Minnesota doesn’t require state licensure for behavior analysts, but the BCBA® credential is the professional standard for practice in the state. To earn it, you’ll need an ABAI-accredited or BACB-approved master’s degree, supervised fieldwork hours, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam. Most Minnesota employers and insurance carriers require the credential for reimbursement.
Minnesota has built one of the most robust ABA ecosystems in the country without ever passing a state licensing law. That might sound like a contradiction, but it actually reflects how well-established the BCBA® credential has become as the de facto professional standard here. Insurance carriers, school districts, and Medicaid programs all expect it. Employers post for it. And the state’s 2013 autism insurance mandate created real, lasting demand for credentialed professionals.
Here’s what you need to know about becoming a behavior analyst in Minnesota, from choosing the right graduate program to understanding what you can expect to earn.
Earning a Master’s Degree in Minnesota
The path to BCBA® certification starts with a qualifying graduate degree. The BACB recognizes two main program types: ABAI-accredited programs and programs with a Verified Course Sequence (VCS). We consistently recommend ABAI-accredited master’s programs as the most direct route. These programs meet Tier 1 pathway requirements and are designed specifically around BCBA® eligibility from the ground up.
Minnesota students have the advantage of choosing from several strong programs, both in-state and online. St. Cloud State University was one of the early programs to offer a BACB-approved course sequence, making Minnesota a historically important state for ABA education. Today’s students have even more options, including fully online programs from nationally accredited universities that allow you to complete your degree without relocating.
When evaluating programs, look for:
- ABAI accreditation or BACB-verified course sequence status
- Faculty with active BCBA® credentials and clinical experience
- Built-in supervised fieldwork coordination
- Strong pass rates on the BCBA® exam
BCBA® Certification Requirements in Minnesota
Minnesota has no state licensing law for behavior analysts, and that’s unlikely to change in the near term. Instead, the state relies on the BACB’s national BCBA® certification requirements as the professional benchmark. Here’s what the credentialing process looks like:
Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Graduate Degree
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree from a program that meets BACB coursework standards. ABAI-accredited programs qualify automatically. If your program isn’t ABAI-accredited, it will need to include a BACB-recognized Verified Course Sequence to count toward eligibility.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Fieldwork
You’ll need to accumulate supervised fieldwork hours working directly with clients under the oversight of a qualified BCBA® supervisor. The BACB has specific requirements around the types of experience that count, how supervision hours are documented, and the ratio of supervised to independent hours. Your graduate program should walk you through these requirements and help connect you with approved fieldwork sites.
Step 3: Pass the BCBA® Exam
The BCBA® exam is a computer-based test administered through Prometric testing centers. It covers behavior analytic principles, experimental design, measurement, and professional ethics. Candidates typically spend several months preparing with practice exams and structured study plans. The exam has a reputation for being challenging, but most candidates who complete a strong graduate program feel prepared for it.
Step 4: Maintain Your Credential
Because Minnesota doesn’t have state licensure, there’s no separate state application to file. Once you pass the BCBA® exam, you’re credentialed nationally. To keep the credential active, you’ll need to complete 32 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years, including required content on ethics and supervision. The BACB’s certificate maintenance program handles the renewal process directly.
One thing worth understanding: even without a state license, the BCBA® credential is effectively required for practice in Minnesota. Most insurance carriers and Medicaid programs require it to bill for ABA services, and most school districts and clinics list it as a job requirement. The credential functions as the professional license even where no formal state law exists.
Minnesota’s Legacy of ABA Support
Minnesota has a long institutional relationship with applied behavior analysis. The Minnesota Department of Human Services formally incorporated ABA into state services in the 1980s, and the state’s public schools have embraced the model as enrollment of students with autism has grown significantly. By the 2013-14 school year, students with autism accounted for 13.15% of Minnesota’s special education population, compared to just 2.5% in 2000.
Minnesota’s 2013 autism insurance mandate is one of the more comprehensive in the country. It requires that health plans cover ABA therapy without age, cost, or frequency limits for children up to age 18. The mandate applies to ACA-compliant and Medicaid plans and covers roughly 750,000 state residents, or about 14% of the population. The state also established an early intervention program with $12 million in dedicated funding and provides co-pay relief for qualifying families through the TEFRA disabilities program.
Check our state-by-state guide to ABA insurance laws to see how Minnesota’s mandate compares to other states. For context on where Minnesota falls among states that have and haven’t passed ABA licensing laws, our state-by-state licensing guide has the full picture.
ABA Providers in Minnesota
Minnesota’s ABA provider landscape is well-developed, with options ranging from large regional centers to smaller specialized clinics. Here are some of the more established providers in the state:
- Fraser (Minneapolis/St. Paul metro) — One of the largest autism services providers in Minnesota, Fraser has served individuals with autism for decades and offers comprehensive ABA services for children ages 2 through 21. It’s widely regarded as the anchor provider in the Twin Cities market.
- Alliant Behavioral Pediatrics (Burnsville) — Specializes in early intervention ABA services for children from birth through age 6, with a focus on naturalistic teaching approaches.
- Rochester Center for Autism (Rochester) — Serves approximately 70 children in the Rochester area, providing center-based and home-based ABA services.
- Minnesota Autism Center (Eagan and other locations) — Operates a major 50,000 square foot facility in Eagan serving 150 students with a staff of 130. MAC is one of the larger dedicated ABA centers in the state.
Beyond these established providers, Minnesota’s strong insurance mandate has made the state an attractive market for both local and national ABA organizations. Job postings for BCBAs are consistent across the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, and surrounding communities.
ABA Salaries in Minnesota
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks earnings for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), the category that includes ABA and BCBA professionals. It’s worth noting that BCBAs typically earn on the higher end of this range — and often above it — given the specialized credential and consistent employer demand.
Minnesota Statewide Salary Data (May 2024)
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | $39,310 |
| 25th | $46,670 |
| Median (50th) | $58,720 |
| 75th | $66,840 |
| 90th (experienced) | $75,530 |
Minnesota employs approximately 7,910 professionals in this field statewide.
Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro Salary Data (May 2024)
If you’re planning to work in the Twin Cities, the numbers are somewhat higher than the state average.
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | $40,260 |
| 25th | $48,260 |
| Median (50th) | $60,540 |
| 75th | $68,510 |
| 90th (experienced) | $79,420 |
The Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro employs roughly 4,610 professionals in this category, making it the employment hub for the field in Minnesota.
Job Growth Outlook
Minnesota’s job outlook for this field is strong. According to state projections, employment in this category is expected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, adding approximately 1,300 new positions to the state’s workforce. That translates to an estimated 780 average annual job openings. For a sense of how that compares nationally and in other states, check our ABA salaries by state resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota require a state license to practice as a behavior analyst?
No. Minnesota does not have a state licensure requirement for behavior analysts, and there are currently no active legislative efforts to create one. However, the BCBA® credential functions as the de facto professional standard in the state. Most employers require it, and most insurance carriers and Medicaid programs require it for reimbursement of ABA services. In practice, working as a behavior analyst in Minnesota without the BCBA® credential severely limits your employment and billing options.
Can I transfer my BCBA® credential from another state to Minnesota?
Yes, and the process is simple. The BCBA® is a national credential issued by the BACB, not a state license, so there’s nothing to transfer. Your credential is valid in all 50 states. If you earned your BCBA® in another state and move to Minnesota, you simply continue practicing under your existing credential and maintain your CEU requirements as usual. There’s no reciprocity application or state board to notify.
Do Minnesota employers require the BCBA® even without a state licensing law?
Yes, in most cases. Clinics, school districts, and ABA centers across the state list the BCBA® as a required or strongly preferred qualification in job postings. Beyond employer expectations, Minnesota’s Medicaid program and most private insurers operating in the state require the BCBA® credential for providers billing ABA services. Without it, you typically can’t bill insurance, which limits where and how you can practice.
What does Minnesota’s autism insurance mandate mean for ABA professionals?
Minnesota’s 2013 autism insurance mandate requires health plans to cover ABA therapy for children up to age 18 without age, cost, or frequency caps. This creates a stable and consistent funding stream for ABA services in the state, which in turn supports steady employer demand for credentialed behavior analysts. The mandate covers ACA-compliant and Medicaid plans and reaches a significant portion of the state’s population.
What’s the difference between ABAI-accredited programs and other ABA graduate programs?
ABAI-accredited programs are what the BACB calls Tier 1 programs. They’ve been reviewed and formally accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and they qualify you for the most direct certification pathway. Non-ABAI programs can still qualify for BCBA® certification if they include a BACB-recognized Verified Course Sequence, but ABAI accreditation is the gold standard when comparing programs. It’s the clearest signal that a program is built around BCBA® eligibility from day one.
How long does it take to become a BCBA® in Minnesota?
For most people, the process takes two to three years after completing a bachelor’s degree. A master’s program typically runs two years. You can accumulate supervised fieldwork hours during your graduate program, which means some candidates are ready to sit for the BCBA® exam shortly after finishing their degree. Add in exam preparation time, and you’re typically looking at two to three years total from the start of your graduate program to certification.
Key Takeaways
- No state license required, but the BCBA® is the practical standard. Minnesota doesn’t regulate behavior analysts at the state level, but insurance billing, employer requirements, and professional expectations all point to the BCBA® as the credential you need to practice effectively.
- ABAI-accredited programs offer the most direct path. Choosing an ABAI-accredited graduate program puts you on Pathway 1 to BCBA® certification and signals program quality to future employers.
- Minnesota’s insurance mandate creates stable demand. The state’s no-cap autism insurance coverage law has built a well-funded ABA services market, supporting consistent job openings for credentialed professionals.
- BCBAs typically earn above BLS category averages. The statewide median of $58,720 reflects all professionals in the BLS category. BCBAs with their specialized credential and employer demand commonly earn higher than this figure.
- The BCBA® travels with you. Because it’s a national credential, moving to or from Minnesota requires no reciprocity application or state board registration.
Ready to find the right ABA program in Minnesota? Whether you’re just starting your search or comparing specific programs, we can help you connect with schools that fit your goals and meet BCBA® certification requirements.
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.