Is Becoming a BCBA Worth It?

If you work in the behavioral analysis industry, you probably consider obtaining certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to be a significant accomplishment. For many, this is the pinnacle of achievement within the industry, especially for those who work administering applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

BCBA certification takes a lot of time, effort, dedication and financial investment. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which sets the rules and qualifications for becoming a BCBA, designs the process to be stringent so that only those with a lot of knowledge, expertise and experience are able to be in leading roles for ABA therapy and related treatments.

With so much that goes into becoming BCBA certified, you might wonder whether becoming a BCBA is worth it. Here are some of the main benefits of becoming BCBA certified.

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Credibility

From a personal achievement standpoint, becoming BCBA certified validates that you are the cream of the crop in your field. Not just anyone can become a BCBA — even those who have worked tirelessly for years in the field just don’t have what it takes to meet all the requirements and pass the exam.

Having BCBA certification also validates the credibility of your work, skills and abilities that you can bring to the table. Employers and clients alike can know that you have met all the rigorous requirements to become BCBA certified, which can provide you with many opportunities in the future.

Career Opportunities

Speaking of the future, BCBAs generally have many more career opportunities in the field than others do. As the number of people requiring ABA therapy increases, so, too, does the demand for people who hold the highest certifications to be able to create, manage and administer treatment plans.

As a BCBA, you will have endless job opportunities, in environments such as private practices, hospitals, community organizations and even school districts.

Increased Salary

With the increased job opportunities also comes the potential to earn a high salary. A number of factors are pushing the demand for ABA therapy higher every year, and that means that BCBAs are in high demand.

The BCBA certification process is so stringent by design that there aren’t nearly as many BCBAs available as there are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or other professionals in the field. This high demand for service and smaller supply of available qualified people means that BCBAs often have a very high earning potential.

Higher Direct Impact on Patients

Becoming a BCBA can also be a very fulfilling and rewarding job from a personal standpoint. The work that you’ll do as a BCBA will have a direct impact on the outcomes of your patients.

Through our work, you will be creating and adjusting treatment plans, analyzing data and working directly with patients, parents, caregivers and others to help support your patients in the best way possible.

While RBTs may have more direct interaction with clients, your work as a BCBA will be more instrumental in the long-term outlook and progress that patients make, since you are responsible for creating the plans that RBTs and others will follow.

Benefit	Explanation
Credibility	Establishes expertise and trust with employers and clients
Career Opportunities	Access to positions in hospitals, schools, private practices, and organizations
High Salary Potential	Limited supply of BCBAs creates competitive compensation
Patient Impact	Involvement in developing and assessing individualized treatment plans
Professional Growth	Continuing education and evolving best practices foster long-term development

What are Some Things to Consider Before Becoming a BCBA?

While there are many great benefits of becoming a BCBA, there are some things that you definitely need to consider.

First, becoming a BCBA is often a long and arduous road. In addition to having to obtain your bachelor’s and master’s degree in certain fields and/or at certified institutions, you need to complete years of supervised fieldwork before you even qualify to take the official certification exam.

Preparing for the exam is no walk in the park, either. Studying takes a lot of hours and dedication, and the exam itself isn’t easy. In fact, only about half of people who take the exam pass it the first time.

Even if you pass the exam and obtain certification, there are continuing education requirements that you must adhere to in order to maintain your BCBA certification.

All of this, of course, also requires a significant financial commitment that many people will need to carefully plan for. The schooling can often cost a lot of money, as can exam preparation tools and taking the exam itself.

Blue Gems ABA Supports Children with ASD

Despite some of the obvious challenges to doing so, the benefits of becoming a BCBA often outweigh the negatives. Of course, this is a personal choice that every prospective candidate must make for themselves.

At Blue Gems ABA, we are dedicated to supporting children with ASD by administering ABA therapy. Through our experienced RBTs and BCBAs, we craft individualized treatment plans that cater specifically to each individual patient’s unique strengths and challenges.

To learn more, please contact us today.