.
The BACB’s Applied Behavior Analysis certification program allows organizations to identify analysts who have completed the highest level of training in behavior analysis. The BCBA-D designation marks the highest level of training recognized by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
At this level, the BCBA-Ds form standard BCBAs because their preparation reflects doctoral-level training.
The BCBA-D credential demonstrates that an analyst has received doctoral training, including sustained research experience and a deep understanding of the conceptual foundations of behavior. BCBA-D holders have completed postgraduate programs (Ph.D., Ed.D., or Psy.D.) and conducted original research projects that contribute credible evidence for the field.
A title is not only a sign of one’s academic accomplishments but a description of their ability to synthesize science, practice, and teaching into a role as a professional. A BCBA-D is responsible for designing and developing treatment interventions for clients, providing clinical leadership, training and mentoring new behavior analysts, serving on ethics or accreditation committees, and contributing new knowledge to the field through publishing and presenting at conferences.
What Does “BCBA-D” Mean?
The BCBA-D designation indicates a professional who possesses a doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., or Psy.D.) in behavior analysis, psychology, education or another related field, and holds a BCBA certification with evidence of meeting BACB’s established standards for advanced academic training.
Although BCBA-Ds are expected to fulfill the same duties as all other BCBAs – developing and implementing behavior intervention programs, supervising staff and ensuring that services are of good quality and follow ethical standards -, the BCBA-D’s extensive research training allows the professional to teach and generate new knowledge. This advanced preparation also contributes to the discipline’s theoretical and methodological growth.
Common professional areas a BCBA-D may work in include:
- Teaching and coordinating university-based behavior analysis programs.
- Providing clinical supervision and leadership for institutions.
- Consulting and developing behavior-based programming in various organizations.
- Providing advanced supervision to developing professionals.
- Conducting applied or translational research in the field of behavior analysis.
Differences Between BCBA and BCBA-D
The BCBA-D, a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential, does not, per se, broaden the scope of practice for BCBAs. However, it does indicate that the individual has attained a higher level of education – specifically a doctorate. Therefore, BCBAs and BCBAs-D have the same level of clinical authority; the main difference is that BCBAs-D have pursued a doctoral route and received additional training in research and teaching.
In addition to sharing the same clinical scope as BCBAs, a BCBA-D designation often indicates deeper involvement in scholarship and leadership in program development or evidence-based initiatives within their organization or university.
The designation does not add clinical privileges. However, it can provide access to academic, grant-funded, and supervisory roles that value advanced methodological training. Therefore, the designation may indicate an interest in contributing to the scientific foundations of behavior analysis and in disseminating behavioral science.
How to Obtain a BCBA-D
Before obtaining BCBA-D status, you must first be an active BCBA. After becoming a BCBA, you may request recognition as a doctoral-level Behavior Analyst by completing the following steps:
1. Obtain a Doctoral Degree
To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D), an individual must hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or Psy.D.) in behaviour analysis/psychology/education, or a related field. In addition to a Ph.D. (or its equivalent), doctoral-level training includes advanced coursework in behaviour analysis and concepts, experimental analysis of behaviour, research design, and supervisory skills.
Additionally, the candidate must develop an original doctoral dissertation. This work must meaningfully contribute to the behavior-analytic literature. This phase is both academic and practical. It helps the professional deepen their conceptual understanding, strengthen research skills, and demonstrate the ability to generate new knowledge in behavior analysis.
2. Maintain an Active BCBA Certification
The BCBA-D is not a separate license; rather, it is an advanced designation for individuals who hold an active BCBA credential in good standing. To retain the BCBA-D, candidates must maintain their BCBA credential, adhere to the BACB Ethics Code, and complete all required postgraduate professional development credits. Most doctoral candidates are already practicing BCBAs before entering the doctoral program and, therefore, have been able to integrate applied work with their research responsibilities effectively. The dual involvement helps ensure that their doctoral training remains grounded in real-world practice and consistent with ethical, evidence-based standards.
3. Submit Academic and Research Documentation
To confirm your eligibility, you must provide the BACB with documented evidence of your doctoral education in terms of behavior analysis. This typically includes official transcripts indicating the doctoral level of education, verification of your degree from an accredited university, and a summary or complete copy of the dissertation. The BACB will assess the documentation you provide and verify that the applicant’s programme of study meets BACB standards for behavior analysis and reflects substantial training in behavioral sciences. The Board may request additional documentation if further clarification is required in specific areas, such as coursework, focus, research, or department.
4. Apply for the BCBA-D Designation
Once your doctoral programme and certification requirements have been reviewed and confirmed to be complete, you can submit your application to gain the BCBA-D designation. The application consists of submitting your final academic records, documentation of the applicant’s research work, and paying the required administrative fee. No additional examination is required: the evaluation and verification of the applicant’s doctoral training are sufficient.
5. Maintain the Designation
The BCBA-D is a designation that is renewed every two years, following the same process as the BCBA. The BCBA-D follows the exact renewal requirements as the BCBA: biennial recertification, 32 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and completion of required ethics and supervision training.
There are no CEU requirements specific to a BCBA-D; however, many BCBA-Ds continue to participate in research, publishing, teaching, and providing professional education. Therefore, the BCBA-D distinction is supported by ongoing research and professional involvement.
Roles and Responsibilities of a BCBA-D
- Is responsible for the same duties that a BCBA would perform, including assessment, developing and implementing programs, and supervising their delivery, while also assuming academic and scientific leadership roles.
- Their involvement in research and development of knowledge includes conducting original research and contributing to peer-reviewed publications, attending conferences, and collaborating with others across disciplines.
- Teach in master’s or doctoral programs, coordinating VCS classes and supervising master’s level theses or practicums. They contribute to developing the next generation of analysts with rigor and ethics.
- Perform advanced supervisory duties. In addition to supervising BCaBAs and RBTs, BCBA-Ds often mentor other BCBAs and lead initiatives to improve institutional quality standards. As a result, they usually become methodological and ethical references in the field.
- Many BCBA-Ds serve on ethics boards, licensing committees, and/or professional advisory groups to help develop regulations, practice standards, and community-level behavioral programs.
Year Over Year Growth in Certified BCBA-D’s
| Year | BCBA-D’s | YoY Change | YoY Growth |
| 2020 | 2,288 | – | = |
| 2021 | 2,414 | +126 | +5.5% |
| 2022 | 2,534 | +120 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | 2,637 | +103 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 2,784 | +147 | +5.6% |
Source: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), Region-Specific Certificant Data (United States).
Figure 1 shows steady growth in the total number of U.S. BCBA-D certified individuals from 2020-2024, up around 22% over this time period. While there is definitely growth in BCBA-D’s it’s growth is relatively slow compared to BCBA’s due to the fact that there is no separate licensure or specific practice authority for those with the -D designation, which caps the justification for pursuing the additional education, research, and experience requirements.
Research Competencies
Doctoral candidates in ABA develop a particular way of thinking during their doctoral training. Once candidates earn their doctorate, they learn how to take a complex problem and translate it into precise, functional questions.
Candidates then design experiments to test them. This requires candidates to choose either a single-case or group experimental design that permits valid inferences from the data and supports interpretation of the results of their analyses.
Researchers communicate their findings ethically and clearly, ensuring that results are replicable and transferable to a variety of clinical, educational, and organizational contexts.
Examples of research areas include:
- Treatment integrity and implementation fidelity.
- Staff and caregiver training.
- Behavioral economics and decision-making.
- Autism and developmental interventions.
- Organizational Behavior Management (OBM).
- Translational research bridging neuroscience and ABA.
Reasons to Pursue the BCBA-D Designation
Advanced Academic and Professional Standing
As the highest level of credentialing within BACB, the BCBA-D credential represents the highest level through research, teaching, and ethical practice. As a result, attaining a BCBA-D designation enhances an individual’s academic profile and professional credibility.
Specialized Career Paths
Individuals with a BCBA-D may qualify for positions such as professors or academic coordinators; clinical or educational program directors; and principal investigators at universities or research/training facilities and public or private agencies as consultants for these organizations. For individuals with a BCBA-D, the designation can open doors to positions that involve leadership, supervision, and clinical or research-related expertise.
Impact and Leadership in the Field
BCBA-D Professionals guide their teams, promote ethical values, and foster the professional development of other behavior analysts who contribute to the development of high-quality evidence that advances behavior analysis.
Job Outlook and Salary
As ABA expands, more organizations, such as universities, hospitals, and health care organizations, seek leaders who can integrate practice and research.
- Average BCBA salary: $70,000–$95,000 USD annually.
- Average BCBA-D salary: $95,000–$130,000 USD annually.
The salary figures vary depending on experience, geographical location, and type of organization. Beyond income, the doctoral degree may also increase one’s influence within an institution.
Doctorate in Behavior Analysis vs. BCBA-D Designation
The Doctorate in Behavior Analysis is an academic degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D.) focused on teaching and research. It includes graduate-level coursework in theory, methodology, experimental design, statistics, ethics, and the doctoral dissertation. This degree is intended to prepare faculty and researchers to design academic projects.
It should be noted that it does not permit independent ABA practice, nor does it qualify one for supervision according to BACB standards.
In contrast, the BCBA-D represents the intersection between professional practice and academic research and is granted by the BCBA (a professional designation from the BCBA that accompanies an active BCBA certification).
Transition from BCBA to BCBA-D: Practical Considerations
Obtaining the BCBA-D while maintaining a BCBA position requires several years of planning; however, adjusting your process based on some of the following criteria can make the transition much easier.
- Choosing a program that fits the schedule (on-site, hybrid, or online) and is preferably accredited by ABAI.
- Researching potential scholarships, stipends, and teaching assistantships that can help reduce tuition costs and connect with the lab and academic community.
- Developing the dissertation based on clinical work, treatment-integration projects, staff-training studies, or individual case data.
- Discussing authorship, expectations with mentors ahead of time, and continuing to produce small scholarly projects.
Once the doctorate is completed, the transition to the BCBA-D designation is almost automatic, as the BACB will request official verification of an active BCBA certification. Your current credential will then be automatically updated in the official BACB registry to BCBA-D once all required documents have been received.
BCBA-D and Telehealth
The expansion of ABA services in remote locations has led to telehealth becoming part of the typical practice of behavior analysts (BAs). This modality also allows BCBAs with doctoral degrees to offer additional research, supervision, and remote education options while working within ethical and legal guidelines.
Using telehealth technology, BCBA-Ds can provide various types of support to their teams. This includes supervision, training of health professionals, institutional consultation, and functional assessment when in-person services are not available. In addition to ensuring confidentiality, BCBA-Ds require specific consent for telepractice and use secure platforms that comply with HIPAA standards.
As BCBAs continue to utilize telehealth technology, it is crucial to remember that licensure is state-specific. Licensure requirements depend on the state’s regulations where services are provided. BCBA-Ds also have the unique opportunity to research the effectiveness and accessibility of virtual models and to play a key support role in developing the best evidence-based procedures for future digital applications of ABA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the BCBA-D grant more clinical authority than the BCBA?
No, the only difference is professional reputation. The BCBA-D is a doctoral designation added to the BCBA. There are no additional legal or billing privileges associated with the BCBA-D.
They are often linked to academic, research, and leadership positions where broader knowledge can enhance credibility. Clinical and ethical responsibilities, as well as clinical supervision, are the same as those of a BCBA.
Is there a separate exam for the BCBA-D?
No, there is the same exam for both BCBA and BCBA-D (only that the doctoral degree qualifies the candidate for the “-D” designation). Although they are equal in terms of competencies, BCBA-Ds must have completed a doctoral program to receive this designation. They share the same renewal and continuing education requirements as BCBA’s.
Can someone earn the BCBA-D without being a BCBA?
A BCBA-D cannot be obtained without holding an active BCBA. The BCBA must remain valid and active to qualify for BCBA-D.
How long does it take to become a BCBA-D?
Earning the BCBA-D typically takes about 8 to 12 years, including completing a bachelor’s degree, meeting the requirements for BCBA certification, and completing an eligible doctoral program.
The total time depends mainly on the duration of the doctoral degree. On average, this may take between 3 and 6 years. Some individuals continue working while completing their doctoral program. Once the requirements of being an active BCBA plus an accepted doctoral degree are met, obtaining the “-D” designation is relatively quick.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. in Psychology and a BCBA-D?
A doctorate in Psychology is a higher-education degree that may include behavioral content, but it does not automatically align with BACB requirements. The BCBA-D is a designation added to an active BCBA once it has been verified that the individual meets the requirements of an eligible doctoral degree. In other words, a doctorate provides research experience, while the BCBA-D demonstrates evidence of both clinical competence and training in behavioral research.
How much does it cost to obtain the BCBA-D?
The main costs are the tuition associated with the doctoral program and the time required to complete it. Prices vary by institution, but they are generally not excessive. In fact, many people offset these expenses with scholarships, financial aid, or employer support. The fee to add the “-D” to the BACB is low. Additionally, if the dissertation aligns with clinical or organizational needs, the overall value and impact are high.
How is the BCBA-D renewed?
The same way as for each BCBA, once every two years with a minimum of 32 CEUs, including ethics and supervision when applicable. Many BCBA-Ds exceed these minimum CEUs due to their roles in teaching, publishing, or CEU provision. Importantly, the certification renewal process for BCBA-Ds occurs independently from the state license renewals, but both must remain active to practice legally.
What are common research areas?
Research conducted by BCBA-Ds generally covers areas such as treatment fidelity, staff training, behavioral economics, intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), organizational behavior management (OBM), and telehealth-related outcomes. Additionally, BCBA-Ds frequently study technology-enhanced learning and its connection to applied behavior and neuroscience.
How many BCBA-Ds currently exist?
According to the BACB, there are approximately 1,000 BCBA-Ds, which is less than 5% of all certificants. Their limited number increases demand for professionals with clinical authority, academic rigor, and leadership within the field of behavior analysis.