Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Louisiana requires a master’s degree, BACB certification, supervised fieldwork hours, and passing both the national BCBA exam and Louisiana’s jurisprudence examination. The Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (LBAB) oversees licensure for Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) and certification for State Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (SCaBAs).
Louisiana is one of the more practitioner-friendly states for behavior analyst licensure. That’s not an accident. When the state legislature passed Act 351 in 2013, it handed oversight to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (LBAB), a body composed of practicing behavior analysts, whose rules and renewal framework were promulgated in October 2014. The result is a licensing process that considers your full professional picture, not just whether you’ve checked every box.
That said, the path to licensure here is still rigorous. You’ll need a graduate degree, significant supervised fieldwork, BACB certification, and a Louisiana-specific jurisprudence exam before you can apply. Here’s exactly how it works.
Licensing Requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana has licensed behavior analysts since Act 351 of the 2013 Louisiana State Legislature created the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (LBAB) within the Department of Health and Hospitals (today organizationally placed under the Louisiana Department of Health). The board oversees licensure, certification, and disciplinary actions across three tiers of practitioners.
The three tiers work like this. Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) hold the full state license and can practice independently. State Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (SCaBAs) are certified rather than licensed and work under LBA supervision. Line Technicians, also called Registered Line Technicians (RLTs), are not licensed but must register with the LBAB and work under an LBA’s supervision.
One thing that makes the LBAB different from licensing boards in other states is that it’s staffed by practicing professionals, and it tends to take a big-picture view of applicants. If you don’t meet every requirement to the letter, the board may consider your broader experience and background rather than issuing an automatic denial.
Before you can apply for a Louisiana LBA license, you’ll need to hold a BACB certification. That requirement flows through all five steps below. For RLTs, following the RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) standards set by the BACB ensures you’ll receive the training and knowledge needed to be an effective line technician in Louisiana.
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree in ABA
Louisiana and the BACB require all behavior analysts to hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution. A doctoral degree or an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree also satisfies this requirement, as long as the necessary ABA-specific coursework is included.
The coursework requirements are laid out in the BCBA/BCaBA Coursework Requirements, updated in 2022. A degree in applied behavior analysis is the most direct route, though degrees in education or psychology with substantial ABA content also qualify. For SCaBA candidates, only a bachelor’s degree is required under the BCaBA certification requirements set by BACB. No degree requirement applies to RLTs.
The easiest way to confirm that your coursework aligns is to enroll in a program accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or the Association for Professional Behavior Analysis (APBA). If those options aren’t available to you, a VCS (Verified Course Sequence) coordinator at your school can provide attestation that your curriculum meets BACB standards. As ABAI transitions its VCS system to a tiered program standard in late 2025, the need for manual course-by-course reviews will largely go away.
Online ABA master’s programs have become a practical choice for many Louisiana students. They offer flexibility, lower costs, and the ability to complete fieldwork at approved sites near you without relocating. Advisors at these programs work to arrange practicums at locations close to where you live.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Fieldwork
The BACB requires candidates to accumulate a set number of supervised experience hours before sitting for the national exam. You have two paths to meet this requirement.
The first is Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork, which requires 1,500 hours for BCBA candidates (1,000 for BCaBA candidates). This option requires more monthly supervisory contact, with 10 percent of total hours conducted under direct supervision. The second is Supervised Fieldwork, which requires 2,000 hours (1,300 for SCaBAs), with 5% of those hours under supervision.
You can also combine both types, with your total hours falling somewhere between those two ranges, depending on the mix. Fieldwork can happen within or outside your master’s program, typically in a working clinic or practice where you’ll conduct assessments, design behavior analysis programs, or oversee program implementation under the supervision of an LBA.
Step 3: Pass the BCBA Examination
Louisiana requires applicants to pass a nationally recognized examination in behavior analysis. Currently, the only approved option is the BCBA exam, administered through authorized Pearson VUE testing centers. BCBA exams are taken in-person at authorized Pearson VUE testing sites; available locations vary, so confirm current options via Pearson VUE’s test center locator.
The exam consists of 185 multiple-choice questions (175 scored, 10 unscored) completed in four hours, covering nine content areas: Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations, Concepts and Principles, Measurement and Data, Experimental Design, Ethical Issues, Behavioral Assessment, Behavior-Change Procedures, Selecting and Implementing Interventions, and Personnel Supervision and Management.
SCaBAs take the BCaBA exam, which covers similar content at a level appropriate to that role. No exam is required for line technicians, though pursuing the BACB’s RBT credential involves an 85-question multiple-choice test.
Click here for detailed step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
Step 4: Pass the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination
This is a step that’s unique to Louisiana. Act 351 requires all LBA applicants and SCaBA candidates to pass a jurisprudence exam issued by the LBAB. The fee for this exam is $75. It covers all applicable state laws and regulations, including Act 351 itself and any additional rules issued by the board.
The exact questions aren’t published, but you can expect content covering supervision requirements for SCaBAs and line technicians, the allowable scope of practice for LBAs, ethics and professional standards under state law, license renewal and continuing education requirements, and disciplinary procedures.
Think of it as the state’s way of ensuring that every licensed behavior analyst understands not just the science of ABA, but the specific rules that govern practice in Louisiana.
Step 5: Apply for Licensure with the LBAB
Once you’ve completed your degree, fieldwork, national exam, and jurisprudence exam, you’ll file your application directly with the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board.
Filing fees are $400 for LBAs and $250 for SCaBAs. Line technician registration is $50. All applicants must also complete a criminal background check for an additional $50 fee. LBAs and SCaBAs need to submit proof of BCBA or BCaBA certification, full educational transcripts, documentation of good moral character, and at least three professional references. SCaBAs must also provide proof of supervision.
Louisiana doesn’t offer reciprocal licensure for behavior analysts already licensed in other states, but the board can, at its discretion, grant a temporary license for a $125 fee. That’s worth asking about if you’re relocating from another licensed state.
License Renewal
Licenses and certifications must be renewed annually, with expiration on June 30th and the renewal period opening in May. Renewal fees are $200 for LBAs and $125 for SCaBAs.
Continuing education is tracked in biennial reporting periods. For the reporting period beginning July 2024, LBAs need 24 credits, and SCaBAs need 15, with 3 ethics credits required for each. Starting with reporting periods beginning in July 2026, those requirements increase to 32 credits for LBAs and 20 credits for SCaBAs, with 4 ethics credits required for each. Licensees and certificate holders are exempt from CE requirements for the remainder of the year in which their license or certification was initially granted.
The Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association (LABAA), active in the state since 2012, is a BACB ACE provider and a solid resource for earning those credits while staying connected to Louisiana’s ABA community.
ABA Salary and Career Outlook in Louisiana
If you’re weighing the investment of a master’s degree and a multi-year licensure process, it’s worth understanding what the job market looks like on the other side.
According to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana employs approximately 6,600 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), the BLS category that includes ABA professionals. The statewide median annual wage for this group is $40,200, with a mean of $46,070. The top 10 percent of earners in Louisiana bring in $66,560 or more. Keep in mind that BCBA and ABA professionals frequently earn on the higher end of this range compared to the broader counselor category. For a national comparison, you can explore ABA and BCBA salaries across all 50 states.
Salary varies noticeably by region across Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the highest-paying metro area in the state, with a median of $47,890 and top earners reaching $71,870. New Orleans-Metairie follows with a median of $41,020 and a 90th percentile wage of $70,610. Shreveport-Bossier City comes in at a median of $41,670, with top earners at $65,650.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Top 10% Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,210 | $47,890 | $71,870 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,500 | $41,020 | $70,610 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 470 | $41,670 | $65,650 |
| Statewide (Louisiana) | 6,600 | $40,200 | $66,560 |
On the growth side, Louisiana is projected to add 1,030 positions in this field between 2022 and 2032, a 20 percent increase. The state averages about 570 new job openings per year in this occupational category. That’s a steady, meaningful pipeline for new graduates entering the field. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 17 percent between 2024 and 2034, adding roughly 81,000 positions and averaging 48,300 annual openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed behavior analyst in Louisiana?
The timeline varies depending on your starting point, but most people complete the process in 3 to 5 years. A master’s degree typically takes two years, followed by 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork that can overlap with your program or continue after graduation. After that, you’ll need to pass the BCBA exam and Louisiana’s jurisprudence exam before filing your LBA application with the LBAB.
Can I practice in Louisiana if I’m already licensed in another state?
Louisiana doesn’t offer formal reciprocity for out-of-state licenses, so you’ll need to meet Louisiana’s full licensure requirements regardless of where you were previously licensed. However, the LBAB can issue a temporary license at its discretion for a $125 fee. It’s worth reaching out to the board directly if you’re relocating from another state.
What’s the difference between an LBA and an SCaBA in Louisiana?
An LBA (Licensed Behavior Analyst) holds a full state license in Louisiana and can practice independently. A SCaBA (State Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) is certified by the LBAB rather than licensed, and must work under the supervision of an LBA. LBAs hold BACB’s BCBA certification, while SCaBAs hold the BCaBA credential.
Do I need to take the jurisprudence exam if I already have my BCBA?
Yes. Louisiana’s jurisprudence exam is a state-specific requirement separate from BACB certification. It covers Louisiana law, ethics, and regulations under Act 351, and costs $75. All LBA applicants and SCaBA candidates must pass it before the LBAB will approve their application.
What are the continuing education requirements for LBAs in Louisiana?
CE is tracked in biennial reporting periods. For reporting periods beginning in July 2026 and thereafter, LBAs need 32 credits, and SCaBAs need 20, with 4 ethics credits required for each. For the current reporting period beginning July 2024, those requirements are 24 credits (LBA) and 15 credits (SCaBA), with 3 ethics credits each. New licensees are exempt from CE for the remainder of the year their license is initially granted. The Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association (LABAA) is a BACB ACE provider and a good starting point for finding approved events.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana licenses behavior analysts through the LBAB, created by Act 351 in 2013, with rules promulgated in October 2014. The board is staffed by practicing professionals and takes a holistic view of applicants.
- The five-step path to licensure requires a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork (1,500 to 2,000 hours), the BCBA exam (185 questions, 4 hours), the Louisiana jurisprudence exam ($75), and a formal LBA application including a $50 background check.
- Louisiana projects 20 percent job growth in this field between 2022 and 2032, with about 570 openings per year. Baton Rouge is the highest-paying metro in the state at a median salary of $47,890.
- BCBA and ABA professionals typically earn at the higher end of the BLS salary range for the broader counselor category. Choosing a program with strong ABAI accreditation and fieldwork placement support can meaningfully speed up your path to certification.
Ready to take the next step toward ABA licensure in Louisiana? Explore graduate programs that meet BACB coursework requirements and offer fieldwork placement support near you.
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.