Applied Behavior Analysts and Applied Behavior Assistant Analysts (216-RICR-40-05-28)

These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-7(1), for the purpose of defining the prevailing standards for the licensure of applied behavior analysts and applied behavior assistant analysts.

These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) “Behavior and Ethical Compliance Code” (2017) by reference, not including any further additions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.

A.Wherever used in this Part, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

1.“Act” means R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-86 entitled “Licensing of Applied Behavior Analysts”.

2.“Applied behavior analyst” means an individual licensed to practice applied behavior analysis pursuant to provisions of the Act and this Part.

3.“Applied behavior analyst aide” means an individual, not licensed pursuant to the Act and this Part, who works under the supervision of a licensed applied behavior analyst, who assists in the practice of applied behavior analysis and whose activities require an understanding of applied behavior analysis, but do not require professional or advanced training in the basic anatomical, psychological, and social sciences involved in the practice of applied behavior analysis.

4.“Applied behavior assistant analyst” means an individual licensed who practices applied behavior analysis pursuant to the provisions of the Act and this Part.

5.“Board” means the Rhode Island Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Board established pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-4.

6.“Department” means the Rhode Island Department of Health.

7."Director" means the means the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

8.“Education” means the academic program pursued by the person in obtaining the bachelors, masters or doctorate degree, that the programs to include formal course work, seminars and practica.

9.“Practice of applied behavior analysis” means the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modifications by a behavior analyst to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior.

a.It includes the empirical identification of functional relations between environment and behavior, known as functional assessment and analysis.

b.Applied behavior analysis interventions are based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of behavior and environment. They utilize contextual factors, establishing operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcement and other consequences to help people develop new behaviors, increase or decrease existing behaviors, and emit behaviors under specific environmental conditions.

c.The practice of applied behavior analysis expressly excludes psychological testing, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and long-term counseling as treatment modalities. Such services are provided by an individual licensed pursuant to Act and this Part only when applied behavior analysis services are prescribed by a child psychiatrist, a behavioral developmental pediatrician, a child neurologist or a licensed psychologist with training in child psychology pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 27-20.11-4.

10.“Psychologist with equivalent experience” means an individual deemed to hold equivalent licensure as an applied behavior analyst upon satisfying equivalency requirements through submission and satisfaction of written evidence of education and relevant experience to the Department pursuant to § 28.5.3 of this Part.

11.“Supervised experience” means the practical application of principles, methods and procedures of the science of applied behavioral analysis in accordance with the requirements of §§ 28.5.1(A)(2) of this Part (applied behavior analyst) or 28.5.2(A)(2) of this Part (applied behavior assistant analyst).

12.“Supervision” means that a licensed applied behavior analyst is at all times responsible for supportive personnel and clients. Supervision is further defined in § 28.4.3 of this Part.

13.“Training” means the pre-professional or professional supervised experience received by the person at the pre or post-doctoral level that experience to have been obtained in an internship, clinic, or other similar professional setting.

28.4.1License Required

A.It shall be unlawful for any person to practice as a licensed applied behavior analyst or licensed applied behavior assistant analyst, or represent themselves as such, unless they are duly licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Act and this Part.

B.It shall further be unlawful for any person to offer services to the public or to render to individuals or groups of individuals services defined as the “practice of applied behavior analysis,” pursuant to § 28.3(A)(9) of this Part, unless that person is licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Act and this Part.

C.Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 28.4.1(A) and (B) of this Part, nothing in this Part shall prohibit an individual licensed as a psychologist pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-44 from practicing within their field of expertise, including practicing behavior analysis.

28.4.2Title Authorized.

Any individual licensed pursuant to Act and this Part may use the title “licensed applied behavior analyst” and the abbreviation “LBA” or the title “licensed applied behavior assistant analyst” and the abbreviation “LABA”, provided that the title and abbreviation correspond to the license held pursuant to the Act and this Part.

28.4.3Supervision.

Supervision requirements are in accordance with the provisions set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-26.  

28.4.4Exemptions.

Persons and practices exempt are in accordance with the provisions set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-21.

28.4.5Temporary Waiver.

An applied behavior analyst licensed or certified in another state, or United States territory may perform applied behavior analysis services in the State of Rhode Island without obtaining a license for up to ten (10) calendar days per calendar year with no more than five (5) days of this activity occurring consecutively. The calendar day limit shall not apply to services as an expert witness in a legal proceeding.

28.5.1Applied Behavior Analyst.

A.An applicant for licensure as an applied behavior analyst shall meet the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-9(a). In addition, the applicant shall meet the following requirements:

1.Has successfully completed the amount of coursework in applied behavior analysis consistent with Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements.

2.Has appropriate supervised experience in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-9(a)(4) or;

a.Supervised experience as required by the BACB and is acceptable to the Board.

3.Has passed the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB);

4.Maintain active status and fulfill all relevant requirements for renewal and relicensing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

28.5.2Applied Behavior Assistant Analyst.

A.An applicant for licensure as an applied behavior assistant analyst shall meet the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-9(b). In addition, the applicant shall meet the following requirements:

1.Has successfully completed the amount of coursework in applied behavior analysis consistent with BACB requirements.

2.Has appropriate supervised experience in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-9(b)(4) or,

a.Supervised experience as required by the BACB and is acceptable to the Board.

3.Is supervised by a licensed applied behavior analyst in a manner consistent with the requirements of § 28.4.3 of this Part;

4.Has passed the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB);

5.Maintain active status and fulfill all relevant requirements for renewal and relicensing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

28.5.3Psychologist with Equivalent Experience.

A.An applicant shall also be considered eligible for licensure as an applied behavior analyst if the equivalency requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-9(c) are met to the satisfaction of the Board. In addition, the applicant shall meet the following requirements:

1Has completed one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours of direct client contact offering applied behavior analysis services subsequent to being awarded a doctoral degree in psychology, or as approved by the Board.

2.Be individually licensed by the Department as a psychologist pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-44.

28.6.1Application for Licensure

A.Application for licensure shall be made on forms furnished by the Department, which shall be completed and submitted to the Board. Such application shall be accompanied by the following documents:

1.Verification of current BACB certification or current license to practice psychology in the State of Rhode Island;

2.Verification that the applicant is in good standing in state(s) where licensed [if licensed in another state(s)]; and

3.Full Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) check from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.

28.6.2Fee

The application fee (not refundable and non-returnable) as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) shall accompany the application for licensure. Applications received without the required application fee shall be returned to the applicant.

28.7.1Issuance of License.

A.A license as an applied behavior analyst, applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience may be issued to:

1.An applicant who meets the relevant requirements for licensure as required by the Act and this Part; or

2.An applicant who has been certified by an appropriate nationally recognized and accredited organization, as approved by the Department, and licensed as an applied behavior analyst, applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience pursuant to laws of another state, United States territory, or foreign country where the Board determines that the requirements are substantially equivalent to those required pursuant to the Act and this Part.

28.8.1Expiration.

The license of every person licensed pursuant to provisions of the Act and this Part shall expire on the first (1st) day of July of the next even-numbered year following the issuance of his or her license.

28.8.2Renewal.

Every licensed person who desires to renew his or her license shall file with the Department a renewal application, executed, together with a renewal fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title), on or before the first (1st) day of June in each even-numbered year. Upon receipt of a renewal application and payment of the renewal fee, the Department may grant a renewal license effective on the first (1st) day of July and expiring on the thirtieth (30th) day of June in each even-numbered year.

28.8.3Continuing Education.

Every person who desires to continue licensure as an applied behavior analyst or applied behavior assistant analyst shall present satisfactory evidence to the Board that they have met BACB continuing education unit requirements to maintain that certification.

28.8.4Lapsed License.

A.Any person who allows his or her license to lapse by failing to renew it on or before the first (1st) day of June in each even-numbered year, as required by this Part, may be reinstated by the Department on payment of the current renewal fee, plus an additional fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).

B.Any person who allows his or her license to lapse for greater than one year must submit a reinstatement application for licensure and will be charged a renewal fee plus an additional late fee. In addition, the applicant must submit a new BCI and evidence that they are in compliance with the BACB continuing education unit requirements to maintain that certification.

C.Any person using the title licensed applied behavior analyst, licensed applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience who offers services defined as the “practice of applied behavior analysis,” pursuant to § 28.3(A)(9) of this Part, during the time his or her license has lapsed is subject to the penalties provided for violation of the Act and this Part.

28.9.1Transfers to Inactive List.

A licensed applied behavior analyst, licensed applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience who does not intend to continue his or her licensure may, upon written request to the Department, have his or her name transferred to an inactive list, and shall not be required to pay the renewal fee as long as he or she remains inactive.

28.9.2Reinstatement.

If a licensed applied behavior analyst or licensed applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience wishes to resume functioning as an applied behavior analyst. applied behavior assistant analyst, or psychologist with equivalent experience (as applicable), he or she must notify the Department and remit his or her renewal fee as set forth in the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) along with an application and attestation of completion of the continuing education requirements in accordance with § 28.8.3 of this Part within the immediate two (2) years prior to the applicant’s request for licensure reinstatement.

28.10.1Limitation of Practice.

A.A licensed applied behavior analyst, licensed applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience shall limit his or her practice to demonstrated areas of competence as documented by relevant professional education, training, and experience.

B.A licensed applied behavior analyst, licensed applied behavior assistant analyst or psychologist with equivalent experience shall conduct his or her professional activities in accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Behavior and Ethical Compliance Code incorporated by reference above at § 28.2 of this Part.

28.11.1Due Process.

A.Upon due notice and hearing in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35 (the Administrative Procedures Act), and the provisions of § 28.12 of this Part, any violation pursuant to the provisions of the Act and this Part, may be cause for denial, revocation or suspension of license or for imposing such other penalties in accordance with the Act.

B.The procedure for discipline of applied behavior analysts, applied behavior analyst assistants and psychologists with equivalent experience shall be in accordance with the provisions set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-17.

28.11.2Grounds for Discipline.

The Board has the power to deny, revoke, or suspend any license issued by the Department in accordance with the Act and this Part, or to discipline a licensed applied behavior analyst or licensed applied behavior assistant analyst upon proof that the individual has committed any of the acts stated in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-16.

28.11.3Grounds for Discipline without a Hearing

Discipline without a hearing is pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-86-18.

All hearings and reviews required pursuant to provisions of the Act and this Part shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the rules and regulations pertaining to Practices and Procedures before the Rhode Island Department of Health (Part 10-05-4 of this Title).