Your Questions About the BACB’s Change in International Focus
Is the UK-SBA developing a credentialing system to replace the BACB’s certification system?
Yes. However, our efforts to secure professional recognition of qualified behaviour analysts and develop UK-based standards for practice began long before the BACB’s announcement. Since 2013, UK-SBA’s primary mission has been to promote professional recognition of behaviour analysts in the UK and to work with key stakeholders to develop the standards that will underpin a credentialing system that is independent of the BACB.
Where does the UK-SBA register factor into this process? Why is it important?
The UK-SBA register is the first step to obtaining accreditation and recognition for behaviour analysts in the UK. It allows us to set standards for various membership types and to ensure registrants meet particular criteria. This, in turn, allows consumers to make more informed choices about the behaviour analysts they hire or those who might be assigned to them. Right now, our standards are underpinned by the BACB’s standards. In the future, we will able to develop our own UK-based standards. We will be submitting our register for approval by the Professional Standards Authority. You can read more about this here.
Will the UK-SBA’s credentialing system be in place before the BACB’s January 2023 deadline?
Probably not. Although the UK-SBA is working diligently on this endeavour, there are many pieces that must be in place before any credentialing system is fully operational. To provide a bridge between the BACB’s end of international certifications and the onset of a UK-based system, the UK-SBA will be applying for the BACB’s certification for specific countries. If approved, this would allow UK behaviour analysts to continue to be certified by the BACB. However, we cannot guarantee that our application to the BACB will be approved.
Once the UK develops its own standards, will those already certified by the BACB automatically meet the requirements of the new UK system, or will there be additional requirements?
Individuals who have current BCBA or BCaBA certifications at the time the UK-SBA’s system is fully operational will be able to use those qualifications to meet the UK-SBA’s behaviour analytic standards. However, our system might also require registrants to submit proof of their right to work in UK (e.g., a UK passport or residence permit), proof of professional liability insurance, and proof of a current DBS check.
If I am already a BCBA or BCaBA when the UK system is operational, will I need to choose between the two?
No. Behaviour analysts in the UK may maintain any certifications or credentials for which they meet the standards of the organisations that offer those certifications/credentials.
I am currently a behaviour analysis student in the UK and/or I am working to complete my hours for BACB certification. Is there any point becoming a BCBA or BCaBA now?
Yes. We strongly encourage behaviour analysis students and/or those working to complete their supervised practice hours to continue with these endeavours. As noted above, having a BCBA or BCaBA certification will make moving your certification to the UK system more straightforward. Further, the BACB has provided assurances that anyone who gains certification prior to 1 January 2023 will be certified in perpetuity (provided they continue to meet the BACB’s requirements for maintaining certification).
I have done the maths and I do not have time to complete my supervised practice hours and take the BACB exam before the January deadline. Will I be able to count the work I have done so far toward the new UK credential?
Maybe. Once the UK credentialing system is fully established, we will consider all documentation that applicants produce in support of their applications. For supervised practice hours, we would consider the dates in which practice hours were accrued. Large gaps in your engagement in behaviour analytic work or working without appropriate supervision could potentially be problematic, so we would strongly encourage you to carry on with supervised practice until the UK system is fully operational.
I am from the US/Canada and am planning to complete my MSc in Behaviour Analysis in the UK before January 2023. Will my course meet the requirements for me to become certified once I return home?
If the university where you are studying offers an ABAI Verified Course Sequence that is consistent with the BACB Task List for which you are sitting the exam, your degree for a UK university will still be valid if you take the exam after January 2023. However, you should check with your university about what version of the BACB Task List they offer.
Will the UK-SBA continue to offer CEU opportunities to BCBAs and BCaBAs?
Yes. The UK-SBA will continue to be a BACB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) provider and to host high quality continuing education events for its members and behaviour analysts across Europe.
I noticed that UK-SBA membership now requires accrual of continuing professional develop (CPD) units each year. Can those requirements be met with accruing the CEUs required to maintain my BACB certification?
Yes. Any event that meets the BACB’s requirements for continuing education also meets the UK-SBA’s requirements for CPD. You can use the same event to document CEUs to meet the BACB’s requirements and the UK-SBA’s CPD requirements.
I can no longer be a member of the UK-SBA because I reside outside the UK. When the new UK-SBA credentialing system is operational, will I be eligible to apply?
No. Because we are governed by UK-specific laws, we will not be able to extend the UK credential to individuals who live outside the UK.
If my country develops their own behaviour analysis credential and I move to the UK, will the UK recognise my credential and allow me to transfer to the UK system?
Maybe. We will be working with our European colleagues to promote reciprocal recognition of behaviour analytic qualifications across Europe.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Please let us know and we will try to find the answer (e-mail [email protected]). Please note that we cannot answer questions on behalf of the BACB. If you have a question that is specific to the status of your certification, please contact the BACB or access their FAQs.