Supervision

Supervision that feels like growth, not a checkbox

Supporting practitioners across every stage of the certification journey — from your first technician credential to independent practice.

← Back to Expertise

Supervision is one of the most meaningful parts of my work. It is where the science meets the person actually doing the work, day in and day out. Done well, it does more than tick off required hours. It builds confident, thoughtful practitioners who understand not just what to do, but why.

I provide supervision for practitioners working toward a range of credentials across the major behavior-analytic certifying boards. Whether you are just starting out as a technician or working toward independent practice, my goal is the same: to make supervision a space where you can ask questions, make sense of the science, and grow into the practitioner you want to be.

Certification should be a marker of real competence and confidence, not just a finish line you crossed.

Below is a plain-language guide to the credentials I support, grouped by the board that issues them. If you are not sure which path is right for you, that is exactly the kind of conversation I am happy to have.

The credentials, explained simply

Behavior analysis has a lot of acronyms. Here is what each one actually means, who it is for, and where it sits on the path.

BACB Behavior Analyst Certification Board Visit site ↗
RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Entry level

The frontline role that delivers ABA services directly to clients, under the close and ongoing supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA. The usual path: a high school diploma, a 40-hour training, a competency assessment, a background check, and the RBT exam.

BCaBA
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Bachelor's level

An assistant analyst who provides behavior-analytic services under the supervision of a BCBA. Typically requires a bachelor's degree, verified behavior-analytic coursework, supervised fieldwork, and the BCaBA exam.

BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Graduate level · independent

An independent practitioner who assesses, designs, and oversees behavior-analytic programs and supervises RBTs and BCaBAs. Requires a master's degree, verified coursework, supervised fieldwork, and the BCBA exam.

BCBA-D
Board Certified Behavior Analyst — Doctoral
Doctoral designation

The doctoral designation for a BCBA. It does not grant any additional practice privileges beyond the BCBA — it simply recognizes that the certificant holds a doctoral or postdoctoral degree relevant to behavior analysis.

QABA Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board Visit site ↗
ABAT
Applied Behavior Analysis Technician
Entry level

A technician who implements behavior-analytic programs under supervision — QABA's counterpart to the RBT. The usual path: a high school diploma, the required training, and the ABAT exam.

QASP-S
Qualified Autism Services Practitioner–Supervisor
Bachelor's level · can supervise

A practitioner who designs and supervises programs and can oversee ABATs. Typically requires a bachelor's degree, coursework, supervised experience, and the QASP-S exam.

QBA
Qualified Behavior Analyst
Graduate level · independent

An advanced practitioner who works independently and supervises others — QABA's most senior credential. Typically requires a master's degree, coursework, supervised experience, and the QBA exam.

IBAO International Behavior Analysis Organization Visit site ↗
IBT
International Behavior Technician
Entry level

An entry-level technician who delivers services under supervision, recognized internationally through the IBAO. The usual path: the required training and the IBT exam.

IBA
International Behavior Analyst
Degree level · independent

A practitioner who assesses, designs, and oversees programs and supervises others, credentialed internationally. Requires a relevant degree, coursework, supervised experience, and the IBA exam.

A quick note: exact requirements — coursework, supervised hours, degrees, and exams — are set by each certifying board and are updated from time to time. Always confirm the current criteria directly with the relevant board: BACB, QABA, and IBAO. If you are unsure which credential fits your background or goals, reach out and we can map it out together.

Thinking about supervision?

Whether you know exactly which credential you are working toward or you are still figuring out where to start, I would love to hear from you.

Get in touch