Abstract
Geographic distribution patterns of board certified behavior analysts may be useful in analyzing the growth of the field. First, we present an international snapshot of Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certificants, then analyze relative growth rates between countries from 1999 to 2019. This is followed by an in depth review of certificant distribution patterns in the United States and Canada, as well as the ratios of experienced behavior analysts to new certificants. These data highlight regions with a potential deficit of qualified supervisors. There are factors that influence different dispersal patterns, and without drilling deeper into the data we may be unable to effectively identify or influence them in order meet the specific needs of a geographic region.
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Our data and code can be accessed at our online repository: https://osf.io/hmgjt/. Additional information is available from the first author upon request.
Notes
The Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) is the governing body regulating certification requirements, continuing education, and disciplinary guidelines for its constituents, comprising of registered behavioral technicians (RBTs), board certified assistant behavior analysts (BCaBAs), board certified behavior analysts (BCBA), and doctoral-level board certified behavior analysts (BCBA-D). BACB certificants refers to all in this group except RBTs.
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Deochand, N., Lanovaz, M.J. & Costello, M.S. Assessing Growth of BACB Certificants (1999–2019). Perspect Behav Sci 47, 251–282 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-023-00370-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-023-00370-5