Florida requires state licensure for behavior analysts through the Florida Department of Health, with BCBA® certification typically required for eligibility. To earn your BCBA®, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam. Florida’s job market is growing fast — employment is projected to increase 29% by 2032.
Florida requires state licensure for behavior analysts through the Florida Department of Health. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) offers the nationally recognized BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst®) certification, which is typically required for state licensure eligibility.
At one time, the Florida Behavior Analysis Certification Program, part of the Florida Department of Children and Families/APD, certified behavior analysts in Florida. That program shut down in October 2003. Individuals certified under it may continue using the Florida Certified Behavior Analyst® (FL-CBA®) designation within the state. FL-CBAs® whose certification has expired must reapply under current BCBA® requirements.
Holding the widely respected BCBA® designation lets you demonstrate to colleagues, clients, and employers that you’ve met national standards for the profession and proven your skills through national examination.
How to Earn Your Master’s Degree and BCBA® Credential in Florida
The BCBA® certification from the BACB is the recognized professional standard for behavior analysts in Florida and a key step toward meeting state licensure requirements.
Education Requirements
The first step is to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in behavior analysis or a related field, such as education or psychology. To ensure your program meets the BACB’s curriculum standards, look for programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
You can also meet BCBA® requirements by earning a master’s degree or above and completing 315 hours of graduate coursework in behavior analysis that covers:
- BACB Ethics Code and Code-Enforcement System; Professionalism: 45 hours
- Philosophical Underpinnings; Concepts and Principles: 90 hours
- Measurement, Data Display and Interpretation; Experimental Design: 45 hours
- Behavior Assessment: 45 hours
- Behavior-Change Procedures; Selecting and Implementing Interventions: 60 hours
- Personnel Supervision and Management: 60 hours
If you’re applying based on coursework, you’ll need to provide proof through a course-by-course review (your department chair, dean, or BCBA®-certified VCS Coordinator must complete a Non-Verified Course Content Attestation) or by completing an ABAI Verified Course Sequence (VCS). Note: The VCS system ended on December 31, 2025. Beginning in 2026, verification must occur through your university.
Experience Requirements
Along with your graduate degree, you’ll need to complete supervised fieldwork totaling between 1,500 and 2,000 hours within five years. Your fieldwork falls into one of two categories:
- Supervised Independent Fieldwork: 2,000 hours (5% supervised)
- Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: 1,500 hours (10% supervised)
You can start accruing hours as soon as you begin your qualifying graduate-level coursework and have secured a qualified supervisor. If you earn your degree through an ABAI-accredited or APBA-accredited program, you’ll likely complete most or all of your required hours through the built-in practicum.
Some Florida ABA providers where you may be able to complete your fieldwork include:
- ABC Interventions, St. Petersburg
- Applied Behavior Innovations, Jupiter
- Behavior Dynamics, Miami Lakes
- Behavior Builders, LLC, Jacksonville
- Behavior Consulting of Tampa Bay, Tampa
- Breaking Barriers, Ft. Lauderdale
- Creative Behavior Solutions, Miami
- Development and Behavior Therapy, Boca Raton
- Florida Autism Center, Tallahassee, Doral, Palm Coast
- Heal the World Behavioral Services, Miami
Exam Requirements
Once you’ve met the education and experience requirements, you’ll apply to the BACB to take the BCBA® exam. The exam includes 175 scored questions across these domains:
- Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations: 5%
- Concepts and Principles: 14%
- Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation: 12%
- Experimental Design: 7%
- Ethical and Professional Issues: 13%
- Behavior Assessment: 13%
- Behavior-Change Procedures: 14%
- Selecting and Implementing Interventions: 11%
- Personnel Supervision and Management: 11%
The BCBA® exam is administered by Pearson VUE at testing sites throughout Florida, including locations in Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, Port Charlotte, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Pembroke Pines, Doral, Plantation, Fort Myers, Deerfield Beach, and St. Petersburg. For detailed step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process, visit our certification guide.
Apply for State Licensure in Florida
Florida requires state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst. While BCBA® certification is typically required for licensure eligibility, practitioners must also apply for and maintain a Florida license through the Florida Department of Health. For the most current requirements, fees, and application steps, check directly with the Florida Department of Health. Our state-by-state guide to ABA licensing also covers how Florida’s requirements compare with those of other states.
ABA Salary and Career Outlook in Florida
Florida is one of the stronger job markets for ABA professionals nationwide, and the numbers back that up. Employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors — the BLS category that includes ABA and BCBA professionals — is projected to grow 29% in Florida between 2022 and 2032, well above the national projection of 17%. The state is expected to add nearly 5,000 new positions over that period, with roughly 2,120 job openings annually.
As of May 2024, Florida employed 24,680 professionals in this category. The statewide median salary was $56,830, with a mean of $60,480. Entry-level positions start around $38,790 (10th percentile), while experienced professionals at the top of the field earn $83,330 or more (90th percentile). Keep in mind that BCBA professionals often earn more than these BLS figures, which reflect a broader category of counselors.
Here’s how salaries break down across Florida’s major metro areas:
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $57,870 | $102,430 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $58,200 | $80,670 |
| Naples-Marco Island | $61,660 | $90,810 |
| Tallahassee | $53,310 | $99,590 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $54,800 | $82,700 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $50,690 | $87,840 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $64,900 | $83,980 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $58,880 | $82,800 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $55,430 | $88,220 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $56,260 | $83,770 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $50,430 | $81,400 |
| Gainesville | $49,950 | $78,360 |
Florida’s Efforts to Improve the Lives of Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disorders
Florida has made significant strides in recent years for children and adults with autism and other developmental disorders, which has expanded the availability of ABA services. Autism Speaks maintains a directory of ABA service providers throughout the U.S., listing more than 300 providers in Florida alone.
One of the biggest turning points for ABA services in Florida came in 2008, when Governor Charlie Crist established the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The goal was to create a unified agenda so that the state could better address the needs of individuals with autism. The task force includes parents, representatives from state and local government agencies, healthcare providers, and advocates for the autistic.
Florida is also home to seven regional Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) sites, each housed at a state university. CARD sites provide information, training, and resources for individuals with autism and other developmental disorders, and support state agencies developing training for early childcare providers and educators. State agencies collaborating with CARD include Florida Early Steps, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Network on Disabilities, the Florida Inclusion Network, the Florida Independent Living Council, and Whole Child Florida.
Florida first mandated insurance coverage for autism-related services, including ABA, through legislation enacted in 2008–2009. Subsequent legislation expanded Medicaid coverage and access to school-based services. In April 2022, Bill CS/HB 255 allowed behavior technicians working under the direction of BCBAs to provide ABA services in the classroom setting. Beginning in February 2025, ABA services are reimbursed by the Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program.
ABA Providers Making a Difference in Florida
Applied behavior analysts in Florida are improving the lives of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in schools, hospitals, universities, nonprofits, and mental health practices across the state.
Square One Behavioral Services Inc., Palm Beach County
Square One offers ABA services in the home, school, and community. BCBAs conduct behavioral assessments and create customized interventions, including services that help children build social skills and improve classroom interactions. Parent training is also a core part of their services, covering effective behavior management techniques and practical resources for families.
Angels Therapy Center, Miami
Angels Therapy Center provides individualized ABA programs and services for children with autism and their families. The center specializes in the verbal behavior branch of ABA through age-appropriate play, with programs that cover social skills, communication, life skills, academics, and the visual and performing arts.
Alpine Academy, Orlando
Alpine Academy serves students with autism, ADHD, specific learning disabilities, and other behavioral or emotional needs. Behavior analysts work alongside educators to provide individualized instruction, monitor progress, and implement ABA therapies to improve academic, communication, social, self-care, and self-management skills. Their Language and Learning Skills Program delivers intensive ABA instruction in language and critical learning skills for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Better Life Behavioral Services of Central Florida, Leesburg
Better Life Behavioral Services focuses on Lake and Sumter Counties, developing individualized treatment plans to address behavioral excesses and deficits using an ABA approach. They provide focused and comprehensive care for children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, developmental delays, and adults exhibiting dangerous behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require a state license for behavior analysts?
Yes. Florida requires state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst through the Florida Department of Health. BCBA® certification is typically required for licensure eligibility, but practitioners must also apply for and maintain a separate Florida state license.
How long does it take to become a BCBA® in Florida?
Most people take three to five years total. That includes completing a qualifying master’s degree (typically two years), accumulating 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (which you can do concurrently with your degree), and passing the BCBA® exam.
What is the job outlook for ABA professionals in Florida?
Strong. Florida projects 29% employment growth for this field between 2022 and 2032, nearly double the national rate of 17%, with roughly 2,120 job openings expected annually.
What do BCBAs earn in Florida?
The statewide median salary for this BLS category is $56,830 as of May 2024, with a mean of $60,480. BCBA professionals typically earn above these figures. In Jacksonville, the top 10% earn over $102,000, and in Tallahassee, the top 10% earn nearly $100,000.
What happened to the Florida Behavior Analysis Certification Program?
The Florida Behavior Analysis Certification Program, part of the Florida Department of Children and Families/APD, shut down in October 2003. Individuals certified under that program may continue to use the FL-CBA® designation in Florida, but anyone whose certification has expired must now meet current BCBA® requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Florida requires state licensure for behavior analysts through the Florida Department of Health, with BCBA® certification typically required for eligibility.
- Three steps to your BCBA®: a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam.
- Florida’s job market is growing fast, with a projected 29% increase in employment by 2032 and roughly 2,120 annual job openings. The statewide median salary is $56,830 as of May 2024, with top earners in Jacksonville earning over $102,000.
- Expanded insurance mandates and Medicaid reimbursement have significantly grown the number of ABA providers and career opportunities across the state.
Ready to take the next step toward your BCBA® credential in Florida? Explore accredited programs that fit your schedule and goals.
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.