Why We Built This Site
Applied behavior analysis has been quietly transforming lives for decades. Long before ABA became widely known for its work with children on the autism spectrum, behavior analysts were applying the same evidence-based principles to addiction, developmental disorders, brain injuries, and more.
But navigating the path into this field? That part has never been easy.
Licensing laws vary dramatically from state to state. BACB certification requirements have evolved over the years. And finding clear, accurate, up-to-date information about what it actually takes to become a practicing behavior analyst has always been harder than it should be.
AppliedBehaviorAnalysisEdu.org exists to fix that. We’ve spent over a decade building the most comprehensive resource available for anyone who wants to enter or advance in the ABA profession. Whether you’re a college student just discovering the field, a career changer coming from education or psychology, or a working RBT pursuing BCBA certification, this site is built for you.
Meet Our Lead Expert
Dr. Natalie Quinn, PhD, BCBA-D is the lead author and content expert behind AppliedBehaviorAnalysisEdu.org. She’s a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level with over 14 years of hands-on experience in applied behavior analysis.
Dr. Quinn holds a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology and a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida — two of the most respected institutions in the field. Her career has spanned direct clinical work, supervision of behavior technicians, and academic research.
Every guide, licensing overview, and certification breakdown on this site reflects her commitment to accuracy. She knows how quickly the field changes — new state laws, updated BACB standards, emerging practice areas — and she’s committed to making sure the information here keeps pace.
Our Editorial Standards
We take accuracy seriously. This is a site where the information we publish can genuinely affect people’s careers and livelihoods. We hold ourselves to a high bar.
Our guides are researched and written by credentialed ABA professionals and experienced healthcare and education writers. State-specific licensing information is cross-referenced against official state licensing board requirements before publication. Salary data is drawn directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certification requirements are verified against current BACB standards.
We update content when laws change, when BACB standards evolve, and when new research shifts best practices. If you spot something that looks outdated, we want to know. Reach us at [email protected].
Expert Contributors
We’ve been fortunate to work with some exceptional minds in the ABA community. Their insights and expertise shaped the foundation of this site.
Dr. Michael F. Dorsey, LABA, BCBA-D — Since the 1970s, Dr. Dorsey has been a practitioner and research pioneer in the field of behavior analysis. He’s credited with writing the original model licensing act for ABAs, which has been adopted by many states in the years since. Dr. Dorsey is Professor of Education and Director of the Institute of Behavioral Studies for the Van Loan School at Endicott College in Massachusetts. LinkedIn
Jamie Waldvogel, BCBA — Jamie founded Behave Your Best to bring the principles of applied behavior analysis to families and organizations. She and her team of consultants work with families in their homes to assess problem behaviors and find long-term solutions, and also consult with childcare centers and businesses. LinkedIn
Our Writing Team
The guides and articles on this site wouldn’t exist without a dedicated team of writers who’ve spent years covering ABA education, healthcare, and career pathways.
Amy Barnard — Amy has worked in the non-profit and copywriting arenas since 2001. Her personal experience with individuals on the autism spectrum sparked a journey of research and learning that informs everything she writes about ABA. She holds a BS in English-Writing.
Dr. Helga George — Dr. George spent several years writing about higher education, healthcare, and psychology after a research career in plant biology. She holds a BS in Agriculture from Cornell University, an MS in Plant Pathology from UMass Amherst, and a PhD in Plant Pathology from Cornell, and conducted postdoctoral research at UC Santa Barbara with USDA grant funding. LinkedIn
Laura Wrede — Laura is an author, artist, and photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BS in Leadership and a BS in Theology, and has been writing for print and online publications since 2007.
Sandra Meyer — Sandra graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English from NYIT and has worked as a freelance writer since 2009, specializing in blogs, content articles, and business profiles.
Scott Wilson — Scott is an author and IT consultant based in the Pacific Northwest. He holds a BA in English from the University of Washington and has spent more than 20 years in information technology, giving him a sharp eye for clear, precise writing. LinkedIn
Hannah Coffman — Hannah is a writer and grant writing consultant with a BA in English. She’s developed online content covering real estate, fundraising, education, and healthcare over the past several years.
Rebecca Turley — Rebecca is a full-time writer and editor with a BA in Journalism and Communications. Throughout her career she’s contributed to high-profile websites and blogs covering education, healthcare, and psychology.
What You’ll Find Here
This site covers the full spectrum of ABA education and career pathways:
- Detailed licensing guides for all 50 states, covering current requirements, pending legislation, and insurance mandates
- National and state-level salary data sourced directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Education guides covering undergraduate pathways, master’s programs, and doctoral options aligned with BACB coursework requirements
- BACB certification overviews for RBT, BCaBA, BCBA, and BCBA-D credentials
- In-depth guides on ABA practice areas and the populations behavior analysts serve
- Coverage of emerging trends including telehealth, AI integration, and new research directions
If you’re trying to figure out where to start, our BACB certification overview and state-by-state licensing guide are good first stops.