New Jersey is one of the more straightforward states for becoming a BCBA. You’ll earn a graduate degree, complete 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA exam, and then apply for state licensure through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. The state board was established following 2019 legislation and requires both national BACB certification and a passing score on the NJ jurisprudence exam.
If you’re looking at ABA as a career in New Jersey, you’re entering a field with real momentum. The Garden State has some of the strongest autism insurance protections in the country, an established state licensing board, and a job market projected to grow 18.5% through 2032. That’s good news for anyone working through the certification process right now.
Here’s what the path looks like from start to finish as a licensed ABA professional.
Earn Your Graduate Degree
The first thing you need to know: the path to becoming a licensed behavior analyst in New Jersey runs through a master’s degree. There’s no way around it. The New Jersey State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners requires that all applicants hold a graduate degree from an accredited university and national BCBA certification from the BACB.
The fastest route to certification is completing a master’s or doctoral program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International(AABAI or recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis IAAPBA. These programs are built to satisfy all BACB educational requirements from the start, so there’s no additional coursework scrambling after graduation.
If you already have a graduate degree in a related field like psychology or education, you can still qualify by completing graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis that covers:
- Ethics and professionalism (45 hours)
- Philosophical underpinnings, concepts, and principles (90 hours)
- Measurement, data display, and interpretation (45 hours)
- Behavior assessment (45 hours)
- Behavior-change procedures and selecting interventions (60 hours)
- Personnel supervision and management (60 hours)
The ABAI maintained a Verified Course Sequence (VCS) directory in which programs could confirm that their coursework met BACB standards. That system ended on December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, universities verify coursework directly through a course-by-course review rather than through ABAI. If you’re evaluating programs now, ask admissions whether their curriculum aligns with current BACB Task List requirements, and confirm the verification process directly with the BACB.
Complete Your Supervised Fieldwork
Once you’re enrolled in a graduate program and taking behavior analysis coursework, you can begin accumulating supervised fieldwork hours. The BACB requires between 1,500 and 2,000 hours total, depending on the intensity of supervision you receive.
You don’t need to wait until graduation. Most students start logging hours during their program through embedded practicum experiences or by arranging a separate fieldwork placement. Your program director is usually the best resource for connecting you with qualified supervisors and approved sites.
New Jersey has no shortage of fieldwork options. The state’s strong ABA community means you’ll find clinics, school-based programs, hospital services, and in-home providers throughout the state. A few examples of ABA providers where students have completed hours include:
- Amazing Strides of New Jersey ABA Therapy, West Orange
- Mastermind Behavior Services, Lakewood
- Achievement Behavior Care and ABA Therapy, Newark
- Therapy Associates ABA Services, Passaic
- Rainbow ABA Therapy, Bloomfield
Pass the BCBA Exam
After completing your educational and fieldwork requirements, you’ll apply to the BACB for exam eligibility. Once approved, the BACB will send you instructions to register with Pearson VUE, which administers all BACB exams.
You’ll have the option to test at a Pearson VUE center near you. In New Jersey, testing locations include:
- Princeton
- Piscataway
- Lyndhurst
- Jersey City
- Northfield
Pass the exam, and you’ll receive your BCBA certification from the BACB.
Apply for NJ State Licensure
With your BCBA certification in hand, you’re ready for the final step: applying for a New Jersey state license as an applied behavior therapist. Applications go through the MyLicense Online portal for the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Once the New Jersey State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners approves your application, they’ll notify you that you’re eligible to take the State Board Jurisprudence Examination. This 25-question exam tests your knowledge of the laws and regulations specific to ABA practice in New Jersey. Complete it, and you receive your license.
Your license requires renewal every two years. Your BCBA certification also renews every two years, which requires completing at least 32 continuing education units (CEUs), including a minimum of 4 hours focused on ethics.
BCBA Salary in New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the better-paying states for behavior analysts, and the data bear that out. According to May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), the state-level figures look like this:
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,680 |
| 25th percentile | $51,170 |
| Median (50th) | $64,710 |
| 75th percentile | $84,690 |
| 90th percentile | $118,320 |
The statewide median of $64,710 runs higher than the national median of $59,190 for this occupational category. You can see how that compares across every state on our ABA salaries by state page. And BCBA-credentialed professionals, especially those with experience and a strong supervision caseload, tend to earn on the higher end of these ranges.
If you’re near the New York metro area, the figures are particularly strong. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area, which covers much of northern New Jersey, shows a mean annual wage of $75,500, with top earners (90th percentile) reaching $112,690. The Trenton-Princeton area has a median of $63,850 and a 90th percentile of $100,420.
On the job growth side, New Jersey projects an 18.5% increase in positions for this field from 2022 to 2032, adding approximately 2,410 jobs and generating around 1,410 average annual openings. That’s steady, consistent demand for qualified BCBAs throughout the state.
It’s also worth knowing that New Jersey has some of the strongest autism insurance coverage in the country. The state enacted autism insurance reform in 2009 and was an early adopter of ABLE tax-free savings accounts for disability-related expenses in 2016. That kind of policy infrastructure drives demand for ABA services, which directly translates into job-market stability for BCBAs. You can see how NJ’s coverage compares to other states in our state-by-state guide to autism insurance laws.
ABA Providers in New Jersey
New Jersey’s ABA landscape is broad, spanning hospital-based programs, nonprofits, and private clinics. Here are a few well-established organizations:
CSH AUTISM, Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Center of Excellence for Autism Services, Training, Advocacy, and Research (New Brunswick)
CSH AUTISM focuses on clinical innovation and evidence-based care. Services include specialized ABA for children, teens, and young adults with ASD across family, school, and community settings; early intervention for children birth to age 3; feeding and nutrition therapies; social skills groups; and a Severe Behavior Program through the Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH-RUCARES). They also offer Quick Peek, a free virtual developmental screening for children ages 1 to 5.
Autism Family Services of New Jersey (East Windsor)
Founded in 2004, this statewide nonprofit provides afterschool care, Saturday recreation, and family support services for New Jersey’s autism community. They’re an affiliate of The Family Resource Network, an umbrella organization focused on community-based programs.
New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence (NJACE) (Somerset)
NJACE works to improve health outcomes for individuals with autism across all life stages through community-oriented research, seed grants for researchers, workshops for clinicians, and a statewide ASD research database that connects autistic individuals and families with researchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master’s degree to become a licensed behavior analyst in New Jersey?
Yes. The New Jersey State Board of Applied Behavior Analyst Examiners requires a graduate degree from an accredited university as a condition of licensure. You can’t qualify with a bachelor’s degree alone, even with significant field experience.
What national certification do I need for NJ licensure?
The Board requires national certification from a nonprofit accrediting body recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In practice, the BACB’s BCBA or BCaBA credentials are the standard pathway. Most applicants pursue BCBA certification.
What is the NJ Jurisprudence Examination?
It’s a 25-question exam you take after the Board approves your state license application. It tests your knowledge of New Jersey-specific laws and regulations governing ABA practice. You can’t receive your license until you pass it.
How often do I renew my NJ behavior analyst license?
Every two years. Your BCBA certification also renews every two years, requiring at least 32 CEUs, with at least 4 of those hours focused on ethics.
Is there a salary difference between different parts of New Jersey?
Yes. Northern New Jersey, which falls within the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro, tends to pay more than other parts of the state, with a mean annual wage of $75,500 for this occupational category. The Trenton-Princeton area median is $63,85; Atlantic City-Hammonton is $54.15; and Vineland is $52,590.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate degree required — New Jersey requires a master’s degree, BCBA certification, and a passing score on the state jurisprudence exam before you can practice as a licensed behavior analyst.
- VCS system ended — The ABAI VCS system ended on December 31, 2025. Programs now verify coursework through a direct university review rather than ABAI’s VCS directory. Confirm the verification process with the BACB when evaluating programs.
- Competitive salaries — The NJ state median salary for this field is $64,710 as of May 2024, with northern New Jersey reaching a mean of $75,500 and top earners statewide hitting $118,320.
- Strong job growth — New Jersey projects 18.5% job growth in this field from 2022 to 2032, generating around 1,410 average annual openings.
- Robust insurance coverage — NJ’s autism insurance protections, enacted in 2009, and its early ABLE savings account legislation support sustained, long-term demand for ABA professionals in the state.
Ready to find the right program for your New Jersey BCBA path? Compare accredited ABA graduate programs and take the next step toward licensure.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Note: ABA/BCBA roles are included in this broader BLS category, and actual salaries for these professionals are frequently higher. ABA salaries can vary based on experience, location, and setting. Data accessed February 2026.