To become a licensed behavior analyst in Oklahoma, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis, complete 1,500-2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA® certification exam, and apply for state licensure through the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB). The entire process typically takes 3-5 years.
Oklahoma was ahead of the curve in regulating applied behavior analysts. Back in 2009, the state became one of the first in the nation to establish licensing laws with the creation of the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB). The OLBAB operates within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services Division, and serves as the state’s dedicated licensing authority for behavior analysts.
Here’s what makes Oklahoma’s approach a bit different: the OLBAB requires you to hold national BCBA® certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board before you can even apply for state licensure. So you’ll be earning two credentials, not just one.
Understanding Oklahoma’s Licensing Requirements
It’s important to understand the difference between these two credentials you’ll be working toward:
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification – This is your national certification granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). It’s recognized nationwide and required for state licensure in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst – This is your state license issued by the OLBAB, which allows you to practice as a behavior analyst in Oklahoma. You can’t get this without first obtaining the BCBA® certification.
The OLBAB also licenses assistant applied behavior analysts (those with BCaBA® certification), which we’ll cover throughout this guide.
Here’s your roadmap to becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Oklahoma:
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree in Behavior Analysis
Your first milestone is earning a master’s or doctoral degree that meets the BACB’s curriculum requirements. This typically takes 2-3 years for a master’s program.
All graduate programs that are accredited or recognized through the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or accredited by the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) automatically meet the BACB’s educational requirements. That’s the easiest path because everything’s already approved.
If you’re looking at a program that isn’t ABAI- or APBA-accredited, you can still meet the requirements by completing an ABAI-Verified Course Sequence (VCS) as part of your degree. The VCS is basically a package of coursework that’s been pre-approved by ABAI to meet BACB standards.
Here’s something to keep in mind: The ABAI is discontinuing its VCS system at the end of 2025. Starting in 2026, your university will need to provide proof that your coursework meets BACB standards through a course-by-course review. If you’re applying to programs now, ask how they’re handling this transition.
The BACB can also approve curriculum from programs without a VCS through a course-by-course review process. Your department chair, dean, or a BCBA-certified VCS Coordinator reviews your course materials and completes a Non-Verified Course Content Attestation that goes to the BACB.
Many qualifying programs are available online, giving you the flexibility to keep working while you earn your degree. Ready to start your search? Explore accredited graduate programs that meet BCBA® requirements.
What You’ll Study
Your coursework will cover the core concepts and practices of ABA, including:
- Ethical and legal issues in behavior analysis
- Behavior change methodologies
- Single-subject research designs
- Skinner’s writings on applied and theoretical behavior analysis
- Behavioral assessments
- Introduction to applied behavior analysis
- Advanced behavior analysis topics
The strongest programs include a thesis component and supervised field experience. Your thesis is your chance to contribute original research to the field, and it often builds on the practical experience you’ve gained through practica and internships.
Prerequisites for ABA Master’s Programs
Most programs accept students with an undergraduate degree in any related field:
- Education
- Counseling
- Psychology
- Special education
- Social work
You might need to complete some prerequisite coursework before starting your graduate program, such as:
- Research methods
- General psychology
- Applied behavior analysis
- Conditioning and learning
- Developmental psychology
Education Requirements for Assistant Behavior Analysts
If you’re pursuing the assistant behavior analyst path, you’ll need to earn the BACB’s Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) credential by passing the BCaBA® certification exam. The requirements are less intensive than the BCBA® track:
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited institution, plus coursework in:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Ethical and professional conduct
- Research methods in behavior analysis
- Principles and concepts of behavior analysis
For complete career information and job outlook, learn more about BCaBA® certification and career paths.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Fieldwork Experience
After your coursework, you’ll need to complete supervised fieldwork hours. The BACB requires between 1,500 and 2,000 hours, depending on the level of supervision you receive. This typically takes 1-2 years to complete, though some students finish faster if they’re working in the field full-time.
Here’s what the BACB requires from supervised experience:
- Development of performance expectations for your work
- Behavioral skills training, observation, and performance feedback
- Modeling of ethical, professional, and technical behavior
- Guidance on case decision-making, conceptualization, and problem-solving
- Review of written materials like reports, behavior programs, and data sheets
- Evaluation and oversight of how well behavioral services are being delivered
- Up to half of your supervision hours can be completed in small groups
- Everything must follow a written contract between you and your supervisor
If you’re enrolled in an ABAI- or APBA-accredited program, you’ll likely start earning these hours during a practicum that’s built into your degree. Your program director will help you find a qualified supervisor and placement site. For a detailed guide to BCBA® certification requirements, including exam preparation and timeline, see our detailed guide to BCBA® certification requirements.
Supervision Requirements for Assistant Behavior Analysts
BCaBA® candidates need between 1,000 and 1,300 supervised fieldwork hours to qualify for certification. The supervision structure follows the same standards as the BCBA® track.
Step 3: Pass the BCBA® Certification Exam
Once you’ve completed your degree and fieldwork hours, you’ll apply with the BACB to take the BCBA® exam. After they approve your application, they’ll send you instructions for registering through Pearson VUE.
You’ll choose your exam date, time, and testing location. Pearson VUE has testing centers throughout Oklahoma:
- Norman
- Oklahoma City
- Ardmore
- Stillwater
- Lawton
- Pryor
- Tulsa
What’s on the BCBA® Exam
You’ll have four hours to complete 175 multiple-choice questions covering these content areas:
- Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations: 5%
- Concepts and Principles: 14%
- Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation: 12%
- Experimental Design: 7%
- Ethical and Professional Issues: 13%
- Behavior Assessment: 13%
- Behavior-Change Procedures: 14%
- Selecting and Implementing Interventions: 11%
- Personnel Supervision and Management: 11%
Examination Requirements for Assistant Behavior Analysts
BCaBA® candidates apply for the exam through the BACB and schedule it through Pearson VUE, following the same process. The exam content is similar to the BCBA® exam but is scaled to the assistant-level scope of practice.
Step 4: Apply for Oklahoma State Licensure
After you’ve earned your BCBA® certification, you can apply for state licensure through the OLBAB. Both behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts follow the same application process.
You’ll need to provide your current BCBA® certificate number and expiration date when you apply for licensure.
Send your application to:
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Finance Division
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
License Renewal
Both the behavior analyst and assistant behavior analyst licenses must be renewed by April 30 of each odd-numbered year. The renewal application is the same as your initial application.
Here’s the important part: you have to maintain your national BACB certification to renew your state license. The BACB requires biannual renewal with continuing education:
- BCBA®s need 32 units of approved continuing education
- BCaBA®s need 20 units of approved continuing education and must maintain supervision requirements
At least four hours of your continuing education must focus on ethics. Approved continuing education can include:
- College and university coursework
- Scholarly activities like publishing research
- Retaking and passing the certification exam
- Education from BACB-authorized providers
- Teaching or instruction activities
Career Outlook and Salaries in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s job market for behavior analysts is growing steadily. According to state labor projections, behavioral health counseling roles in Oklahoma are projected to grow significantly through 2032. Exact growth rates and annual openings vary depending on the occupational classification used. For the most current workforce projections, consult the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission or Projections Central.
Oklahoma’s 2016 autism insurance reform, which expanded coverage for ABA services, has contributed to increased demand for qualified behavior analysts in the state.
What You’ll Earn in Oklahoma
As of May 2024, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Oklahoma (the broader BLS category that includes many BCBAs) earned a median salary of $58,610. Here’s the full salary range:
- Entry-level (10th percentile): $33,860
- 25th percentile: $44,320
- Median: $58,610
- 75th percentile: $78,710
- Top earners (90th percentile): $94,980
The mean salary across all experience levels was $62,220, with 4,460 professionals employed in the field statewide.
Keep in mind that ABA professionals and BCBAs typically earn on the higher end of this range, especially those working in specialized clinical settings or with supervisory responsibilities. Your actual salary will depend on your experience level, work setting (schools, clinics, private practice), and specific role.
Leading ABA Providers in Oklahoma
The number of ABA providers in Oklahoma continues to grow each year. Here’s a look at some of the leading organizations providing services and career opportunities in the state:
Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, Oklahoma City
Founded in 2015, Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education provides clinic-based ABA therapy in a structured environment where children learn developmental and age-appropriate skills. Their programs focus on daily living, communication, pre-academic skills, and social readiness. They emphasize regular parent and caregiver training as part of their approach. Their BCBA team designs personalized, one-on-one treatment plans for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Learning Collaborative, Oklahoma City
Serving the greater Oklahoma City region, Autism Learning Collaborative offers comprehensive autism therapy services focused on:
- Behavior planning
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Language and communication
- Play skills
- Pre-academic skills
- Self-help
- Social skills
Their center-based services use ABA principles and include collaboration with families and community resources to support each child’s success.
Therapy and Beyond, Oklahoma City
With three locations in the Oklahoma City area (including Broken Arrow and Jenks), Therapy and Beyond is a major ABA provider in Oklahoma. They deliver intensive, individualized one-on-one sessions for families. Beyond ABA, they also offer speech and occupational therapy services to help children reach their full potential.
BlueSprig Autism, Edmond
BlueSprig Autism provides individualized ABA treatment in the Edmond area, focusing on teaching life and social skills to children with autism. They offer specialized programs for adolescents ages 7-18 through center-based, after-school ABA therapy:
Branching Out: Explorers Program (ages 7-12) – Focuses on core skill building through interactive activities
Branching Out: Trailblazers Program (ages 13-18) – Provides targeted interventions with emphasis on life skills, social skills, and independence
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a BCBA in Oklahoma?
The typical path takes 3-5 years total. That includes 2-3 years for your master’s degree and another 1-2 years to complete your supervised fieldwork hours. Some students finish faster if they complete fieldwork hours concurrently with their degree or work full-time in the field after graduation.
Can I complete my ABA degree online?
Yes. Many ABAI-accredited and VCS programs are available fully online, allowing you to keep working while earning your degree. Your supervised fieldwork hours must still be completed in person with qualified supervisors, but the coursework can be completed remotely.
How much does it cost to become a BCBA in Oklahoma?
Costs vary significantly by program. Graduate tuition for ABA programs typically ranges from $15,000 to $50,000+ for the full degree, depending on whether you attend a public or private institution and whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. You’ll also pay BACB application fees ($140 for the initial application and $245 for the exam), state licensure fees, and continuing education costs for renewal.
What’s the difference between BCBA certification and Oklahoma licensure?
BCBA® certification is your national credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, recognized across the United States. Oklahoma licensure is your state-specific license issued by the OLBAB that allows you to practice as a behavior analyst in Oklahoma. You must have BCBA® certification before you can apply for Oklahoma licensure.
Do I need to be licensed in Oklahoma if I already have my BCBA?
Yes. If you’re practicing as a behavior analyst in Oklahoma, you need both BCBA® certification and state licensure from the OLBAB. Oklahoma is one of the states that requires state licensure in addition to national certification.
Key Takeaways
- Oklahoma requires both national and state credentials – You’ll earn BCBA® certification first, then apply for state licensure through the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board (OLBAB).
- The full process takes 3-5 years. This includes earning your master’s degree (2-3 years) and completing supervised fieldwork hours (1-2 years). However, timelines vary based on whether you’re studying full-time and completing hours concurrently.
- Choose an accredited program to simplify the path – ABAI- or APBA-accredited programs automatically meet BACB curriculum requirements. Programs with VCS also work, but the VCS system is being phased out after 2025.
- Oklahoma’s job market is growing – State labor projections show significant growth in behavioral health counseling roles through 2032. Median salaries for counselors in the broader BLS category are $58,610, with BCBAs typically earning on the higher end.
- License renewal requires ongoing education – You’ll renew your state license every two years by maintaining BCBA® certification, which requires 32 continuing education units (including at least 4 hours in ethics).
Ready to start your path to becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Oklahoma? Explore accredited graduate programs that meet BCBA® requirements and connect with Oklahoma’s growing ABA community.
Wondering how Oklahoma compares to other states? Compare Oklahoma’s requirements with those of other states.
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. Many BCBAs are classified within this BLS category, though some may be reported under other social service or psychological occupational categories. Actual salaries for BCBAs are frequently higher than the median figures shown here. ABA salaries can vary based on experience, location, and setting. Data accessed February 2026.