Continuing Education Units (CEUs) serve as a cornerstone for maintaining certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). These units ensure practitioners stay abreast of the latest advancements in applied behavior analysis (ABA) while upholding ethical standards in their practice. Understanding the array of activities eligible for CEU accreditation is pivotal for BCBA professionals seeking to fulfill their continuing education requirements. In this blog post, we’ll explore the diverse avenues through which BCBAs can accrue CEUs, ranging from attending authorized events to engaging in scholarly endeavors.
- Attending Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider Events:
- BCBA professionals can earn CEUs by attending events offered by Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Providers. These providers are listed in the ACE Provider Directory, ensuring the quality and relevance of the educational content.
- For every 25 minutes of learning, practitioners can obtain 0.5 CEU, with a conversion rate of 50 minutes of learning equating to 1 CEU.
- Completing Didactic Behavior-Analytic Courses:
- BCBA professionals can earn CEUs by successfully completing behavior-analytic undergraduate or graduate courses with a passing grade. Documentation such as syllabi and transcripts from university courses are required for validation.
- Participating in Certain BACB Certification Activities:
- Certain BACB certification activities also qualify for CEU accreditation. No additional documentation is needed for BACB events, as these are directly issued into BACB accounts upon completion.
- Teaching:
- Teaching ACE events provides an opportunity for BCBA professionals to earn CEUs. Documentation from the ACE Provider demonstrating the certificant’s involvement in teaching is required.
- Similarly, teaching behavior analysis courses at accredited, degree-granting universities is eligible for CEU accreditation, supported by a letter from a department chair confirming the certificant’s teaching role.
- Scholarship:
- Publishing articles on behavior analysis in peer-reviewed journals offers a substantial avenue for earning CEUs. A PDF of the final published article serves as validation, with each publication equating to 8 CEUs.
- Additionally, writing a review or decision letter for an article submitted to a peer-reviewed journal in the field of behavior analysis is recognized as a scholarly contribution eligible for CEU accreditation.
Conclusion: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) represent an indispensable aspect of professional development for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). By engaging in a diverse array of activities such as attending ACE Provider events, completing didactic courses, participating in BACB certification activities, teaching, and contributing to scholarly endeavors, BCBAs can fulfill their CEU requirements for renewal while enhancing their expertise and staying abreast of advancements in the field of applied behavior analysis. Adhering to documentation requirements ensures compliance with renewal criteria, thereby safeguarding the integrity of BCBA certification.