To become a licensed behavior analyst in Nevada, you’ll need a master’s degree with coursework in behavior analysis, 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, BCBA certification through the national board, and state licensure through the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board. The median salary for this field in Nevada is $59,470 as of May 2024.
Nevada has regulated applied behavior analysts for over a decade, and the field has only gotten stronger. In 2021, the state created a dedicated Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board to oversee the profession, which tells you something about how seriously Nevada takes this work.
Whether you’re based in Las Vegas, Reno, or somewhere in between, the path to becoming a Licensed Behavior Analyst follows a clear sequence: earn your graduate degree, complete supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA exam, and apply for state licensure. Let’s walk through each step.
Earn a Graduate Degree in Behavior Analysis
The path to earning your BCBA certification starts with a master’s or doctoral degree in behavior analysis or a closely related field, such as education or psychology. You’ll also need to complete specific graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) recognizes two pathways to meet the educational requirements:
Pathway 1: Accredited/Recognized Program
Earn a graduate degree from a program that’s accredited by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) or accredited/recognized by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). These programs are designed to meet all BACB coursework requirements for the degree.
Pathway 2: Coursework Review
Earn a graduate degree in behavior analysis or a related field and complete the following graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis:
- 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
If you go the Pathway 2 route, your university will need to verify that the standards have been met through a course-by-course review by your department chair, dean, or BCBA-certified VCS Coordinator. For full details on both pathways, see the BACB’s BCBA Handbook.
Note: The ABAI discontinued its Verified Course Sequence (VCS) system on December 31, 2025. Programs that previously offered a VCS now provide proof ofcompliance with coursework requirements through the course-by-course review process described above.
Complete Supervised Fieldwork
Eligibility for BCBA certification also requires 1,500-2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. You can start accumulating these hours as soon as you begin taking graduate-level courses in behavior analysis. The total hours you’ll need depend on the level of supervision you receive during this time.
YA qualified BCBA must supervise your fieldwork. The BACB does allow limited exceptions for certain credentialed professionals under specific conditions outlined in the BCBA Handbook, so it’s worth reviewing those details if your situation is unique.
If you complete an ABAI- and APBA-accredited program, you’ll likely satisfy most or all of the practicum and fieldwork requirements through your program. Otherwise, you’ll complete fieldwork independently. Your program director can help you locate sites and qualified supervisors.
There are ABA providers throughout Nevada where you can gain the field experience you need. A few of these include:
- Impact ABA Services, Reno
- Nevada Autism Center, Las Vegas
- Autism & Behavioral Consulting Services, Las Vegas
- Oasis ABA, Fallon
- Lacuna Autism Services, Las Vegas
Pass the BCBA Exam
After you’ve satisfied the fieldwork and educational requirements, you’ll apply to the BACB to take the BCBA exam. Once the BACB approves your application, they’ll send you instructions on how to register for the exam through Pearson VUE.
You’ll schedule the day, time, and location of your exam. Pearson VUE has testing sites across the country, including Reno and Las Vegas.
Apply for Nevada State Licensure
Once you’ve received your BCBA certification, it’s time to apply to become a Licensed Behavior Analyst with the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board.
To practice ABA in Nevada, you’ll need to be licensed as one of the following:
- Licensed Behavior Analyst
- Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Registered Behavior Technician
The application process is completed online. You’ll need to create a Certemy account through the Nevada ABA Board’s licensing page if you don’t already have one.
As part of the application, you’ll need to submit your fingerprints electronically through the LiveScan process. You must begin your application before heading to a LiveScan vendor to have your fingerprints completed and sent to DPS. Most law enforcement agencies offer this service. You can call the Nevada Department of Public Safety at 775-684-6262 if you need help finding a LiveScan provider near you.
You’ll also need to pass the Nevada Jurisprudence Exam. This online exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in one hour. You’ll receive a unique link from ClassMarker at the email address on file.
Maintain Your Certification and License
Your BCBA certification must be renewed every two years. You’ll need to complete at least 32 continuing education units during each renewal cycle.
Your Nevada Licensed Behavior Analyst license must be renewed every odd-numbered year. Renewal requires at least 6 hours of instruction in cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the current cycle, Nevada also requires at least 2 hours of instruction on evidence-based suicide prevention and awareness. However, this requirement expires June 30, 2026, and won’t apply to the 2027-2028 renewal cycle.
ABA Salary and Career Outlook in Nevada
If you’re researching board-certified behavior analyst salary expectations in Nevada, the numbers are encouraging. Keep in mind that the BLS tracks ABA and BCBA professionals under the broader category of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), and actual BCBA salaries are frequently higher than these figures suggest.
As of May 2024, the median salary for this field in Nevada is $59,470, with the top 10% earning $92,440 or more. Here’s how that breaks down across experience levels statewide:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $43,490 |
| Early career (25th percentile) | $46,960 |
| Mid-career median (50th percentile) | $59,470 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $76,260 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $92,440 |
For comparison, the national median for this occupational category is $59,190, so Nevada tracks closely with the national average. You can explore ABA salaries nationwide for a broader perspective.
BCBA Salary in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas metro area employs the largest concentration of these professionals in the state, with about 1,660 positions. The median BCBA salary in Las Vegas is $59,110, and top earners can make $86,720 or more.
BCBA Salary in Reno and Carson City
In the Reno metro area, the median salary is $60,400, with top earners reaching $96,700. Carson City shows even higher figures, with a median of $70,740 and top earners at $97,780, though the total number of positions there is smaller (about 40).
Nevada’s Job Growth Outlook
Nevada’s job market for this field is growing faster than the national average. The state projects 22% growth from 2022 to 2032, compared to 17% nationally. That translates to roughly 150 average annual job openings across the state.
Part of what’s driving demand is Nevada’s insurance mandate. Since January 2011, Nevada has required both state and private health insurance programs to cover ABA interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. Hundreds of studies have documented how effective ABA is for treating behavioral deficits and excesses associated with ASD, and insurance coverage means more families can access these services. That’s good news for job seekers, because it creates steady demand for qualified behavior analysts in both clinical and private-sector settings.
Nevada ABA Providers Making a Difference
ABA services for children and adults with autism and other developmental disorders are readily available throughout Nevada. From hospital-based systems to small, privately owned clinics, you’ll find a range of ABA providers where you can build your career.
Nevada Autism Center, Las Vegas
Nevada Autism Center is a leading ABA provider in Las Vegas. Their team of BCBAs identifies and targets behaviors, writes intervention plans, and provides one-on-one ABA therapy in an immersive clinic environment. They also offer evidence-based neurofeedback therapies for ASD and run a variety of summer camps for focused groups and therapies.
Tandem Therapy Services, Las Vegas
Tandem Therapy Services has four locations throughout Las Vegas and offers a variety of services for children with autism. For more than two decades, they’ve specialized in early treatment for children on the autism spectrum. They use a contemporary ABA approach that takes each child’s unique needs into account, allowing them to develop tailored plans.
Proud Moments ABA, Las Vegas
Proud Moments offers both in-clinic and at-home ABA services for children with autism. They currently provide clinic services at their Village Center Circle and Prairie Road locations and are also opening a new location on Jones Road. BCBAs and their therapy teams create personalized treatment plans, and they offer regular parent training and direct supervision so caregivers can continue strategies at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed behavior analyst in Nevada?
Most people complete the process in about two to three years after starting a master’s program. That includes your graduate coursework, 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (which can overlap with your program), passing the BCBA exam, and completing the Nevada state licensure application with fingerprints and the Jurisprudence Exam.
What is the BCBA salary in Las Vegas?
As of May 2024, the median salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the Las Vegas metro area is $59,110. Keep in mind that BCBAs typically earn on the higher end of this range or above it. The top 10% of earners in Las Vegas make $86,720 or more.
Does Nevada require a specific license to practice ABA?
Yes. Nevada requires anyone practicing ABA to be licensed through the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board. You’ll need to hold a BCBA certification and complete additional state requirements, including fingerprinting through LiveScan and passing the Nevada Jurisprudence Exam.
Is there demand for behavior analysts in Nevada?
The job outlook is strong. Nevada projects 22% growth in this field from 2022 to 2032, which outpaces the 17% national average. The state also has an insurance mandate requiring coverage of ABA services for children with autism, which creates consistent demand across Las Vegas, Reno, and other communities.
What continuing education does Nevada require for license renewal?
Your BCBA certification requires 32 continuing education units every two years. Your Nevada state license must be renewed every odd-numbered year and requires at least 6 hours of cultural competency and DEI instruction. For the current cycle, you’ll also need 2 hours of suicide prevention and awareness training, though this requirement expires June 30, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada licenses behavior analysts through the Nevada Applied Behavior Analysis Board. You’ll need BCBA certification, fingerprinting through LiveScan, and a passing score on the Nevada Jurisprudence Exam.
- The educational path requires a master’s degree with specific graduate-level coursework in behavior analysis, plus 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork.
- The median salary in Nevada is $59,470 as of May 2024. In Las Vegas, the median is $59,110, and in Reno it’s $60,400. BCBAs typically earn above these BLS averages.
- Nevada projects 22% job growth from 2022 to 2032, with about 150 average annual openings, driven partly by the state’s insurance mandate for ABA coverage.
- Multiple ABA providers across Las Vegas, Reno, and other communities offer fieldwork opportunities and career entry points for newly certified behavior analysts.
Ready to take the next step toward becoming a behavior analyst in Nevada? Start by exploring accredited graduate programs that meet BACB coursework 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.