Guide to Applying for Registration as a Behaviour Analyst Using Transitional Routes

UPDATED: June 2023

Transitional Route #1

Applicants applying for a Certificate of Registration for a Behaviour Analyst Authorizing Autonomous Practice under Transitional Route #1 must provide evidence of active BCBA or BCBA-D certification in good standing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).  

Note:  Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of active BCBA or BCBA-D certification in good standing with BACB, may apply using Transitional Route #2 (see below), or may apply for a Certificate of Registration for a Behaviour Analyst Authorizing Supervised Practice using the entry-level registration route.

Transitional Route #2

Applicants applying for a Certificate of Registration for a Behaviour Analyst Authorizing Autonomous Practice under Transitional Route #2 (i.e., experienced Behaviour Analysts who have not earned BCBA or BCBA-D certification) must provide evidence, satisfactory to the College, that they:

• practised as a Behaviour Analyst at any point within or during the three (3) years prior to the Regulation coming into force and  that they engaged in practice in Canada, or in a jurisdiction that regulates behaviour analysts within the scope of practice of Applied Behaviour Analysis for at least 1500 hours during the four-year period that immediately preceded the date that the applicant submitted their application, and
• are competent to practise as a Behaviour Analyst responsible for independent clinical decision-making.

Note:  Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of required minimum experience and competence to practice cannot proceed in the registration process using this transitional route and may apply for a Certificate of Registration for a Behaviour Analyst Authorizing Supervised Practice using the entry-level registration route.

Verification of Practice of the Profession and Competence to Practise

Section A:  Mandatory- Evidence of Current Practice as a Behaviour Analyst

1. Evidence of Current Practice as a Behaviour Analyst:  Applicants must provide evidence that they were practising ABA within the statutory scope of practice of the profession at any time within the three years prior to proclamation of the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 (which is the date the Regulation comes into force)
   
   AND
   
2. Evidence of 1500 practice currency hours in Canada, or in a jurisdiction outside of Canada that regulated Behaviour Analysts, prior to applying for registration:    Applicants must also prove that they practised in Canada, or in a jurisdiction outside of Canada that regulates Behaviour Analysts, within the statutory scope of practice of the profession a minimum of 1500 hours within the four years prior to submitting their application. 

Section B:  Mandatory- Evidence of Competence to Practice

1. Evidence of Practice Experience: Applicants will provide evidence of experience practising the profession competently.  Information provided in Section A will be considered here, in addition to experience above and beyond experience evidenced in Section A. 
2. Education in Behaviour Analysis:  Applicants will provide evidence of formal education in behaviour analysis.  Applicants practising the profession for more than 10 years, but have not had formal education in the profession, may provide evidence of competent practise to the Registrar or the Registration Committee by the satisfactory completion of a peer assessment or by completing a short period of supervised practice.

Section C:  Additional Evidence Verifying Competence to Practise as a Behaviour Analyst

Applicants who cannot provide the minimum evidence in Section B, may provide additional evidence of experience and competence as a Behaviour Analyst.  Behaviour Analysts practise in various settings and may engage in other activities within the profession, which may also be recognized by the College.  Categories of activities within the profession, outlined in Section C, below, provide opportunities for experienced Behaviour Analysts to provide evidence of their additional prior learning and experience. 

Examination of Knowledge or Competence: 

Applicants who provide satisfactory evidence of current practice of the profession (Section A) and competence to practice within the statutory scope of practice of the profession (Section B), and, where applicable, Section C, may proceed in the registration process.  All individuals applying under Transitional Route #2, must pass the College’s examination of knowledge or competence, to provide further evidence that they are competent to practice the profession safely.

Remaining Registration Requirements for All Transitional Route Applicants

All applicants must also meet the remaining registration requirements, including:

• Completion of the Jurisprudence and Ethics module,
• Provide evidence of language fluency in English or French,
• Provide evidence of good standing in any jurisdiction or other profession in which they are or were previously regulated,
• Provide evidence of good character, including criminal record check,
• Provide evidence of eligibility to work in Canada,

• Payment of applicable fees.   

PROVIDING ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION TO THE COLLEGE FOR TRANSITONAL REGISTRATION

Transitional Route #1

An applicant must provide evidence of active BCBA or BCBA-D type certification in good standing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).  This information must be forwarded directly to the College from BACB and cannot be provided by the applicant. 

Transitional Route #2

EVIDENCE OF CURRENT EXPERIENCE PRACTISING THE PROFESSION OF APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS

SECTION A:  MANDATORY

• An applicant must provide evidence of current practice in Applied Behaviour Analysis within the three years prior to proclamation AND evidence of a minimum of 1500 hours of practise in Canada within the four (4) years prior to applying for registration with the College.

SECTION A: Current Experience in ABA

Acceptable Supporting Documentation

1.  Practising as a Behaviour Analyst: (i)  within the 3 years prior to Proclamation (give date) AND (ii)  a minimum of 1500 hours in Canada, or in a jurisdiction outside of Canada that regulates Behaviour Analysts, within the 4 years prior to applying to the College. The practice must be clearly within the scope of practice of the profession while providing services directly to clients and/or while supervising others in the provision of services, which involve clinical decision-making responsibility for the services provided.     The College has developed a guideline for applicants describing activities that are deemed acceptable as practice currency hours and as well as those activities that will not be counted towards this requirement.  Evidence of Current Practice of the Profession can be found here.

1. A chronological CV which includes the applicant’s history practising within the scope of practice of the profession, with start and finish dates for each listed position. AND 2. An attestation from an employer, former employer, supervisor, or colleague in the ABA community, who has observed the applicant in their practice, attesting to the applicant’s experience and competence to practice within the scope of practice of the profession, including clinical decision-making.  Additional attestations from insurance or government program provider, referral source, etc., may attest to the applicant’s experience in practice.

EVIDENCE of Competence to Practise as a Behaviour Analyst- SCORING SYSTEM

A minimum of 50 points must be achieved in this section for an applicant to challenge the College’s examination of knowledge or competence.  An applicant who does not achieve a minimum of 50 points cannot proceed in the registration process using this transitional route.

• Before proceeding to Section B, an applicant must provide acceptable evidence of current practice in the profession as described in Section A. 
• In Section B, applicants will provide evidence of further practice experience (if any) and education. 
  • Applicants, practising the profession for fewer than 10 years, must provide evidence of education related to behaviour analysis or in a related field. 
  • Applicants who have practised the profession for more than 10 years, and who have no formal education in behaviour analysis or a related field, may provide evidence of competence approved by a panel of the Registration Committee, (e.g., peer assessment, or period of supervised practice ). 
  • Applicants who do not achieve a minimum of 50 points in Section B, may accumulate additional points in Section C. 

• Acceptable supporting documentation is described for each category.  However, the Registration Committee has the right to request further information to verify practice experience and competence.

ASSIGNMENT OF POINTS

Minimum number of points required to be eligible to write the College’s examination of knowledge or competence is 50

Points are assigned based on an applicant’s evidence of practice competence, including education (with supporting documentation).   Practice currency (Section A) and a minimum points threshold must be met in Section B, and if applicable, Section C, to demonstrate evidence of competence to practise within the statutory scope of practice of ABA.  An applicant must reach the minimum number of points to be considered as meeting these requirements to be able to challenge the College’s examination of knowledge or competence. 

IF THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD OF 50 POINTS IS NOT REACHED:  An applicant who does not meet the minimum points threshold, cannot proceed in the application process using this transitional registration route. Additional training or experience may be necessary to meet the minimum number of points.  An applicant may re-apply during the transitional period, following completion of additional training or work experience, or may apply, at any time for a Certificate of Registration for a Behaviour Analyst Authorizing Supervised Practice, using the entry-level registration route.

SECTION B:  Current Experience and Education in ABA	Acceptable Supporting Documentation	Maximum and Minimum Points	Points Range
1. Experience must be clearly within the scope of practice of the profession while providing services directly to clients and/or while supervising others in the provision of services, which involve clinical decision-making responsibility for the services provided.  The College has developed a guideline for applicants describing activities that are deemed acceptable as practice experience as well as activities that will not be counted as practice experience.  Evidence of Current Practice of the Profession can be found here.	1.     A chronological CV which includes the applicant’s history practising within the scope of practice of the profession, with start and finish dates for each listed position. 2.     An attestation from an employer, former employer, supervisor, or colleague in the ABA community, who has observed the applicant in their practice, attesting to the applicant’s experience and competence to practice within the scope of practice of the profession, including clinical decision-making.  Additional attestations from insurance or government program provider, referral source, etc., may attest to the applicant’s experience in practice.	Maximum:  30 Points for evidence of 5 years or more of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience working within the scope of practice of Applied Behaviour Analysis.  May also include providing clinical supervision to others where the applicant is responsible for clinical decision- making.  Minimum: 10 Points	Less than 5 years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience: 12-17    months: 10 points 18-23    months: 12 points 24-29    months: 15 points 30-35    months: 20 points 36-59   months: 25 points 60 or more: 30 points
2. Completion of a degree, at a minimum master’s level, in behaviour analysis or in a related field, OR Completion of some, but not all recognized graduate-level coursework in behaviour analysis.	Transcripts sent directly from academic institution.	Maximum:  20 points for completion of post-graduate degree at a minimum master’s level and completion of recognized coursework in Behaviour Analysis or graduation from a post-graduate program in behaviour analysis, at a minimum master’s level, that is accredited by ABAI. Minimum:  5 points (*unless #3 applies)	Post-graduate degree, at a minimum master’s level, in a related field, including psychology: 10 points AND/OR For partial completion of recognized coursework in behaviour analysis, points will be assigned to a maximum of 20 based on the number of course hours Less than 180 hours: 5 points 180 hours or more: 10 points OR  A post-graduate program in behaviour analysis, at a minimum master’s level, that is accredited by ABAI: 20 points
3.* For applicants with more than 10 years experience, but who have had no formal education in Behaviour Analysis.	Undergo a peer assessment; or Short period of supervised practice	20 points- for completion of peer assessment or supervised practice to the satisfaction of the Registrar or Registration Committee.	0 points for unsuccessful completion or 20 points for successful completion.  No partial points awarded.

SECTION C:  OPTIONAL Additional Evidence Verifying Competence to Practise as a Behaviour Analyst

An applicant, who provides acceptable evidence of minimum required experience of less than 3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) and competence to practice, but has fewer than 50 points, may accumulate additional points in Section C.  

SECTION C:  Additional Evidence of Practice Categories	Acceptable Supporting Documentation	Maximum Points	Points Range
Experience providing ABA services while under supervision.  May include practicum or placement hours completed while fulfilling the requirements of recognized coursework in Behaviour Analysis.	Attestation of clinical supervisor documenting dates of supervision and the nature of tasks completed while under supervision. (A form may be developed for this).  Optional: -CV of clinical supervisor -Copies of forms completed during supervised practice, if available.	20 points for 1500 or more hours of supervised practice with evidence	1-499 hours: 5 points 500-999 hours: 10 points 1000- 1499 hours: 15 points 1500 or more hours: 20 points
Teaching in Applied Behaviour Analysis at an accredited institution	Course Syllabus/Outline Calendar or website screenshot	10 points for 3 or more distinct semester-length courses in behaviour analysis	1 course: 4 points 2 courses: 7 points 3 or more courses: 10 points
Research in applied behaviour analysis affiliated with an accredited institution	Peer reviewed behaviour analytic publication(s) related to clinical skills. Accepted research or grant proposal	10 points for authorship of multiple peer reviewed behaviour analytic publication(s) or of grant or research proposal	1 publication/proposal: 4 points   2 publications/proposals: 7 points 3 or more publications/proposals: 10 points
Other education related to maintaining the standard of practice of applied behaviour analysis, including continuing professional development/education completed within the past 3 years	Copies of certificates as evidence of participation in activities. Education must be formal and include an assessment component to ensure understanding of concepts.	5 points for 30 hours completed within the past 3 years.	1-9 hours: 2 points 10-19 hours: 3 points 20-29 hours: 4 points 30 or more hours: 5 points
Registration with another health or other regulated profession in Ontario.	Certificate of standing from each applicable regulatory authority inside of Ontario	5 points	0 or 5 points
Service to the profession by participating on the Board or a committee of a recognized ABA association	Attestation of an officer of the organization or screen shot of the association website showing applicant’s name and position	5 points	0 or 5 points