Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in North Dakota means earning at least a master’s degree from a BACB-approved program, completing 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, passing the BCBA exam, and applying to the North Dakota State Board of Integrative Health Care. Most candidates complete this path over several years of graduate study and supervised practice.
North Dakota made a significant move in 2019 when the state legislature passed Senate Bill 2236, creating a standalone licensing chapter under the North Dakota Century Code and shifting regulatory authority away from the Board of Psychologist Examiners. Today, the North Dakota State Board of Integrative Health Care (NDBIHC) handles all behavior analyst licensing under Chapter 43-64. The system is built directly around BACB certification, which means that if you’re already working toward your BCBA, you’re already meeting the state’s core requirement.
Here’s exactly what the process looks like.
Licensing Overview
North Dakota issues two categories of behavior analyst licenses under Chapter 43-64.
A Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) can practice independently and supervise licensed assistant behavior analysts. This requires a master’s or doctoral degree from a BACB-approved or ABAI-accredited program and a current BCBA credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
A Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) can provide services but must work under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst. This requires a bachelor’s degree from a BACB-approved or ABAI-accredited program and a current BCaBA credential.
These titles replaced the older “Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst” and “Registered Applied Behavior Analyst” designations when the updated framework took effect in 2021. Anyone holding a valid credential under the previous system was automatically transitioned to the new license through a grandfather provision.
If you were researching North Dakota ABA licensure a few years ago, you may have come across information about the old Board of Psychologist Examiners, the EPPP exam, or a state oral board examination. That framework was repealed effective January 1, 2020. The NDSBPE itself confirms it no longer issues these licenses. Everything in this guide reflects the current system.
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree
For a Licensed Behavior Analyst, you’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree from a program that’s accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or approved by the BACB. Programs that meet these standards typically cover:
- Behavioral assessment and measurement
- Behavior change procedures and methodology
- Legal and ethical issues in behavior analysis
- Research design and application in ABA practice
There are no universities in North Dakota that offer a complete on-campus ABAI-accredited or BACB-approved master’s program. That makes online programs a practical reality for most applicants in the state. Accredited online programs give you a wide range of options while letting you arrange practicum placements close to home.
Click here for step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst Education Requirements
For the LABA, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an ABAI-accredited or BACB-approved program, along with a current BCaBA credential. LABAs must practice under the direct supervision of a licensed behavior analyst and can’t work independently.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Fieldwork
North Dakota doesn’t set its own supervised hour requirements independently. Because BCBA certification is a prerequisite for licensure, the state incorporates current BACB fieldwork standards by reference. That means you’ll need to meet one of the following:
2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork accrued within five consecutive years, completed outside your formal coursework, with a qualified BCBA providing supervision. This is the standard independent fieldwork path for most candidates.
1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork, which involves a higher intensity of supervision contact relative to total hours. This pathway has stricter oversight requirements but can be completed more efficiently for those with access to intensive supervisory arrangements.
In both cases, your supervisor must hold a current BCBA credential and will evaluate your performance across areas including timeliness, professionalism, ethical practice, and clinical skills. The BACB tracks and verifies fieldwork directly through its certification process.
For the LABA pathway, BCaBA fieldwork requirements apply. Check the BACB’s BCaBA requirements page for current hour and supervision specifications.
Step 3: Earn Your BCBA or BCaBA Certification
BACB certification is a direct requirement for North Dakota licensure, not just a recommended credential. The administrative rules under Chapter 112-05-01 are explicit: applicants must have passed the BACB’s certification examination and hold a current, active certification in good standing at the time of application.
For the LBA pathway, that means passing the BCBA exam. For the LABA pathway, it’s the BCaBA exam. Both are administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers nationwide, including locations in Bismarck and Fargo.
Once you’ve passed and received your certification, you’ll need BACB to send verification of your credential directly to the NDBIHC as part of your license application. You can’t self-report this — the documentation has to come from BACB.
The NDBIHC’s administrative rules also reference a North Dakota professional responsibility examination as a potential future requirement, to be developed and approved by the board. As of this writing, that exam hasn’t been created. Contact the NDBIHC directly for any updates on its status.
Step 4: Apply to the NDBIHC
Once you have your degree and BCBA certification, you’re ready to file your application with the North Dakota State Board of Integrative Health Care. The application requires:
- Completed application form (available on the NDBIHC website)
- Proof of degree from a BACB-approved or ABAI-accredited program
- BACB certification verification submitted directly from BACB to the board
- Payment of all applicable fees
The initial cost is $550 total: a $50 non-refundable application fee and a $500 initial license fee (prorated quarterly). A temporary license is available for $100, which is applied toward the initial fee if your full application is approved.
License by Endorsement
If you’re already licensed as a behavior analyst in another state with substantially similar requirements, North Dakota offers licensure by endorsement. You’ll need to submit the application fee, the initial license fee, and a state license verification document from your current licensing jurisdiction. The NDBIHC has discretion in evaluating whether another state’s requirements are sufficiently comparable.
License Renewal
North Dakota behavior analyst licenses are renewed biennially, with a deadline of November 15 of each odd-numbered year. The biennial renewal fee is $100. A late filing fee of $75 applies to renewals submitted after the deadline, and a license not renewed by 11:59 PM on the deadline date is considered lapsed.
Continuing education requirements are 32 CE hours per renewal cycle, including at least 4 hours in ethics and 3 hours in supervision for those who supervise other practitioners. All CE programs must be accepted by the BACB. Keep documentation of your completed CE for at least two years, as the board conducts random compliance audits.
Behavior Analyst Salary in North Dakota
Here’s how salaries break down in North Dakota according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A note on the data: the BLS doesn’t publish a dedicated occupational category for behavior analysts. The figures below reflect SOC 21-1018 (Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors), a broader classification. ABA practitioners and BCBAs often earn on the higher end of these ranges, particularly in supervisory or clinical director roles.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $[10TH_PERCENTILE] |
| 25th | $[25TH_PERCENTILE] |
| Median (50th) | $[MEDIAN] |
| 75th | $[75TH_PERCENTILE] |
| 90th | $[90TH_PERCENTILE] |
Your actual earnings will depend on your credential level, setting (clinic, school, home-based), years of experience, and whether you’re in a supervisory role. BCBAs in clinical director or program supervision positions typically earn above the median for the broader category.
ABA Insurance Coverage in North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t have a standalone autism insurance mandate with specific dollar caps or age limits. What it does have is a parity-based coverage requirement. In 2018, the North Dakota Insurance Department issued Bulletin 2018-1, directing that ABA therapy can’t be excluded as experimental or investigational, and that limits on autism treatment can’t be more restrictive than limits on medical or surgical benefits. This applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans, with coverage required as of January 1, 2019.
For practitioners working with Medicaid clients, North Dakota operates an Autism Spectrum Disorder Waiver for children from birth through age 17, with an updated ABA fee schedule effective July 1, 2024. Self-funded employer plans governed by ERISA are generally exempt from state insurance rules but fall under federal parity requirements.
ABA Providers in North Dakota
North Dakota has a small but growing ABA provider landscape. Services are concentrated in larger population centers, with Fargo offering the most clinic-based opportunities given its size. Bismarck provides openings in educational and institutional settings tied to state government and health systems. Grand Forks has a growing provider presence as well.
The University of North Dakota has contributed to the field through academic programming, with faculty engaged in ABA research and training. Telehealth has also expanded access to rural communities across the state and created additional employment options beyond traditional clinic-based roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What board licenses behavior analysts in North Dakota?
The North Dakota State Board of Integrative Health Care (NDBIHC) issues behavior analyst licenses under NDCC Chapter 43-64. This replaced the North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners framework in 2020, following the passage of Senate Bill 2236 in 2019. You can find the board at ndbihc.org.
Do I need a BCBA to get licensed in North Dakota?
Yes. BCBA certification from the BACB is a direct requirement for the Licensed Behavior Analyst credential, not just a recommended credential or an alternative pathway. The state’s licensing system is built around BACB certification, so earning your BCBA means you’ve already met the core state standard. For the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst, BCaBA certification is required instead.
Is there still an oral exam for North Dakota behavior analyst licensure?
No. The oral board exam was part of the old NDSBPE framework under Chapter 43-32, which was repealed in 2020. Under the current Chapter 43-64 system, there’s no oral examination. Licensure is tied to BCBA certification, degree verification, and the NDBIHC application process.
How much does it cost to get licensed in North Dakota?
The total initial cost is $550: a $50 non-refundable application fee plus a $500 initial license fee. A temporary license is available for $100, which is applied toward the initial fee if your application is approved. The biennial renewal fee is $100, due by November 15 of each odd-numbered year.
What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal?
You’ll need 32 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle, including at least 4 hours in ethics and 3 hours in supervision if you supervise other practitioners. All CE must be accepted by the BACB. Keep your records for at least two years in case of a random audit.
Key Takeaways
- New board, new chapter — Behavior analysts in North Dakota are now licensed by the NDBIHC under Chapter 43-64, not the old NDSBPE. The transition happened in 2020, with full rules effective January 2021.
- Two license categories — The Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) requires a master’s degree and BCBA; the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) requires a bachelor’s degree and BCaBA.
- BCBA certification is required — It’s not optional. The state’s licensing system is built around BACB certification, so earning your BCBA means you’re already meeting North Dakota’s core standard.
- No oral exam — The old oral board examination was eliminated when the new framework took effect. The current path is a degree plus BCBA plus NDBIHC application.
- Fieldwork follows BACB standards — North Dakota defers to BACB requirements: 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork.
- Biennial renewal at $100 — Licenses renew every two years, not annually, with 32 CE hours required per cycle, including ethics and supervision components.
Ready to take the first step? Explore accredited ABA programs that can put you on the path to licensure in North Dakota.
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.