Checking a provider's credentials takes about five minutes and is free. It is a routine, reasonable step for any parent, and good providers expect it. This guide walks you through the two places to look in Florida: the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) registry for BCBAs, BCaBAs and RBTs, and the Florida Department of Health license lookup for clinicians such as licensed clinical social workers and psychologists.
Why are there two places to check?
Florida does not issue a state license for behavior analysts. Section 393.17, Florida Statutes, directs the state to "recognize the certification of behavior analysts awarded by a nonprofit corporation" that meets national standards. In practice, that is BACB certification. So:
- BCBA, BCBA-D, BCaBA and RBT credentials are checked on the BACB Certificant Registry.
- LCSW, licensed mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist and psychologist licenses are checked on the Florida Department of Health (DOH) MQA license verification portal.
- A clinician with both, such as an LCSW who is also a BCBA, appears in both places. Check both.
Background on why: see who can legally provide ABA in Florida.
How do I check a BCBA, BCaBA or RBT?
- Open the registry. On bacb.com, go to the "Verify Certification" page and choose the BACB Certificant Registry. The BACB calls it "the primary resource for quickly and easily verifying an individual's certification status" and says it "is updated daily."
- Pick the certification type. Check RBT, BCaBA, BCBA or BCBA-D (you can check more than one).
- Pick the status. Choose All to see active, inactive and expired records.
- Search. Use a General Search by last name (required) and first name, with country United States and state Florida, or search by certification number if the provider gave you one. On the search form, BCBA numbers start with 1, BCaBA numbers with 0, and RBT numbers with RBT.
- Read the result. Check the name, location, certification type and status. A dagger symbol (†) next to a status means the certificant "has one or more published sanctions or actions from the BACB," which you can read by expanding the row.
What should I look for?
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current certification | Confirm the name matches the person working with your child |
| Inactive | Certification not currently active; BACB verification letters list reasons such as voluntary inactive status, not supervised, or disciplinary action | Ask the provider why, and ask that it be resolved before that person continues working with your child |
| Expired | Certification is no longer held | The person should not present themselves as certified |
| † next to status | Published BACB sanction or action | Expand the row and read it; ask the provider about it |
| No result | Spelling, a name change, or not certified | Try other spellings and the certification number, then ask the provider |
Special note for RBTs
An RBT must work under "the direction and close supervision of an RBT Supervisor and/or RBT Requirements Coordinator," and RBT Supervisors must hold BCaBA or BCBA certification. One of the inactive reasons the BACB lists is "not supervised." Ask your provider which BCBA supervises your child's RBT, then look that BCBA up too. Under the BACB's RBT Handbook, supervision must cover at least 5% of the RBT's service hours each calendar month, with at least two real-time contacts. See how much BCBA supervision to expect.
Florida Certified Behavior Analysts (FL-CBA)
A small number of analysts hold the FL-CBA, a designation from Florida's former state program that the BACB now maintains and that "is valid only in Florida." To verify an FL-CBA, the BACB asks you to submit its Verification Letter Request form.
Do I need a written verification letter?
Usually not; the registry is enough for a parent. If you need written proof, the BACB offers verification letters for "a $25 fee per verification," emailed "within 3-5 business days" after payment, and you must create a BACB portal account to pay.
How do I check an LCSW, counselor or psychologist license?
- Open the DOH lookup. Go to the Florida Department of Health MQA Search Portal, License Verification (mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us).
- Choose the board or profession. For clinical social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists, choose "BOARD OF CSW/MFT/MHC" or the profession "Licensed Clinical Social Worker." For psychologists, choose "BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY."
- Enter the name or license number and search.
- Read the record. Check the license status and expiration date, and look for any discipline or public complaints shown on the record.
The DOH profession list also includes "Board Certified Behavior Analyst Out-of-State Telehealth" registrations. Those are for out-of-state providers who treat Florida patients by telehealth under s. 456.47. A Florida-based BCBA will normally not appear there.
What should I ask the provider directly?
A short, friendly message works well:
"Before we start, could you send me the full names and BACB certification numbers of the BCBA and RBTs who will work with [child], and tell me who supervises each RBT? If any clinician on the team holds a Florida license, please include the license number."
Also ask how often the BCBA will see your child and the RBT, and how you can reach the BCBA with questions. Red flags include refusing to share credentials, an RBT with no named supervisor, or anyone claiming a "Florida ABA license." More warning signs are in red flags in an ABA provider.
What if something does not match?
- Ask the provider first. A name change, a new certification number or a typing error can explain it.
- Check the BACB's Falsified Credentials and/or Misrepresentation page, which lists people known to have misrepresented BACB certification and includes a form to report it.
- For a published disciplinary action, the BACB suggests asking the certificant for a copy of the BACB Disciplinary Determination.
- If you have concerns about a DOH-licensed clinician, use the DOH portal to review the record and the department's complaint process.
- For billing questions about who delivered services, compare session notes with your Explanation of Benefits and ask your plan.
Checking Hope Center's team
You are welcome to verify our team. Hope Center's clinical director, Aisha Albright-Jourdan, MSW, LCSW, BCBA, holds Florida clinical social work license SW22831 (check it on the DOH portal) and BACB certification 1-21-55428 (check it on the BACB registry). Our programs are written by BCBAs and delivered by RBTs, BCBAs supervise RBTs weekly, and every plan is reviewed by the clinical director before it goes to insurance. Meet the team on our team page, and when you start with us, ask for the names and certification numbers of everyone on your child's team. To begin, contact us or call 561-337-8865 for a free consultation and free benefits check.