When ABA starts, you will meet several people, often with letters after their names. One may visit for the assessment and parent meetings, another may come several times a week to work with your child, and a third may show up for observations. Knowing who does what helps you know who to ask, what to expect, and whether the team is set up the way the rules require.
Who certifies ABA professionals in Florida?
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), a national nonprofit, issues all three credentials covered here: BCBA, BCaBA and RBT. Florida does not have a state licensing board for behavior analysts. Instead, s. 393.17, Florida Statutes, says the state "shall recognize the certification of behavior analysts awarded by a nonprofit corporation" that meets national credentialing standards, which describes the BACB. Florida's autism insurance law, s. 627.6686, requires ABA to be provided by someone certified under s. 393.17 or licensed under Chapter 490 (psychologists) or 491 (clinical social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists).
So the credentials to look for are BACB certifications. Some clinicians, like Hope Center's clinical director, hold both a BACB certification and a Florida Department of Health license.
What does each role do?
| BCBA | BCaBA | RBT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Graduate-level certification | Undergraduate-level certification | Paraprofessional certification |
| Minimum education | Master's degree or higher | Bachelor's degree or higher | High school education; at least 18 years old |
| Training | Behavior-analytic coursework or an accredited program, plus 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (or 1,500 concentrated) | Behavior-analytic coursework plus 1,300 hours of supervised fieldwork (or 1,000 concentrated) | 40-hour training meeting the 2026 requirements, plus an Initial Competency Assessment |
| Exam | BCBA exam | BCaBA exam | RBT exam |
| Practice independently? | Yes. The BACB calls BCBAs "independent practitioners" | No. May provide services only under BCBA supervision | No. Must practice under close, ongoing supervision |
| Typical role with your child | Assessment, writing and updating the treatment plan, parent training, supervising staff, reports to insurance | Helping with assessments, program changes and supervision of RBTs, under a BCBA | Delivering sessions, collecting data, following the plan |
| Can supervise RBTs? | Yes | Yes | No |
The BCBA
The BCBA is the clinician in charge of your child's ABA program. They run the assessment, write a plan with measurable goals, train you, review the data, adjust the plan and write the progress reports insurers require, usually about every six months. A BCBA does not diagnose autism; that comes from a qualified diagnostician such as a psychologist or physician. Some BCBAs have doctorates and hold the BCBA-D designation, which is a designation on top of the BCBA, not a separate level of practice.
The BCaBA
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts are less common in many practices. The BCaBA handbook says they "may not provide behavior-analytic services without the supervision of a BCBA." They can supervise RBTs and can also work in the RBT role. If a BCaBA is on your child's team, ask who their supervising BCBA is.
The RBT
The Registered Behavior Technician is the person your child will likely spend the most time with. RBTs carry out the plan the BCBA writes, record data and share how sessions went. The BACB describes RBT activities as being "determined by their supervisor(s)" and lists examples such as preference assessments, discrete-trial teaching and session notes. RBTs do not design treatment plans or change goals on their own.
Where does a clinical director fit?
Many ABA organizations have a clinical director, usually a senior BCBA, who oversees clinical quality across cases: reviewing treatment plans, supporting BCBAs, setting supervision practices and handling escalated concerns. The title is set by each organization, not by the BACB, so ask what the clinical director's role is on your child's case.
What a month might look like (example)
As an illustration only: an RBT might see your child several times a week and send a short note after each session. The BCBA might observe and coach during sessions on a regular schedule, meet with you for parent training, review the data and adjust programs. Every few months, the BCBA writes a progress report and requests reauthorization. If a BCaBA is on the team, they may handle some observations and program updates under the BCBA's direction. The details depend on your child's plan and your insurer's authorization.
What changed for RBTs in 2026?
The BACB's RBT Handbook (updated 06/2026) reflects several changes that took effect January 1, 2026:
- New 40-hour training. Applicants must complete a 40-hour training that meets the RBT 2026 training requirements.
- Initial Competency Assessment. Effective January 1, 2026, the competency assessment is completed after the 40-hour training and no more than 90 days before applying.
- Background and abuse registry checks. Applicants must pass a criminal background check and an abuse registry check within 180 days before applying.
- Certified supervisors only. RBT Supervisors and RBT Requirements Coordinators must be BCBA or BCaBA certified, and must complete supervisor training before supervising.
RBTs must also keep up with professional development each two-year cycle and renew their certification.
How does supervision work?
Under the RBT Handbook, an RBT must receive supervision for at least 5% of the hours they spend providing behavior-analytic services each calendar month, with at least two face-to-face, real-time contacts per month. The supervisor must observe the RBT working with a client in at least one of those contacts. Observation can happen in person or by video-conference, but phone calls and email do not count.
Insurers often expect more than the BACB minimum. Aetna's ABA medical necessity guide and Cigna's (Evernorth) EN0499 policy describe supervision, called protocol modification, at about 1 to 2 hours for every 10 hours of direct treatment. The guide on how much BCBA supervision your child should get explains the difference and what to ask.
How do I check someone's credentials?
- Use the BACB Certificant Registry on bacb.com. It is free. Search by name or certification number and check the credential type and whether it is active.
- For licensed clinicians, such as an LCSW or psychologist, use the Florida Department of Health license verification search.
- Ask the provider for the names and credentials of everyone on your child's team. The BACB Ethics Code (standard 2.08) says behavior analysts provide "an accurate and current set of their credentials" on request.
Step-by-step instructions are in how to verify a BCBA or RBT in Florida.
Questions to ask about your child's team
- Who is my child's BCBA, and how often will they see my child in person or by video?
- Who is the RBT, and who supervises them?
- How many cases does the BCBA carry? (The Ethics Code, standard 4.03, asks behavior analysts to take on only as many supervisees as they can supervise effectively.)
- How will I hear from the BCBA between progress reports?
- What happens if our RBT leaves?
How Hope Center's team is structured
At Hope Center for Behavior Change, BCBAs write every program and RBTs deliver sessions. BCBAs supervise RBTs weekly, and every plan is reviewed by the clinical director, Aisha Albright-Jourdan, MSW, LCSW, BCBA, before it goes to insurance. Parents receive weekly training and can text or call the RBT, the BCBA or the front desk.
You can meet the clinicians on our team page, read how Hope Center supervises RBTs, or request a free consultation. You can also call 561-337-8865.