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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>368463</law_id><section_number>54.1-2957.16</section_number><catch_line>Licensure of behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts; requirements; powers of the Board</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-2957.17</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="118" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="10" identifier="29">Medicine and Other Healing Arts</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="4" identifier="4">Licensure and Certification of Other Practitioners of the Healing Arts</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any person to practice or to hold himself out as practicing as a behavior analyst or to use the title &#x201C;Licensed Behavior Analyst&#x201D; unless he holds a license as a behavior analyst issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. It is unlawful for any person to practice or to hold himself out as practicing as an assistant behavior analyst or to use the title &#x201C;Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst&#x201D; unless he holds a license as an assistant behavior analyst issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> licenses to practice as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst to applicants for licensure who meet the requirements of this chapter and the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s regulations. <a id="paragraph-1372579" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall establish criteria for licensure as a behavior analyst, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: <a id="paragraph-1372580" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Documentation that the applicant is currently certified as a <span class="dictionary">Board</span> Certified Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or its successor; <a id="paragraph-1372581" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Documentation that the applicant conducts his professional practice in accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification <span class="dictionary">Board</span> ethics code for behavior analysts and any other accepted professional and ethical standards the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> deems necessary; and <a id="paragraph-1372582" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Documentation that the applicant for licensure has not had his license or certification as a behavior analyst or as an assistant behavior analyst suspended or revoked and is not the subject of any disciplinary proceedings by the certifying <span class="dictionary">board</span> or in another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>. <a id="paragraph-1372583" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall establish criteria for licensure as an assistant behavior analyst, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: <a id="paragraph-1372584" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Documentation that the applicant is currently certified as a <span class="dictionary">Board</span> Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or its successor; <a id="paragraph-1372585" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Documentation that the applicant conducts his professional practice in accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification <span class="dictionary">Board</span> ethics code for behavior analysts and any other accepted professional and ethical standards the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> deems necessary; <a id="paragraph-1372586" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Documentation that the applicant for licensure has not had his license or certification as an assistant behavior analyst suspended or revoked and is not the subject of any disciplinary proceedings by the certifying <span class="dictionary">board</span> or in another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>; and <a id="paragraph-1372587" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Documentation that the applicant&#x2019;s work is supervised by a licensed behavior analyst in accordance with the supervision requirements and procedures established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-1372588" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter related to (i) application for and issuance of licenses to behavior analysts or assistant behavior analysts, (ii) requirements for licensure as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst, (iii) standards of practice for licensed behavior analysts or licensed assistant behavior analysts, (iv) requirements and procedures for the supervision of a licensed assistant behavior analyst by a licensed behavior analyst, and (v) requirements and procedures for supervision by licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts of unlicensed individuals who assist in the provision of applied behavior analysis services. <a id="paragraph-1372589" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall establish a fee, determined in accordance with methods used to establish fees for other health professionals licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> of Medicine, to be paid by all applicants for licensure as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst. <a id="paragraph-1372590" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2957.16/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2012, c. 3; 2023, cc. 693, 694.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
