Apply for a license online
- Certified Behavior Technician
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The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.
You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.
There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
Online application instructions are on our website.
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
- Licensed Behavior Analyst
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The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.
You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.
There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
Online application instructions are on our website.
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
- Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
-
The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.
You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.
There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
Online application instructions are on our website.
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
Apply for a license on paper
- Applications and forms
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The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.
Applications must be completed either by hand or typed via type writer. Completing forms in Adobe or other PDF maker will be considered modified and deficient.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Licensed assistant behavior analyst application (PDF)
- Licensed assistant behavior analyst expired application (PDF)
- Licensed assistant behavior analyst supervised experience form (PDF)
- Licensed assistant behavior analyst continuing education form (PDF)
Certified Behavior Technician
- Certified behavior technician application (PDF)
- Certified behavior technician expired application (PDF)
- Certified behavior technician training program Form (PDF)
- Certified behavior technician attestation (PDF)
Additional Forms
Please keep in mind the following when submitting applications:
The Department of Health is a primary source verification. This means the department requires certain documents to be sent from the originating source.
Education or training documents must be sent directly from the source (i.e., school or training supervisor).
Mail your application with initial documentation and your check or money order payable to:
Department of Health
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099For certified behavior technicians (CBT) and licensed assistant behavior analyst applicants:
- The training program form is to be sent from the training supervisor who is attesting to the training.
- Please ensure the declaration form is in a sealed envelope or sent separate from your application.
Send other documents not sent with initial application to:
Applied Behavior Analyst
Credentialing
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877Any application questions please call 360-236-4700 or send an email to customer service.
Fee Schedule
- See licensing fees below
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Licensed behavior analyst
Non-refundable fee type Fee amount Application and initial license $250 Active license renewal $350 Late renewal penalty $175 Expired license reissuance $175 Temporary license $50 Duplicate license $10 Verification of license $25 Licensed assistant behavior analyst
Non-refundable fee type Fee amount Application and initial license $160 Active license renewal $175 Late renewal penalty $90 Expired license reissuance $90 Duplicate license $10 Verification of license $25 Certified behavior technician
Non-refundable fee type Fee amount Original application and initial license $95 Active license renewal $150 Late renewal penalty $75 Expired license reissuance $75 Duplicate license $10 Verification of license $25
Definitions and License Requirements
Primary Source Verification Letter (PDF)
Please see definitions and license requirements for specific applied behavior analyst professions below.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
- Definition
-
Licensed behavior analyst" means an individual who is licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis.
- Current BACB certification as a BCBA.
or - A master's or doctorate degree in behavior analysis or other natural science, education, human services, engineering, medicine, or field related to behavior analysis approved by the secretary. An official transcript must be provided as evidence of the degree required;
- Successful completion of a minimum of two hundred twenty-five classroom hours of graduate level instruction in behavior analysis topics. An official transcript must be provided as evidence of the course work required;
- Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement, consisting of a minimum of one thousand five hundred hours; and
- Successful completion of the national BCBA examination.
- Current BACB certification as a BCBA.
- Renewal requirements
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The initial credential will expire on your birthday. Initial credentials issued within ninety days of your birthday do not expire until your next birthday.
Your credential must be renewed every two years on or before your birthday. Renewals postmarked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late, and subject to a late renewal penalty.
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Definition
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"Licensed assistant behavior analyst" means an individual who is licensed to engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst.
Current certification as a BCaBA from the BACB.; orProof of ongoing supervision
- Graduation from a recognized bachelor's degree program under WAC 246-805-210. An official transcript must be provided as evidence of the degree required;
- Successful completion of a minimum of one hundred thirty-five classroom hours of instruction in behavior analysis topics described in WAC 246-805-220. An official transcript must be provided as evidence of the course work required; and
- Successful completion of a supervised experience requirement under WAC 246-805-230.
Additional information/documents required.
- Proof of ongoing supervision
- Renewal requirements
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The initial credential will expire on your birthday. Initial credentials issued within ninety days of your birthday do not expire until your next birthday.
Your credential must be renewed every two years on or before your birthday. Renewals postmarked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late, and subject to a late renewal penalty.
Certified Behavior Technician
- Definition
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Paraprofessional who implements a behavior analysis treatment plan under the close, ongoing supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed assistant behavior analyst, but who doesn't design or supervise the implementation of a behavior analysis treatment plan.
- Credentialing requirements
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- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current registration as a RBT from the BACB;
or
Successful completion of a 40-hour behavior technician training program outlined in WAC 246-805-310 to include:
- Classroom, online, or supervisor-led instruction
- Experiential learning
- Evaluation and assessment
- Renewal requirements
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The initial credential will expire on your birthday. Initial credentials issued within ninety days of your birthday do not expire until your next birthday.
Your credential must be renewed every two years on or before your birthday. Renewals postmarked or presented to the department after midnight on the expiration date is late, and subject to a late renewal penalty.
List of National Accredited Professional Credentialing Entities
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
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- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) accepted toward the Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential.
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) accepted toward the Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) credential.
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) accepted toward the Certified Behavior Technician (CBT) credential.