Becoming a BCBA in Maine means earning a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field, completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BCBA exam. Maine doesn’t currently have state licensure for behavior analysts, but insurance providers in the state require BCBA certification to reimburse ABA therapy services.
Maine has made some notable moves to support ABA professionals and the families they serve. In 2014, the state expanded autism insurance benefits to cover children through age 10, while ABA therapy had been historically capped at approximately $36,000 per year. However, current reimbursement limits and age eligibility requirements should be confirmed in Maine’s latest insurance statutes. That expansion didn’t just help families. It created sustained demand for credentialed behavior analysts across the state.
Here’s the practical result: if you want to work as a behavior analyst in Maine and get reimbursed through insurance, you need BCBA certification. The state hasn’t passed formal licensure legislation yet, but the insurance market has made the BCBA credential the de facto standard.
So let’s walk through exactly what that path looks like.
BCBA Certification Requirements in Maine
Maine is one of a handful of states that haven’t yet enacted formal ABA licensure legislation. That sounds like less regulation, but in practice,e it means the BACB’s BCBA certification is the standard everyone is working toward. Insurance carriers operating in Maine require it. ABA employers expect it. And the state’s expanded autism insurance law has made the credentialed workforce much more visible.
The path to BCBA certification in Maine runs through four steps: a graduate degree, supervised fieldwork, the national exam, and meeting Maine’s insurance practice requirements.
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree in ABA
The BACB requires a master’s degree or higher before you can sit for the BCBA exam. The most direct route is an ABAI-accredited or APBA-recognized master’s degree in behavior analysis. Those programs are specifically designed to align with BCBA requirements, so you won’t have to piece together coursework after graduation.
That said, you can also earn a master’s degree in a related field like psychology or special education and then complete the required BACB coursework separately. The BACB requires the following graduate-level content:
- 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
One thing worth knowing: the ABAI maintains a directory of Verified Course Sequences (VCS)—graduate certificate programs that meet these content requirements. If you’re building out your coursework through a non-ABA degree, that directory is a practical starting point.
Online programs have expanded your options considerably here. You’re not limited to Maine-based programs. Many students in the state pursue accredited online programs while completing their fieldwork locally.
Step 2: Complete Your Supervised Fieldwork
Before you can apply for the BCBA exam, you need between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork within a five-year window. The exact hour requirement depends on the level of supervision you receive. For a full breakdown of what counts and how hours are structured, the practicum and fieldwork requirements guide covers the specifics in detail.
If you’re enrolled in an ABAI- or APBA-accredited program, your fieldwork hours are typically built into the practicum component. Many students finish all required hours before they graduate. Your program director can help you identify qualified supervisors and approved practice sites.
Maine has a solid network of ABA providers where students commonly complete their fieldwork hours. Some options include:
- Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. (Portland)
- Positive Reinforcement ABA Therapy Inc. (York)
- Social Significance, LLC (North Waterboro)
- Woodfords Family Services (Westbrook, Topsham, Manchester, Oakland)
Step 3: Pass the BCBA Exam
Once you’ve completed your supervised hours and received BACB authorization, you’ll register for the BCBA exam through Pearson VUE. In Maine, Pearson VUE testing centers are located in Bangor and Westbrook.
The exam is challenging, and passing rates vary by program. Before you commit to a master’s program, it’s worth reviewing BCBA exam pass rates by school — that data is publicly available through the BACB and can tell you a lot about how well a program prepares its graduates.
Step 4: Meet Maine’s Practice Requirements
Maine doesn’t require behavior analysts to hold a state license before practicing. But that doesn’t mean there are no practice standards to understand.
Maine’s autism insurance law requires health insurance plans operating in the state to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism. The ABA therapy reimbursement cap was historically set at approximately $36,000 per year for children. However, you should confirm current limits and age eligibility directly with the Maine Bureau of Insurance or Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A. Group, large group, and individual health plans are all covered under the mandate.
Here’s why this matters for your career: insurance carriers that provide that reimbursement require providers to be board-certified. In practice, that means you need your BCBA to work with most ABA employers and to bill insurance for services. The certification isn’t just a resume credential in Maine — it’s the key to operating in the market.
Maine is one of a small number of states that have not yet enacted dedicated licensure laws for behavior analysts. Check the most current state-by-state ABA licensing guide for the latest information on where formal regulation stands across the country. As the field matures, formal state licensure legislation may follow in Maine as well.
ABA Providers and Practice Settings in Maine
Beyond individual therapy providers, Maine has developed a few notable programs that give behavior analysts broader professional development and leadership opportunities.
The NH-ME LEND Program, offered through the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies in partnership with the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, is one of the more distinctive opportunities in the region. LEND stands for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities. It’s a 9-month, 300-hour program designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Participants complete two semesters of coursework, nine leadership skill workshops, and clinical placements across a variety of Maine settings. The program draws students from early childhood education, psychology, speech-language pathology, developmental pediatrics, and related fields. Competitive scholarships are available through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. You can apply through the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion.
On the clinical side, a few larger ABA providers are worth knowing about.
Bridges, United Cerebral Palsy’s Early Childhood Education Program (Bangor), provides behavioral, developmental, motor, sensory, and social support therapy to preschoolers and toddlers. BCBA staff work through the Specialized Rehabilitative and Community Support Services to deliver intensive ABA therapy for children who need it.
Clarvida operates across multiple Maine locations,s including Bangor, Brunswick, Hallowell, Rockland, and Caribou. They’ve provided evidence-based services since 1999, with ABA-grounded programs for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, care coordination services for individuals from birth to 20, and home and community-based treatment options.
Heartleaf ABA, with locations in Bangor and Augusta, provides center-based early intervention autism therapy. Their approach integrates ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social skills groups, with BCBA staff creating individualized treatment plans for each child.
Behavior Analyst Salary and Job Outlook in Maine
If you’re weighing this career path, salary is a fair thing to research early. Here’s what the data actually shows for Maine.
According to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maine is $60,970. The mean salary is $64,050. Entry-level positions (10th percentile) start around $93, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) can earn $93Percentilere. Maine employs approximately 1,610 professionals in this occupational category statewide.
Keep in mind that ABA and BCBA professionals often earn on the higher end of this range. The BLS groups them within a broader counselor category, and dedicated ABA roles — especially those in clinical supervision or program management — typically command higher compensation.
Salaries vary noticeably by region within Maine. Here’s a breakdown by metro and nonmetro area:
| Metro / Region | Median Salary | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentileth Portland | $62,710 | $75,470 | $91,360 | 660 |
| Southwest Maine (nonmetro) | $61,620 | $80,220 | $101,340 | 330 |
| Northeast Maine (nonmetro) | $63,660 | $75,850 | $93,600 | 90 |
| Bangor | $60,360 | $70,500 | $86,230 | 260 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $45,310 | $66,460 | $92,980 | 180 |
Portland-South Portland is the largest employment center, with 660 positions and a median salary of $62,710. The nonmetro regions tell an interesting story — Southwest Maine shows a 90th percentile of $101,340, reflecting strong compensation potential for experienced professionals even outside the state’s urban centers.
Lewiston-Auburn shows a lower median ($45,310), which likely reflects the entry-level nature of a higher share of positions in that market rather than a structural pay gap—the 90th percentile there ($ 92,98) is higher than the rest of the state.
On the job outlook side, employment in this field in Maine is projected to grow 5.3% from 2022 to 2032, adding approximately 40 new positions over the decade, with additional annual openings driven primarily by workforce turnover and replacement needs. The state generates approximately 70 average annual job openings. The sustained demand driven by Maine’s autism insurance mandate creates consistent hiring activity year over year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maine require state licensure for behavior analysts?
No. As of 2025, Maine does not require state licensure for applied behavior analysts. However, insurance carriers operating in Maine require BCBA certification for providers to receive reimbursement for ABA therapy services. In practice, BCBA certification is the standard for anyone working in the field in Maine.
How long does it take to become a BCBA in Maine?
Most people complete the process in three to five years. A master’s degree typically takes two years. Supervised fieldwork hours (1,500 to 2,000) can often be completed concurrently during a practicum, which means graduation and exam eligibility often coincide. Exam preparation adds a few months to most candidates’ timelines.
What is the BCBA salary in Portland, Maine?
According to May 2024 BLS data, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the Portland-South Portland metro area is $62,710. The 90th percentile is $ 91,3. Professionals working in clinical supervision or program leadership roles typically earn on the higher end of this range.
Where can I complete ABA fieldwork in Maine?
Several ABA providers in Maine work with students completing supervised fieldwork hours. Options include Applied Behavior Consultants in Portland, Positive Reinforcement ABA Therapy in York, Social Significance in North Waterboro, and Woodfords Family Services across multiple locations, including Westbrook, Topsham, Manchester, and Oakland. Your program’s practicum coordinator can help you identify approved sites.
Does Maine’s autism insurance law affect BCBA careers?
Yes, directly. Maine’s autism insurance mandate requires health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism. The reimbursement cap was historically set at approximately $36,000 per year for children — confirm current figures with the Maine Bureau of Insurance, as terms may have been updated. Insurance carriers require providers to hold BCBA certification to bill for services, which creates consistent demand for credentialed behavior analysts across the state.
Key Takeaways
- No state license required, but BCBA is the practical standard: Maine hasn’t enacted formal ABA licensure, but insurance market requirements make BCBA certification essential for anyone working in the field.
- Four steps to practice in Maine: Earn a master’s degree, complete 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, pass the BCBA exam, and understand Maine’s insurance mandate requirements.
- Maine’s autism insurance mandate drives hiring: The state requires health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism. This has created consistent, sustained demand for credentialed behavior analysts across the state.
- Statewide median salary is $60,970: According to May 2024 BLS data, experienced professionals (90th percentile) can earn $93Percentilere. BCBA roles in supervision and program management typically pay above these figures.
- Portland is the largest job market, but nonmetro regions are competitive: Southwest Maine’s 90th percentile of $101,340 shows strong earning potential for experienced professionals outside of Portland.
- The NH-ME LEND Program offers a leadership pathway: This nine-month, 300-hour program through the University of Maine prepares behavior analysts for leadership roles in neurodevelopmental disabilities, with scholarships available.
Ready to take the next step? Search ABA master’s programs that meet BACB coursework requirements and offer fieldwork placement support in Maine.
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.