Becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) in Indiana requires a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BACB® national exam. Indiana now licenses behavior analysts under Title 844 Article 21, with online applications available through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. The mean annual salary for this field in Indiana is $78,920, with some metro areas exceeding $118,000.
Indiana has been a trailblazer for autism rights since 2001, when it became the first state in the nation to require health insurers to cover autism therapy. It’s no surprise, then, that the Hoosier State is also home to one of the highest concentrations of autism-focused therapists in the nation.
Over the past decade, states like Indiana have seen a dramatic increase in the use of ABA to help persons with autism live happy and productive lives, thanks in part to endorsements from many state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Surgeon General.
Behavior analysis focuses on how learning takes place. Applied behavior analysis involves applying techniques to promote and encourage productive, socially acceptable behaviors and reduce behaviors that could interfere with learning or cause harm. The goal of ABA is to bring about meaningful, positive behavioral change.
Licensing and BCBA® Requirements in Indiana
Indiana now licenses behavior analysts under Title 844 Article 21 (844 IAC 21), administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Online applications went live on May 13, 2025. You can find the current statutes, administrative rules, and application portal at the Indiana PLA Behavior Analyst page.
The Indiana Behavior Analyst Committee oversees the competent practice of behavior analysts, license renewal, continuing education requirements, and the approval of continuing education providers, programs, courses, fees, and proof of course completion.
Indiana licensure as a behavior analyst is predicated on certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Current requirements for state licensure include:
- BCBA® certification in good standing with the BACB
- Application fee of $100 (for “Licensed Behavior Analyst via Application”)
- National criminal history background check
- Applicants must disclose disciplinary, criminal, and substance history and may need to provide documentation. Indiana also requires verification from other states about whether disciplinary proceedings were initiated or are pending.
To earn your BCBA®, you must meet three requirements: (1) Earn a graduate-level degree and qualifying coursework in behavior analysis, (2) Complete supervised fieldwork, and (3) Pass the national BCBA® examination.
Education Requirements
Eligible candidates for BCBA® certification must hold a master’s degree or higher in behavior analysis or a related field such as education or psychology, along with a set of qualifying graduate-level courses in behavior analysis.
The easiest path to meeting the educational requirements is earning a master’s degree from an Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)-accredited program or an Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)-accredited or recognized behavior analysis program.
You can also meet the requirements by earning a master’s or doctoral degree and completing at least 315 hours of graduate coursework in behavior analysis, which must 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: 30 hours
If your degree is from a program not accredited by the ABAI or APBA, you’ll need to demonstrate to the BACB that you completed the required coursework. You can do this in one of two ways:
Complete a Verified Course Sequence (VCS): The ABAI maintains a list of programs that satisfy the graduate coursework requirements, called Verified Course Sequences. Note that the VCS system sunset on December 31, 2025. Pathway 2 applicants beginning January 1, 2026, now use the BACB’s coursework attestation process instead.
Non-Verified Course Content Attestation: You can complete the required courses and have your department chair, dean, or BCBA®-certified VCS Coordinator complete an attestation confirming a course-by-course review of the required content.
Qualifying programs may be offered on-campus or online. Online programs have become a popular choice for working professionals and those not living near a campus-based program. Students in online programs work with their advisor to finda local placement for their practicum.
Experience Requirements
Candidates for BCBA® certification must complete between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. The number of required hours depends on how much supervision you receive from a qualified supervisor, which includes BCBAs®, licensed psychologists certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology, and ABAI-verified instructors.
During each supervisory month, you must complete between 20 and 130 hours of fieldwork, and you’ll have five years to complete all required hours. You can learn more about what to expect on the practicum and fieldwork requirements page.
You can begin earning hours as soon as you start taking graduate-level coursework. If you’re enrolled in an ABAI-accredited or APBA-accredited program, it will likely include a practicum where you can start accruing hours right away. In Indiana, you may be able to complete your fieldwork through ABA providers such as:
- Arc BRIDGES, Gary
- Behavior Development Group, Indianapolis
- Behavior Specialists of Indiana, South Bend
- Adaptive ABA, Inc., Fort Wayne
- Disabilities Autism Services of Indiana, Saint Paul
- Life Strategies LLC, Schererville, Porter
- Logan Autism Learning Center, South Bend and Granger
- Partnership for Behavioral Change, South Bend
- Positive Pathways, Carmel
Exam Requirements
After completing your fieldwork, you’ll apply to the BACB for authorization to take the BCBA® exam. Pearson VUE administers the exam at testing centers throughout the country. Indiana locations include Muncie, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Indianapolis, South Bend, Goshen, Plainfield, Lafayette, Bloomington, Crown Point, and Terre Haute.
Click here for detailed step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
Apply for State Licensure
Once you’ve earned your BCBA® credential, you’ll apply for Indiana state licensure through the IPLA. You’ll submit your BACB certification documentation, pass a criminal background check, complete the disciplinary history disclosures, and pay the $100 application fee. Applications are now processed online at the Indiana PLA website, where you’ll also find the current administrative rules under 844 IAC 21.
Salary and Career Outlook in Indiana
If you’re weighing a career in ABA in Indiana, the numbers are encouraging. Behavior analysis professionals in the state earn a mean annual salary of $78,920, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Keep in mind that BCBA®-credentialed professionals frequently earn above these BLS figures, since the category includes a broader range of counseling roles. You can explore ABA salaries across the country on our full salaries page.
Where you practice in Indiana matters quite a bit. Elkhart-Goshen leads the state at $118,350, and northwest Indiana’s connection to the Chicago metro pushes those figures even higher at $114,400. Even mid-size markets like Fort Wayne ($86,730) and Bloomington ($85,300) come in well above the national median for this field.
| Metro Area | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $118,350 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $114,400 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $90,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $89,440 |
| Kokomo, IN | $88,720 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $86,730 |
| Bloomington, IN | $85,300 |
| Evansville, IN | $80,360 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $76,390 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,000 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $75,510 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $73,840 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $72,140 |
| Columbus, IN | $69,960 |
| Muncie, IN | $68,870 |
On the job growth side, Indiana is projecting strong demand. Employment in this field is expected to grow 21.29%, adding roughly 1,720 positions as the workforce expands from 8,110 to 9,830. That’s a real opportunity for people entering the field now.
Indiana’s insurance mandate requiring coverage for autism therapy, in place since 2001, continues to drive consistent demand for qualified behavior analysts. It also creates real opportunities for BCBAs® who want to practice independently or build a small private practice.
Indiana’s ABA Providers
A sampling of Indiana ABA providers reveals the wide range of services available for children and adults with autism and other developmental disorders across the state.
Integrity Learning Center (formerly known as Integrity Behavioral Solutions): Plainfield
Integrity Learning Center provides early intensive, one-on-one, personalized therapy in the community, the home, and in school. Services are available for children up to age seven and address autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges. The center is located at 1599 Township Line Rd., Plainfield, IN 46168.
Little Star ABA Therapy: Bloomington, Carmel, Clarksville, Lafayette, Lafayette West, and Newburgh
Founded in 2002 as the first ABA facility in Indiana, Little Star ABA Therapy provides center-based, home-based, community-based, and transition-to-school ABA services for children, teens, and young adults.
Indiana ABA Institute: Fort Wayne
The Indiana ABA Institute provides individualized ABA therapy to children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities and behavioral issues, with both in-clinic and at-home options available. Services include early intensive behavioral intervention, IEP consultation, behavior supports, and parent and caregiver training. The institute is located at 2270 Lake Ave., STE 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
Unlocking the Spectrum: Bloomington, Indianapolis, Seymour, and Terre Haute
Unlocking the Spectrum was created to make ABA therapy accessible to all children with autism. Services include individualized treatment plans, skills assessments, in-home consultations, and functional analyses.
Additional Resources for Applied Behavior Analysts in Indiana
The ABA field in Indiana remains strong, thanks to a variety of organizations and providers that support those with autism and other developmental disorders.
Autism Society of Indiana: The Autism Society of Indiana connects people who live with autism and those who care about them, creating communities throughout the state for people on the autism spectrum and their families. It serves as a clearinghouse for career and work readiness, individual and family support, direct care, and community outreach.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism: Housed at Indiana University Bloomington, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism conducts training and consultations, engages in research, and disseminates information to build local community capacity to support children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a BCBA® in Indiana?
Most candidates complete the process in 2 to 3 years. That includes earning a master’s degree (typically 2 years) and completing the required 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, which you can start accumulating while still in school. After submitting your application to the BACB, exam scheduling and results add a few additional months.
Is Indiana state licensure now required in addition to BCBA® certification?
Yes. Indiana established state licensure for behavior analysts under Title 844 Article 21 (844 IAC 21), with online applications going live on May 13, 2025. Licensure is tied to your BCBA® credential, so earning your certification is the essential first step. Visit the Indiana PLA Behavior Analyst page for the current application process and fee schedule.
Can I complete my ABA master’s degree online if I live in Indiana?
Yes. Many ABAI-accredited and APBA-accredited ABA master’s programs are available fully online, and they’re a practical option for working professionals or those who don’t live near a campus-based program. You’ll still need to complete your supervised fieldwork hours in person, but your program advisor can help you identify qualified supervisors and approved sites in Indiana.
What’s the difference in salary between Indiana’s metro areas?
There’s a notable range. The Elkhart-Goshen area ($118,350 mean) and the Chicago metro border region ($114,400 mean) are the top earners in the state, while markets like Muncie ($68,870) and Columbus ($69,960) are on the lower end. Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood comes in at $76,000. Where you practice can meaningfully affect your compensation over the course of a career.
Does Indiana require insurance coverage for autism therapy?
Yes. Indiana has required insurers to cover autism spectrum disorder treatment since 2001, making it one of the earliest states to do so. This mandate drives consistent demand for qualified behavior analysts. Note that self-insured employers and companies based in states without similar mandates may have different coverage rules for their Indiana employees.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana was the first state in the nation to require health insurers to cover autism therapy, back in 2001, creating lasting demand for qualified ABA professionals.
- Becoming a BCBA® in Indiana requires a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, and passing the BACB® national exam.
- Indiana now licenses behavior analysts under Title 844 Article 21, with online applications available through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency as of May 2025.
- The mean annual salary for this field in Indiana is $78,920 statewide, with Elkhart-Goshen ($118,350) and the Chicago border region ($114,400) topping the state.
- Job growth is strong, with Indiana projecting 21.29% employment growth, adding roughly 1,720 positions to the current workforce of 8,110.
Ready to take the next step? Explore ABA master’s programs that can prepare you for BCBA® certification and state licensure in Indiana.
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.