How to become a UKBA(cert)
There are five routes to become a UKBA(cert). Each requires a minimum of a master’s degree and documented supervised practice in behaviour analysis. For full details on the UKBA(cert) and certification requirements,
refer to the UKBA(cert) Manual.
Details can also be found in the Routes to the UKBA(cert) .
You must know which Route you are applying for, and you must have all the appropriate evidence ready before you start the application.
You should also familiarise yourself with the requirements for maintaining UKBA(cert) certification (see below).
Routes A, B, and C
The majority of candidates for UKBA(cert) will achieve certification by Route A, B or C. These routes are open to those who have completed all three of the following:
| Route Criteria |
Evidence Required |
| 1) A master’s degree in behaviour analysis | An official certificate or university transcript |
2) Approved postgraduate coursework
|
If your course is not on the UK-SBA or ABAI list of approved courses, you will need to provide a letter from the awarding university confirming that the course was an ABAI® Verified Course Sequence or Tier 1 Accredited Programme at your time of study. |
3) Documented supervised practise
|
A completed UKBA(cert) Competence Log
Two case studies A Final Attestation Form |
Route B
UKBA(cert)s who are certified by Route B will be granted Probationary Status for 1 year, during which they will need to complete the UKBA(cert) Essential Competencies. Please see the section below UKBA(cert) Probationary Status for further details.
Route D
This Route is for candidates with a doctorate in behaviour analysis or a related field and extensive practical behaviour analytic experience.
Route D is open to candidates meeting the following criteria:
| Route Criteria |
Evidence Required |
| 1) Qualification Evidence | A copy of the doctoral certificate
AND The title and abstract of the doctoral dissertation |
| 2) Experience Evidence | AND
A letter of reference from a full UKBA(cert) |
UKBA(cert)s who are certified by Route D will be granted Probationary Status for 1 year, during which they will need to complete the UKBA(cert) Essential Competencies. Please see the section below UKBA(cert) Probationary Status for further details.
Route E
This Route is for candidates with an international certification that is considered comparable with the UKBA(cert).
At this time, the UK-SBA accepts applicants for the UKBA(cert) with the following certifications:
- BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst)
- BCBA-D (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst – Doctoral)
UKBA(cert)s who are certified by Route E will be granted Probationary Status for 1 year, during which they will need to complete the UKBA(cert) Essential Competencies. Please see the section below UKBA(cert) Probationary Status for further details.
|
Route Criteria |
Evidence Required |
Certification Evidence
|
A copy of the certificate showing the certification, your name, your certification number, and the date certified from/to
OR A screenshot of the public register showing your name, certification number, and date certified from/to. |
UKBA(cert) Probationary Status
UKBA(cert)s who are certified by Routes B, D, and E will be granted Probationary Status for 1 year, during which they will need to complete the UKBA(cert) Essential Competencies. These are a subset of the UKBA(cert) Supervision & Competence Standards, and aim to ensure a working knowledge of behaviour analytic ethics and practise relevant to the UK context.
Probationary competencies must be completed within the 12-months registration as a Probationary UKBA(cert). Probationary status will be visible on the searchable profile. The Probationary Competencies are in addition to the mandatory 16 specified APD required by all UK-SBA registrant members to renew certification. This route is explained fully in the Probationary Competencies Manual.
The UKBA(cert) Supervision and Competence Standards
The majority of candidates for UKBA(cert) will complete the UKBA(cert) Supervision and Competence Standards. For full details on these Standards, refer to the UKBA(cert) Handbook.
Those completing the UKBA(cert) Supervision and Competence Standards must be supervised by a full UKBA(cert) in good standing with the UK-SBA. The Supervisor:
- must be fully searchable on the register and must hold all three items for safety to practice
- must have held certification as a UKBA(cert) or a BCBA for a minimum of three consecutive years
- must have completed either the BACB 8-hour supervision training OR any 3-hour supervision training provided by the UK-SBA.
Safety to Practice Items
All UK-SBA registrants must demonstrate Safety to Practice items. You must hold and provide evidence for each of the following:
- Current liability insurance covering your behaviour analytic practice (must be issued by a UK provider).
- A criminal records disclosure issued by a UK Government body (must be issued within 3 years of your current UK-SBA member registration date).
- Safeguarding Training relevant to the population with which you are working (must be delivered by a UK organisation and must have been completed within 3 years of your current UK-SBA member registration date).
Evidence for each of the Safety to Practice items will be required as part of the registration process. You will not be able to register as a UKBA(cert) without this evidence.
For further details go to the UK-SBA Register Requirements.
Maintaining Certification
Each year, a UKBA(cert) must renew their certification. There are several requirements to do this.
Safety to Practice
To be able to renew your certification, your Safety to Practise items must be in date with evidence uploaded to your account. See above for details of these Safety to Practise items.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
All UKBA(cert)s are expected to engage in continuing professional development throughout their period of certification. In order to renew your certification each year, you will need to provide evidence of 16 Approved Professional Development (APD) units collected within that year of certification. BACB Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also accepted. For full details on APD Requirements, please refer to the UKBA(cert) Manual.
Ongoing Supervision
All UKBA(cert) must complete a minimum of 10 hours ongoing supervision. A template is provided in the UKBA(cert) Manual.
The UKBA(cert) must keep a record of their ongoing supervision and must complete 10 hours over the 12 month membership period. You do not need to upload this to your account for renewal but you must be able to provide this if you are chosen for a member spot check or for the complaints process.
Please note: Probationary UKBA(cert) members do not need to evidence 10 hours ongoing supervision, please refer to the Probationary UKBA(cert) manual.