Certifynd ABA

Virginia

Mandatory Licensing

Virginia enacted behavior analyst licensure in 2012 under the Board of Medicine. Applicants must hold current BCBA or BCaBA certification from BACB. Biennial renewal in birth month of odd-numbered years. CE follows BACB requirements plus 1 hour human trafficking (2024-2025 cycles). Four pathways: first-time licensure, endorsement, reactivation, reinstatement.

Quick Reference

Licensing Status
Mandatory
Primary License Type
Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
Education Required
Master's Degree (via BACB)
Estimated Cost
$130 LBA initial
Renewal Cycle
Biennial (birth month odd years)
BACB Required
Yes
Online Verification
Available
Important Deadline:Birth month in odd-numbered years

Licensing Board

Virginia Board of Medicine - Department of Health Professions

License Verification

Online verification available

BACB Certification

BACB certification required

Available License Types

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
Assistant Behavior Analyst

Detailed Requirements

Education Requirements

LBA: BCBA or BCBA-D certification (master's degree pathway). Assistant: BCaBA certification (bachelor's degree pathway). Must meet all BACB qualification requirements.

Minimum 1,500 hours supervised experience verified through BACB certification. Supervision must be by qualified BCBA.

Must pass BACB certification exam (BCBA or BCaBA). No additional state exam required.

Biennial renewal in birth month of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.). LBA renewal: $135 active, $70 inactive. Assistant renewal: $70 active, $35 inactive. Must maintain BACB certification. 32 CE hours for LBA (20 for assistant), including 4 hours ethics. Human trafficking training (1 hour) required for 2024-2025 cycles. Late renewal within one cycle: $50 (LBA), $30 (assistant).

LBA Initial: $130. Assistant Initial: $70. Late renewal: $50 (LBA), $30 (assistant). Reinstatement (2+ years lapsed): $180 (LBA), $90 (assistant). Duplicate license: $5.

BACB certification required. Must hold current BCBA or BCBA-D for LBA license, BCaBA for assistant license. BACB must send credential verification directly to Board. CE requirements follow BACB standards (32 hours for LBA, 20 for assistant) with 4 hours ethics mandatory.

Virginia uses birth month renewal cycle (renew in your birth month of odd-numbered years) - unique scheduling approach. Human trafficking CE (1 hour) added for 2024-2025 renewal cycles per Board action October 2023. Applications exclusively online. NPDB Self-Query required. Four licensure pathways: first-time, endorsement, reactivation, reinstatement. 2021 had temporarily reduced fees. Contact: (804) 367-4400, ba-medbd@dhp.virginia.gov.

2012: Virginia enacted behavior analyst licensure law. October 2023: Board added 1 hour human trafficking CE requirement for 2024-2025 renewal cycles. December 2025: Regulation 18VAC85-150-60 amended. January 2026: BACB VCS system ending, replaced by course-by-course review.

Additional Information

Virginia's birth month renewal cycle is unique - you renew in your birth month during odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.). Reasonable fees: $130 initial, $135 biennial renewal for LBA. Human trafficking training (1 hour) added as CE requirement for 2024-2025 cycles - Board took action October 2023. 2021 saw temporary fee reductions. Applications are online only through DHP. Early adopter state (2012).

Manage Your Virginia License with CertifyndABA

Track your license renewal dates, showcase your credentials, and connect with employers in Virginia.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference purposes. Requirements may change. Always verify current requirements with the official Virginia Board of Medicine - Department of Health Professions. Last updated: Jan 20, 2026.