To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) in Georgia, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the national BCBA® exam. Georgia’s Behavior Analyst Licensing Board is now operational, and BCBA® certification serves as the basis for state licensure and insurance reimbursement under Ava’s Law.
July 1, 2015, proved to be a turning point for Georgia’s children with autism, their families, and ABA providers across the state. That’s the date House Bill 429 — best known as Ava’s Law — took effect, requiring private insurance companies to cover ABA therapy and other autism treatments. Ava’s Law was unanimously passed by the Georgia General Assembly and named after Ava Bullard, whose early autism treatment helped restore her speech. It made Georgia one of the later states to adopt an autism insurance mandate.
The law has been strengthened since its passage. SB 118, signed into law in 2018 and effective January 1, 2019, expanded coverage to individuals under age 21 and increased the annual ABA therapy cap to $35,000. Georgia’s state-regulated insurance plans must now cover ABA therapy, diagnostic assessments, and related services for individuals with ASD up to age 21, subject to plan requirements and medical necessity criteria under Georgia Code § 33-24-59.10.
In January 2018, Georgia’s Medicaid Program also began covering ASD services for children under 21. And in 2022, the state created the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, which is now operational and actively reviewing license applications.
BCBA® Certification Requirements in Georgia
Georgia’s ABA professionals pursue nationally recognized credentials through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The two primary credentials are:
The Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) is a master’s-level credential for full-scope practitioners who can conduct assessments and implement treatment plans without oversight. A doctorate-level version (BCBA®-D) is also available, though it doesn’t confer expanded authority and is granted only after earning the BCBA®.
The Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) is a bachelor’s level credential for assistants who must work under the supervision of a BCBA® or BCBA®-D. It’s not the right fit for practitioners who’ll be working independently.
To earn the BCBA®, you’ll need to complete a qualifying graduate degree, finish a period of supervised fieldwork, and pass the national BCBA® examination.
Earn Your Graduate Degree
You’ll need a master’s degree or higher in behavior analysis, or a master’s in a related field (like psychology or education) combined with qualifying graduate coursework in behavior analysis. There are three routes to meet this requirement:
- Earn a master’s degree from an APBA-accredited program or an ABAI-accredited or recognized behavior analysis master’s or doctoral program.
- Earn a master’s degree in a related field and complete a BACB-verified course sequence through the Pathway 2 Course Attestation System. Note: The ABAI’s Verified Course Sequence system ended December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, coursework verification is handled directly through the BACB’s Pathway 2 system.
- Earn a master’s degree in a related field and complete at least 315 hours of qualifying graduate coursework in behavior analysis. This route requires a course-by-course attestation from a qualified Program Contact registered with the BACB. Required coursework areas include: 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).
Important: The BACB is updating its certification standards effective January 1, 2027. The total of 315 hours remains the same, but the required course structure and content distribution will change. If you’re beginning a program now, confirm your program aligns with the pathway you plan to use at the time of application.
Several online graduate programs meet BCBA® certification requirements while offering the flexibility to complete coursework on your own schedule and arrange your practicum at a site near you.
Complete Your Supervised Experience
To qualify for the BCBA® exam, you’ll need to complete between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. The total depends on how much supervision you receive:
Supervised Independent Fieldwork requires 2,000 hours with ongoing supervision totaling at least 5% of your total fieldwork hours.
Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork requires 1,500 hours with ongoing supervision totaling at least 10% of your total hours.
Each supervisory period covers one month, during which you’ll complete between 20 and 150 fieldwork hours. You can start accruing hours as soon as you begin qualifying graduate-level coursework and have a supervisor in place. Your program director can help you connect with a qualified supervisor.
Some Georgia-based ABA providers where you may be able to complete your supervised experience include:
- ABA Therapy Atlanta, Atlanta
- Agency for Behavioral Services, Valdosta
- Beyond Expectations, Inc., Atlanta
- Holistic Therapies and Consulting, Athens
- Milestones ABA, Columbus
- Peach Autism Center, Alpharetta
- Sterling Learning, Decatur
- Universal Learning Organization, Kennesaw
Pass the BCBA® Exam
After completing your supervised fieldwork, you’ll apply to the BACB to qualify for the BCBA® certification exam. Pearson VUE administers the exam at authorized testing centers throughout Georgia and the U.S. To find current testing locations, visit the Pearson VUE website and search by state.
For detailed step-by-step instructions on the full credentialing process, visit our BCBA® certification guide.
Apply for State Licensure
The Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board is now operational. All behavior analysts practicing in Georgia were required to submit a complete licensure application by September 30, 2025. Assistant behavior analysts have until March 31, 2026, to file. Individuals who did not submit a complete application by the stated deadlines may be considered as practicing without a license under Georgia law.
The Board uses BCBA® and BCaBA® certification as the basis for licensure. Maintaining your BACB credential is a prerequisite for state licensure and for insurance reimbursement under Ava’s Law. For current application requirements and status updates, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s Behavior Analyst Licensing Board page.
ABA Salary and Career Outlook in Georgia
Georgia has a growing need for qualified ABA professionals — and the salary data reflects it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Georgia earn a median annual salary of $55,320. The state’s mean salary is $61,250, and professionals in the top 25% earn $71,980 or more. The highest earners — those in the 90th percentile — bring home $93,200 annually.
Entry-level professionals start around $39,020 (10th percentile), while mid-career practitioners (25th percentile) typically earn $46,150. Keep in mind that ABA and BCBA® professionals often earn above these BLS averages, particularly in clinical or supervisory roles.
If you’re planning to work in the Atlanta metro area, the numbers look even stronger. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro reports a median salary of $58,990, with top earners (90th percentile) reaching $96,320. There are also roughly 5,510 employed professionals in this category in the metro alone.
Here’s a look at how salaries compare across Georgia’s regions:
| Region | Employment | Median Salary | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (statewide) | 8,680 | $55,320 | $93,200 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 5,510 | $58,990 | $96,320 |
| North Georgia nonmetro | 180 | $51,750 | $82,510 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetro | 270 | $52,830 | $77,690 |
| East Georgia nonmetro | 170 | $48,890 | $69,610 |
| South Georgia nonmetro | 230 | $49,670 | $75,140 |
The career outlook in Georgia is strong. State projections show employment in this field growing 21.7% from 2022 to 2032 — outpacing the national projected growth rate of 17% (2024–2034). Georgia is expected to add 1,380 new positions over that period, with roughly 720 average annual job openings.
ABA Providers Making a Difference in Georgia
ABA services for Georgia’s children with autism continue to expand, bringing high-quality care to more families across the state.
In July 2024, Centria Autism opened its first Life Skills Autism Academy (LSAA) center in Atlanta, Georgia. Qualified BCBAs® staff the 16,000-square-foot center and can serve up to 76 clients at a time. It focuses on early intervention through specialized, intensive ABA therapy for children ages five and younger.
In March 2024, a new clinic in Augusta called Autism, Advocacy, and Intervention began accepting children for ABA services, often incorporating play therapy to help kids build new skills.
In November 2023, Circle Care Services expanded into Georgia with a new clinic in Marietta. Georgia families can now access Circle Care’s ABA therapy at home, in daycare centers, in schools, in community settings, or at the Marietta clinic itself.
The Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University
The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Housed in the School of Public Health, the CLD is one of 67 such programs nationally funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to translate research into community practice that improves outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia require a state license to practice as a BCBA®?
Yes. The Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board is now operational. Behavior analysts were required to submit a complete license application by September 30, 2025, and assistant behavior analysts by March 31, 2026. The Board uses BCBA® and BCaBA® certification as the basis for licensure. Visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website for current application requirements.
What does Ava’s Law require insurance companies to cover in Georgia?
Ava’s Law (HB 429), originally passed in 2015, requires state-regulated private insurance plans to cover ABA therapy and other autism treatments. The Law was strengthened in 2019 through SB 118, which expanded coverage to individuals under age 21 and raised the annual ABA therapy cap to $35,000. Coverage is subject to medical necessity requirements under Georgia Code § 33-24-59.10.
How long does it take to become a BCBA® in Georgia?
Most people complete the process in three to five years. That includes earning a qualifying master’s degree (typically a two-year program) and accumulating 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, which can often run concurrently with graduate coursework.
What’s the difference between the BCBA® and BCaBA® credentials?
The BCBA® is a master’s-level credential that allows independent practice, including assessments and treatment planning, without oversight. The BCaBA® is a bachelor’s-level credential that requires supervision by a BCBA®. Most practitioners pursuing full independent practice in Georgia pursue the BCBA®.
What’s the job outlook for ABA professionals in Georgia?
Strong. Georgia projects 21.7% employment growth in this field from 2022 to 2032, with roughly 720 new job openings per year. The Atlanta metro is the largest employment hub, but demand exists across the state, including in mid-size cities like Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus.
Key Takeaways
- Ava’s Law, as amended by SB 118, requires state-regulated private insurance plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with ASD under age 21, with an annual cap of $35,000 for ABA services.
- BCBA® requirements — you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the national exam.
- State licensure is now required; the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board is now operational. Behavior analysts were required to file by September 30, 2025. The BCBA® credential serves as the basis for licensure.
- Georgia salaries — the statewide median is $55,320, with Atlanta-area practitioners earning a median of $58,990. ABA and BCBA® professionals typically earn above these BLS averages.
- Strong job growth — Georgia’s 21.7% projected growth (2022–2032) outpaces the national average, with roughly 720 openings per year.
Ready to take the next step toward your BCBA® in Georgia? Explore graduate programs that meet BACB requirements and can be completed on your schedule.
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.