Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group – 2025 SIG Update
By Michael Weinberg
The Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis (PIBA) SIG is a special interest group that focuses on all areas of specialization for behavior analyst practitioners. This SIG developed a model licensing act for behavior analysts in 2007. The BACB’s model licensing act also drew heavily from the PIBA SIG’s model act to meet the needs and concerns of BCBA and BCaBA practitioners. We currently have a membership of 75 and also maintain a yahoo list-serve for communication among members.
This SIG provides a means of discussion, support and potential for action if warranted among ABAI members. The SIG collaborates with other SIGs and boards of ABAI or external organizations as individual members on legal and ethical issues pertaining to the practice of behavior analysis. We promote and support means of ensuring the continued ability for behavior analysts to practice as independent practitioners. The SIG provides a means of communicating about current trends and concerns pertaining to the practice of behavior analysis, licensing matters, legislation issues, insurance regulations and billing practices and updates, and efforts to place barriers for such practice by outside organizations or individuals. We help support and promote the ability for behavior analysts to be on insurance panels to provide services to family members with autism and other areas of application of behavior analytic methods.
There are currently over 32 states which have licensure laws in place or about to be in place for the practice of behavior analysis and now all 50 states as of this report with “autism insurance mandate” laws.
Via a Facebook page, the SIG provides a platform for discussion and communication amongst its members.
As the field of applied behavior analysis continues to grow and change, the SIG provides a place for practitioners to share information and discuss opportunities and strategies to promote the practice of behavior analysis as well as expansion of insurance coverage to areas outside of autism. The ongoing efforts by the BACB to restrict offering of certification outside the U.S., and the creation of new behavior analyst credentialing organizations present new challenges as well as opportunities for practitioners, and those who own and operate ABA practice organizations.
The PIBA SIG promotes the science of behavior, and evidence-based practices, and sees the need to ensure this linkage continues.
We are seeking new members and involvement for the coming year. We welcome new members and hope to meet with those interested at the annual convention and other ABAI conventions.
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