Career growth in ABA therapy is more than a promotion. In fact, it’s a journey to amplify your impact on the lives of families and children with autism.
If you’re a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) who’s ready to guide programs, mentor teams, and change more lives, then it’s time to explore the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) path. At Bierman Autism Centers, we pair in-depth clinical development with a supportive, play-based culture where children with autism progress every day.
Curious what your next step could look like? This guide is for you! Learn about your career growth in ABA therapy with job-advancing opportunities and resources at Bierman Autism Centers.
First, let’s dive into the ins-and-outs of the RBT to BCBA career path.
What Does Career Growth in ABA Therapy Look Like?
The RBT to BCBA career path looks different for everyone. After all, career growth in ABA therapy offers continuous professional development opportunities to advance your specialization and leadership. However, as a generalization, here is what you can expect career growth to look like for ABA therapists.
Begin as an RBT
For starters, the easiest path to becoming an ABA therapist is to begin as an RBT. Most programs only require 40-hours of training to fill this entry-level position. To become an RBT, you’ll receive hands-on training and work under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This role provides foundational experience in implementing early intervention plans.
Advance to BCBA Certification
Next, aspiring ABA therapists can pursue BCBA certification. First, you will need a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field. After completing your degree, you’ll have to pass the BCBA certification exam. This qualification allows you to design and oversee behavior intervention plans, taking on more supervisory roles.
Path to Advanced Leadership
Finally, with experience, you can specialize in areas such as early intervention, school-based services, or organizational behavior management. Additionally, leadership roles like Clinical Director or Regional Director become attainable, where you’ll manage teams and influence the direction of ABA services.
Job Outlook and Career Opportunities for ABA Therapists
The demand for ABA professionals is steadily on the rise, with many US states experiencing a shortage in ABA therapists. For example, studies show an increasing need for autism therapy services in New Jersey, noting that the state experienced a notable shift in demand for behavior analysts, with job postings rising from 3,027 in 2022 to 5,154 in 2024.
Additionally, North Carolina has seen a drastic uptick in available BCBA positions, with 2.7 job openings for every clinician. According to the latest BACB and Lightcast report, North Carolina postings for BCBA roles increased by 77% year over year, with over 4,200 open BCBA positions (compared to the roughly 1,600 filled positions). There is a clear need for ABA therapists in the region.
Furthermore, postings for BCBAs have rapidly grown since 2010, reflecting a significant increase in the need for qualified RBTs, BCBAs, and other behavior professionals.
ABA therapists work in various settings around the nation, including specialized centers like Bierman Autism Centers, schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practices. This diversity allows you to choose a work environment that aligns with your interests and career goals.
RBT to BCBA Career Path Playbook: From Mentorship to Fieldwork and Beyond
Progressing from RBT to BCBA requires education, certification, mentorship, clinical support, and clinical development. Through dedicated mentorship programs, paired with documented fieldwork, RBTs interested in BCBA certification will have a clear runway into advanced practice.
First, let’s break down the RBT’s role, and then we will discuss how to progress to BCBA.
RBT Role: How Registered Behavior Technicians Drive Daily Gains
Registered Behavior Technicians are the heartbeat of 1:1 therapy sessions. Guided by a BCBA’s tailored plan, RBTs run teaching trials, embed learning into play for children with autism, and collect data that informs every next step.
RBTs blend positive-reinforcement teaching with evidence-based protocols. In a single session, you may shape early language and communication for young children with autism, encourage turn-taking during playtime, or practice common classroom routines like raising your hand or putting objects in a cubby.
Ultimately, RBTs help children thrive in a supportive, play-based environment that makes learning both meaningful and fun.
BCBA Role: Clinical Leadership That Shapes Learning Outcomes
The primary role of a BCBA is to create tailored strategies and techniques that will help children with level 1, 2, and 3 autism find excitement and confidence in daily life.
Think of it like this: Board Certified Behavior Analysts transform data into strategy. BCBAs create clarity for families, translating assessment data into goals, measuring growth, celebrating milestones, and coaching caregivers on daily routines.
With weekly family integration protocols, BCBA guidance helps extend learning at home, strengthening consistency and accelerating skill development. The result is more independent participation in community and classroom settings and more moments that matter for children and their families.
From RBT to BCBA at Bierman: A Supported, Step-by-Step Path
At Bierman Autism Centers, we want to see your ABA therapy career growth soar to new heights. Our RBT-to-BCBA pathway includes education, supervised fieldwork, and exam preparation. While requirements evolve, the broad steps below reflect what aspiring BCBAs commonly pursue. Here’s what you can expect:
- Build your clinical foundation as an RBT. Master data collection, treatment integrity, and play-based teaching. Our RBT Training Program focuses on practical skills and mentorship inside a center-based, 1:1 model. In 2024, we had a 95% RBT exam pass rate.
- Enroll in a BACB-approved master’s program. Choose an ABA, psychology, or education program aligned to your schedule and learning style.
- Gain supervised fieldwork in our centers. Pair your graduate study with case experiences under BCBA supervision. You’ll progress from implementing goals to contributing to assessment and treatment planning, with documented competencies throughout.
- Prepare for the BCBA exam strategically. Apply what you learn to real cases, join Bierman BCBA exam prep study groups, and practice case conceptualization with mentor feedback. A center-based caseload exposes you to diverse programs and data patterns. Employees who accrued at least 50% of their hours at Biermen saw a 100% pass rate on the BCBA exam.
- Transition into BCBA practice with support. As you pass the exam, we’ll help you step into clinical leadership and continue growing on our clinical ladder. Discover CEU certification courses and other valuable resources through Bierman so your career advances alongside the impact you create.
Timeline notes: Programs vary by school and schedule. Many professionals continue full-time clinical work while completing graduate study and supervised fieldwork across multiple semesters. Because certification rules can change, always verify current requirements on the official certification board website.
Career growth in ABA therapy at Bierman: Supervision, Hours, and Exam prep
Your supervisors will coach you through case analysis, ethics, and data-driven decision-making, including all the skills that matter on exam day and even more in daily practice.
You’ll gain experience across early communication, self-advocacy, school readiness, and community participation. That breadth builds confidence and ensures you’re learning how to design programs that deliver life skills that help children succeed.
What Bierman Autism Centers Offers Employees Nationwide
At Bierman, we’re structured to help you advance your ABA therapy career growth. You’ll collaborate daily with BCBAs and other behavior technicians, and you’ll practice within sensory-smart spaces designed for regulation and engagement. Plus, our 30+ centers across 7 states create flexibility to build your career without losing momentum if life takes you to a new city.
- Clinical structure you can depend on: 1:1 therapist-to-child ratio, 40-hour/week ABA schedules, and a blend of discrete trial training and natural environment teaching.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration: Daily alignment with BCBAs, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists to create cohesive care plans.
- Mentorship at every stage: Clear supervision, feedback cycles, and leadership pathways that promote steady, supported growth.
- Family integration: Weekly protocols that extend learning into the home, helping children generalize skills.
- Nationwide opportunity: A growing network with a track record of outcomes (300+ graduations and 78,000+ goals mastered) so your work fuels real progress and possibilities!
To understand the leadership responsibilities you’re stepping into, review our inside look at what BCBAs do at Bierman. And if you’re just beginning, see how our RBT training program sets a strong clinical foundation from day one.
Take the Next Step: Grow from RBT to BCBA at Bierman
As you can see, there are so many opportunities and paths you can take to pursue your passion to help children with autism.
If you’re looking for real career growth in ABA therapy through valuable mentorship, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a proven framework for outcomes, Bierman Autism Centers is ready to help you advance from RBT to BCBA. Start the conversation and discover the role that fits your strengths and goals by visiting Career Paths at Bierman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specific undergraduate major to pursue a BCBA path?
Graduate programs accept a range of bachelor’s degrees. While psychology, education, and related fields are common, admissions committees look for strong academic preparation, relevant experience, and a clear purpose statement that explains your commitment to behavior analysis and helping families.
What is the best way to document supervised fieldwork hours efficiently?
Use a consistent, week-by-week routine: track your activities, goals addressed, and supervisor feedback the same day sessions occur. Many clinicians keep an organized e-portfolio with dated logs, signed supervision forms, and reflections that connect coursework to casework. This approach simplifies verification and exam preparation.
How does center-based experience compare to home-based work for aspiring BCBAs?
Both can be valuable, but center-based experience like that at Bierman Autism Centers offers standardized environments, immediate access to supervisors, and exposure to multidisciplinary perspectives. This consistency can make it easier to build and demonstrate competencies across diverse cases while maintaining high treatment fidelity.
If I relocate, can I continue progressing toward BCBA at another Bierman center?
Often yes. With a multi-state footprint, our goal is to maintain continuity of mentorship and documentation when team members transfer. Specific arrangements depend on timing, caseloads, and supervision availability, so connect with our clinical leadership and People team early to plan a smooth transition.
