Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Michigan means earning your BCBA® certification first, then applying for state licensure through LARA’s Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts. Michigan has required licensure since January 2020, and the state offers strong job demand, insurance protections for ABA services, and a median salary of $59,530, making it a solid place to build this career.
In 2017, Michigan joined the growing number of states that regulate applied behavior analysts through state licensure, with Senate Bills 1015 and 1016 paving the way. In January 2020, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) officially began accepting licenses through the Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts. At that point, licensure became mandatory for anyone practicing ABA in the state.
What that means for you: earning the BCBA® credential is step one, but it’s not the finish line in Michigan. You’ll also need to apply for your state license before you can practice. Here’s exactly how that process works.
Michigan ABA Licensing Requirements
Like most states, Michigan defers to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to set licensure qualifications. To practice ABA in Michigan, whether as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst, you must hold and maintain either a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) credential.
All applications go through LARA’s Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS). You’ll register with the system online. Separately, the BACB must send proof of your certification directly to LARA by email at [email protected] or by mail to Bureau of Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Two things worth knowing up front: expect about 4–6 weeks for your license to arrive after your application is complete, and you’ll also need to complete two hours of Implicit Bias Training as part of the process.
Renewal runs on two separate cycles. Your BCBA® renews every two years (32 units of approved continuing education required), and your Michigan state license renews every four years.
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree
To qualify for BCBA® certification, you need a master’s or doctoral degree in behavior analysis or a related field, plus specific graduate coursework in behavior analysis. The cleanest path is an APBA-accredited program or an ABAI-accredited or recognized master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, as these are designed to meet all BACB educational standards in one package.
If you’re pursuing a degree that APBA or ABAI doesn’t accredit, you’ll need to complete at least 315 hours of graduate-level behavior analysis coursework covering these areas:
- 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 important note on coursework verification: the ABAI’s Verified Course Sequence (VCS) pathway ended in 2022 for new pathways. If ABAI or APBA doesn’t accredit your program, you’ll need to submit a Non-Verified Content Attestation to the BACB to demonstrate that your coursework standards were met. Check the BACB website for current requirements before selecting a program.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Experience
Before you can sit for the BCBA® exam, you need to accumulate between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork in behavior analysis. The exact number depends on how much supervision you receive during that period.
You can begin your fieldwork once you’ve started taking graduate-level behavior analysis coursework — you don’t have to wait until you finish your degree. Most accredited programs include a practicum component so you can start banking hours early. For a full breakdown of how fieldwork works, see our guide to practicum and fieldwork requirements.
Your supervisor must hold a BCBA® or BCBA-D credential, or be a licensed psychologist who meets BACB’s current supervision requirements. Each supervisory month requires between 20 and 150 hours of fieldwork, and you have five years to complete the full requirement.
Michigan’s growing provider network gives you plenty of options for where to earn those hours. Some providers where you may be able to complete fieldwork include:
- Leaps and Bounds Therapy Services, Brighton
- Lepak & Associates, Walled Lake
- Lighthouse Autism Center, Kalamazoo
- Little Mittens Autism Center, Novi
- Oxford Recovery Center, Troy
- Mercy Plus Autism Services, Standish
- Arbor Autism Centers, Ypsilanti
- Autism Home Services, Ann Arbor
- Budding Behavior Therapy, Auburn Hills
- Building Bridges Therapy Center, Plymouth
Step 3: Pass the BCBA® Exam
Once your fieldwork hours are complete, you apply with the BACB to take the BCBA® exam. Pearson VUE administers the exam at testing sites around the country, including several locations in Michigan. Visit the Pearson VUE website to find a current testing location near you.
For a full walkthrough of the credentialing process, see our complete guide to BCBA® certification.
Step 4: Apply for State Licensure
Once you’ve earned your BCBA® certification, you apply for your Michigan Behavior Analyst license through LARA’s MiPLUS system. The BACB sends verification of your credentials directly to LARA. You’ll then receive an Application Confirmation letter with instructions for completing your Criminal Background Check. Budget 4–6 weeks from completed application to license.
After that, your license renews every four years. Your BCBA® credential renews separately on a two-year cycle through the BACB.
ABA Providers in Michigan
Michigan’s ABA provider network has grown substantially since the state passed insurance reform in 2012. Under Michigan’s Act Number 100, HMO plans, large employer plans, small employer plans, individual insurance plans, and state employee plans must all reimburse ABA treatment for eligible individuals through age 18. While earlier versions of the law included annual caps, those caps have since been removed. Michigan Medicaid also covers ABA services when medically necessary, subject to program guidelines and authorization requirements.
According to the Michigan Behavior Analysis Providers Association (MiBAP), there are now more than 100 providers throughout the state. A few examples:
Bright Behavior Therapy operates locations in Dearborn, Novi, Troy, and West Bloomfield, serving children, teens, and young adults with autism through customized treatment plans and one-on-one and group ABA sessions. They also provide staff training for schools, daycares, hospitals, and pediatric clinics.
Caliber Autism LLC in Troy focuses on community-based mental health services for individuals with autism, offering services seven days a week, including evenings and after-school hours. Their programs run from diagnosis through adulthood.
Healing Haven in Madison Heights provides behavioral health and autism services from age 2 through adulthood, with additional offerings in speech therapy, occupational therapy, autism testing and evaluation, and family counseling.
Salary and Job Outlook in Michigan
Let’s talk about what you can realistically expect to earn in Michigan, and where the field is headed.
The BLS tracks counselors under the substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors category (SOC 21-1018), which is the closest available federal data for ABA and BCBA® roles. Keep in mind that BCBA® professionals typically earn at the higher end of this range, and often above it, given the credential’s specialized nature and Michigan’s strong, insurance-backed demand.
As of May 2024, the statewide median salary for this category in Michigan is $59,530, with a mean of $61,960. Top earners in the 90th percentile bring in $89,170 or more. Michigan employs 11,090 professionals in this category statewide. To see how Michigan compares to other states, visit our national salary guide.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,200 |
| 25th | $42,480 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 |
| 75th | $74,360 |
| 90th | $89,170 |
| Annual Mean | $61,960 |
Where you work in Michigan matters; Lansing-East Lansing leads the state with a median of $73,300 and a mean of $72,480, well above both the statewide median and several larger markets. Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood also outpace the state median, while Detroit’s large employer base offers the most positions with strong upper-end earning potential.
| Metro Area | Employment | Mean | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 440 | $65,330 | $42,100 | $59,530 | $79,550 | $103,490 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 5,170 | $59,990 | $42,130 | $50,950 | $72,390 | $88,250 |
| Flint | 300 | $57,980 | $42,100 | $48,180 | $64,850 | $97,350 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,060 | $64,850 | $48,150 | $62,270 | $75,620 | $99,170 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 330 | $63,260 | $49,330 | $64,510 | $74,550 | $82,720 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 720 | $72,480 | $55,560 | $73,300 | $75,840 | $102,150 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN* | 100 | $55,620 | $44,820 | $55,580 | $62,490 | $73,840 |
| Mid Michigan (nonmetro) | 350 | $66,860 | $55,270 | $66,440 | $74,000 | $80,900 |
| Northern Michigan (nonmetro) | 420 | $62,170 | $50,550 | $63,100 | $72,720 | $81,120 |
| Saginaw | 370 | $58,510 | $40,540 | $52,100 | $69,770 | $87,970 |
| Southern Michigan (nonmetro) | 250 | $65,330 | $49,680 | $64,600 | $79,850 | $92,690 |
| Upper Peninsula (nonmetro) | 270 | $63,870 | $47,980 | $63,130 | $75,990 | $94,510 |
*Michigan City-La Porte is an Indiana-based metro that borders Michigan.
Job Growth
Michigan’s employment outlook for this field is strong. The state is projected to add 1,730 positions between 2022 and 2032, a 17.8% growth rate, with roughly 1,040 average annual job openings.
The insurance landscape in Michigan plays a direct role here. Because the state mandates reimbursement for ABA services with caps removed, employers have sustained funding for BCBA® positions, resulting in more stable and consistent hiring than in states with weaker insurance protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed behavior analyst in Michigan?
Most people complete the process in 3–5 years. That includes earning a master’s degree (typically 2 years), completing 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (often overlapping with your degree program), passing the BCBA® exam, and obtaining your Michigan state license. Your individual timeline depends on your program structure and how quickly you accumulate fieldwork hours.
Does Michigan require anything beyond BCBA® certification for state licensure?
Yes. Michigan requires a separate state license through LARA in addition to your BCBA® credential. You’ll also need to complete two hours of Implicit Bias Training and pass a Criminal Background Check as part of the application. Holding BCBA® certification alone is not enough to legally practice in Michigan.
What’s the difference between a behavior analyst license and an assistant behavior analyst license in Michigan?
A Behavior Analyst license corresponds to the BCBA® credential and allows independent practice. An Assistant Behavior Analyst license corresponds to the BCaBA® credential and requires supervision from a licensed Behavior Analyst. Both are issued through LARA and require maintaining the underlying BACB credential to keep the state license active.
Can I start accumulating fieldwork hours before I finish my degree?
Yes. The BACB allows you to begin supervised fieldwork once you’ve started taking graduate-level behavior analysis coursework. Most accredited programs include a practicum component in their curricula so that you can start banking hours early. Talk to your program director about how their practicum counts toward your fieldwork requirement.
Does Michigan have good job prospects for BCBAs®?
Michigan’s outlook is solid. The state is projected to grow 17.8% through 2032, with roughly 1,040 job openings per year. The state’s strong insurance mandate, with caps removed on ABA reimbursement, means employers have reliable funding for BCBA® positions, and demand continues to grow as the field expands beyond autism treatment into schools, healthcare, and organizational settings.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan has required state licensure for behavior analysts since January 2020. You need both BCBA® certification and a Michigan state license to practice legally.
- The path to licensure runs through LARA’s MiPLUS system, and the BACB must send your certification verification directly to the state.
- Fieldwork (1,500–2,000 hours) can overlap with your graduate program, which helps compress your overall timeline.
- The statewide median salary is $59,530 (May 2024 BLS data), with Lansing-East Lansing leading all Michigan markets at $73,300.
- Michigan’s 2012 insurance reform removed monetary caps on ABA reimbursement, creating stable employer demand for BCBA®s statewide.
- The field is projected to grow 17.8% in Michigan through 2032, with roughly 1,040 annual openings.
- Your BCBA® renews every two years through the BACB. Your Michigan state license renews every four years through LARA.
Ready to take the next step? Explore ABA programs in Michigan and find the right fit for your 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.