Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Oregon requires earning at least a master’s degree, completing supervised fieldwork hours, passing the BCBA exam, and applying for licensure through the Oregon Health Licensing Office. The process typically takes two to four years after your undergraduate degree. Oregon’s median salary for this field is $69,660 as of May 2024.
Oregon was one of the first states to establish a formal licensing structure for applied behavior analysts, passing its licensing law in 2013 and implementing it in 2015. The Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board (BARB) oversees the process, and the requirements are closely tied to BACB certification standards. If you’re researching what it actually takes to get licensed here, this guide covers every step, plus current salary data for Oregon’s major metro areas.
Licensing Requirements for Behavior Analysts in Oregon
Oregon law, under ORS 676.800–676.820, creates three credential categories for people who provide ABA services in the state. Understanding which category fits your career goals is the first decision you’ll make on this path.
License and Registration Categories in Oregon
Oregon recognizes two license types and one registration: the Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA), and the Registered Behavior Analysis Interventionist. LBAs and LABAs are required to hold BACB certification before applying. BARB currently requires proof of BACB certification (such as BCBA or BCaBA) for these licenses; Oregon statutes also allow other board-approved certifying agencies, though BACB credentials are the implemented standard.
- LBA (full-scope practice) — Requires BACB certification at the BCBA level, which requires at least a master’s degree
- LABA (limited-scope practice) — Requires BACB certification at the BCaBA level, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree
- Registered Behavior Analysis Interventionist — Requires only a high school diploma or GED, plus 40 hours of approved ABA training; this is a registration, not a license.
Oregon law also allows certain other licensed health care professionals registered with BARB to provide ABA services.
Oregon’s Insurance Mandate and What It Means for BCBAs
Oregon signed autism insurance reform into law in August 2013, making it the 34th state to require insurance coverage for ABA treatment. The law applies to individual and fully insured health insurance plans regulated by the state. Oregon law sets a 25-hours-per-week coverage standard for ABA when coverage is first requested before age nine, and regulatory guidance indicates these standards function as minimums, not hard caps. The state mandate does not automatically bind self-funded ERISA plans.
For BCBAs in Oregon, this matters. Insurance coverage drives demand for qualified practitioners, and it’s one of the reasons the state’s job market has grown steadily since the mandate took full effect in 2016.
Step 1. Earn a Graduate Degree in Behavior Analysis
Currently, BCBA certification is the only pathway specified in Oregon’s LBA licensure rules, and it requires at least a master’s degree. Your degree must be in behavior analysis, education, or psychology, with a qualifying focus or coursework in behavior analysis. The BACB has specific requirements for the coursework it must cover.
The clearest path is a program that’s been verified through one of two routes. First, ABAI-accredited or VCS graduate programs are automatically recognized as meeting BACB curriculum requirements. Second, programs with a BACB-verified course sequence (VCS) have gone through the same pre-approval process. If your program isn’t on either list, your coursework will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis before you can sit for the exam.
Many students today pursue their master’s degree online. That flexibility is a practical reality for people who are already working or who don’t live near a qualifying program. The key is making sure your online program meets BACB coursework requirements before you enroll, not after.
Click here for detailed step-by-step instructions on the BCBA® credentialing process.
Education Requirements for AABAs and Interventionists
Assistant behavior analysts (AABAs/LABAs in Oregon) need at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify for the BCaBA credential and state licensure. BCaBA candidates complete the same two fieldwork types as BCBA candidates — Supervised Fieldwork and Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork — under a qualified supervisor. For current BCaBA hour requirements, refer to the BCaBA Handbook on the BACB website. Registered Behavior Analysis Interventionists only need a high school diploma or GED, plus documentation of 40 hours of approved training in applied behavior analysis.
Step 2. Complete Supervised Fieldwork
Before you can sit for the BCBA exam, you’ll need to complete a supervised fieldwork requirement set by the BACB. Under current BACB standards, you have two pathways for fulfilling this:
- Supervised Fieldwork — 2,000 hours completed in an approved setting under the supervision of a qualified BCBA
- Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork — 1,500 hours with a higher percentage of time spent in direct skill-building activities, also completed under BCBA supervision.
Independent fieldwork happens in a clinical setting outside your degree program. You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement in most cases. During your fieldwork, you’ll conduct assessments, design behavior analysis programs, and oversee their implementation. A current BCBA must supervise your work and report on your performance to the BACB.
Fieldwork Opportunities in Oregon
Oregon has a range of ABA providers and agencies that take on fieldwork students. Some options across the state include:
- Centria Autism Services, Eugene
- Footprints Behavioral Interventions, Salem
- Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Astoria
- Behavior Support Solutions, Portland
This list isn’t exhaustive. University programs often maintain updated lists of approved fieldwork sites, and many of Oregon’s public school districts and regional health systems also offer placements for graduate students.
Step 3. Pass the BCBA Certification Exam
Pearson VUE administers the BCBA exam at testing centers across Oregon. Locations can change, so use the Pearson VUE test center locator to find a current site near you.
Before you can register for the exam, you’ll need to verify your education and fieldwork through the BACB’s online system. Once your application is approved, you can schedule through Pearson VUE. The exam covers multiple content areas aligned with the BACB’s task list, and passing it is required before you can apply for your Oregon state license.
Step 4. Apply for Licensure with the BARB
Once you’ve completed your education, fieldwork, and passed your exam, you’ll apply for licensure through the Oregon Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board. Applications are available through the Health Licensing Office website.
License and Registration Fees
Fees vary by credential category:
| Credential Type | Application Fee | License / Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) | $150 | $200 |
| Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) | $125 | $175 |
| Registered Behavior Analysis Interventionist | $75 | $100 |
The application fee is due at the time of submission. You pay the license or registration fee separately after your application is approved. You’ll also need to submit a valid photo ID, proof of BACB certification (or high school diploma for interventionists), and consent to a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Oregon doesn’t offer reciprocal or temporary licenses, but you’ll need to disclose any prior out-of-state licensure and provide an affidavit with your application.
License Renewal in Oregon
Oregon LBA and LABA licenses are valid for 1 year and are renewed annually through the Health Licensing Office. Renewal fees match the original license fee. Continuing education is mandatory for all behavior analysts, with specific requirements set by the BARB.
ABA Employers and Providers in Oregon
Oregon’s ABA workforce is concentrated in the Portland metro area, but demand for qualified BCBAs exists across the state, including in Eugene, Salem, Bend, and more rural regions. The state’s insurance mandate has driven steady growth in private practice settings, autism treatment centers, and school-based ABA programs.
Public school districts, regional developmental disability programs funded through Oregon DHS, hospital systems, and private ABA clinics are all active employers. Oregon also has a strong telehealth ABA sector, particularly for clients in rural areas who face limited access to in-person services.
Behavior Analyst Salary in Oregon
Oregon pays well relative to the national picture. The statewide median salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (the BLS category that includes ABA professionals) was $69,660 as of May 2024. For context on how Oregon compares to other states, the national median sits at $59,190. It’s worth noting that this BLS category captures a broad range of counseling professionals, not BCBAs specifically. Actual salaries for BCBAs and licensed ABA professionals are often higher than these figures suggest, reflecting their graduate-level training and certification requirements.
Here’s how Oregon’s major metro areas compare:
| Metro Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $50,700 | $71,530 | $107,880 | 3,640 |
| Salem, OR | $37,740 | $74,810 | $108,650 | 460 |
| Bend, OR | $47,620 | $82,380 | $105,890 | 390 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $46,290 | $63,720 | $108,240 | 820 |
| Medford, OR | $38,500 | $64,460 | $89,330 | 310 |
| Oregon (Statewide) | $48,570 | $69,660 | $103,380 | 6,410 |
Bend stands out with the highest metro median at $82,380. Salem’s top earners reach $108,650. Portland’s large employment base (3,640 positions in the metro area) offers the most market depth for job seekers.
Job Growth and Outlook
Oregon’s job market for ABA and behavioral health counselors is growing quickly. State projections show a 27.4% increase in employment from 2022 to 2032, compared to the national average of roughly 18%. That translates to approximately 900 new job openings per year across Oregon. The field is going in the right direction, and Oregon’s combination of insurance mandates, a growing population, and strong demand for autism services is a big part of why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oregon require BCBA certification to practice as a behavior analyst?
In practice, yes. BARB currently requires proof of BACB certification — typically the BCBA credential — to obtain an LBA license. Oregon statutes do allow other board-approved certifying agencies, but BACB certification is the implemented standard. If you’re planning your path to licensure now, earning your BCBA is the route to follow.
How long does it take to become a licensed behavior analyst in Oregon?
Most people complete the process within 2 to 4 years after finishing their undergraduate degree. A master’s program typically takes two years, fieldwork hours are usually completed during or after the program, and exam preparation adds a few months. The application and background check process with BARB is generally quick once you have your BCBA credential.
Can I transfer my ABA license from another state to Oregon?
Oregon doesn’t offer reciprocal licensure. If you’re already licensed in another state, you’ll still need to go through Oregon’s full application process. You’ll be required to disclose your out-of-state licensure and submit an affidavit with your application.
What’s the difference between an LBA and a registered behavior analysis interventionist in Oregon?
An LBA is a fully licensed behavior analyst with graduate-level education and BCBA certification. A registered behavior analysis interventionist is an entry-level paraprofessional who can provide ABA services under supervision, requiring only a high school diploma and 40 hours of approved training. The interventionist credential is a state registration, not a license, and doesn’t require BACB certification.
What cities in Oregon pay the most for behavior analysts?
Based on May 2024 BLS data, Bend has the highest median salary at $82,380, followed by Salem at $74,810 and Portland at $71,530. The Portland metro area offers the most positions overall, with 3,640 jobs in the field. Top earners in Salem and Eugene reach over $108,000 annually.
Key Takeaways
- BCBA certification is the implemented path to LBA licensure — BARB requires proof of BCBA certification for LBA and LABA licenses, which means your path runs through a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork, and the BCBA exam.
- Three credential levels exist in Oregon: LBA (master’s degree + BCBA), LABA (bachelor’s + BCaBA), and Registered Behavior Analysis Interventionist (high school diploma + 40 training hours, state registration only).
- Oregon’s insurance mandate drives demand — Signed into law in 2013 and effective since 2016, the mandate covers ABA treatment for autism and has driven consistent demand for qualified BCBAs across the state.
- Salaries are above the national median — The statewide median is $69,660 as of May 2024, with Bend ($82,380), Salem ($74,810), and Portland ($71,530) leading the major metros.
- The job market is growing fast — Oregon’s employment in this field is projected to grow 27.4% from 2022 to 2032, generating around 900 openings per year.
Ready to take the next step toward becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Oregon? Compare ABA master’s programs that meet BACB coursework requirements and offer fieldwork placement support.
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.