The 9 BCBA domains, explained

Inside this domain

• Identify the goals of behavior analysis as a science (i.e., description, prediction, control).
• Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism).
• Explain behavior from the perspective of radical behaviorism.
• Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
• and 1 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Identify and distinguish among behavior, response, and response class.
• Identify and distinguish between stimulus and stimulus class.
• Identify and distinguish between respondent and operant conditioning.
• Identify and distinguish between positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.
• and 20 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Create operational definitions of behavior.
• Distinguish among direct, indirect, and product measures of behavior.
• Measure occurrence.
• Measure temporal dimensions of behavior (e.g., duration, latency, interresponse time).
• and 8 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Distinguish between dependent and independent variables.
• Distinguish between internal and external validity.
• Identify threats to internal validity (e.g., history, maturation).
• Identify the defining features of single-case experimental designs (e.g., individuals serve as their own controls, repeated measures, prediction, verification, replication).
• and 5 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics codes for BACB certificants (e.g., benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity).
• Identify the risks to oneself, others, and the profession as a result of engaging in unethical behavior.
• Develop and maintain competence by engaging in professional development activities (e.g., read literature, seek consultation, establish mentors).
• Identify and comply with requirements for collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing confidential information.
• and 8 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Identify relevant sources of information in records (e.g., educational, medical, historical) at the outset of the case.
• Identify and integrate relevant cultural variables in the assessment process.
• Design and evaluate assessments of relevant skill strengths and areas of need.
• Design and evaluate preference assessments.
• and 4 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Design and evaluate positive and negative reinforcement procedures.
• Design and evaluate differential reinforcement (e.g., DRA, DRO, DRL, DRH) procedures with and without extinction.
• Design and evaluate time-based reinforcement (e.g., fixed-time) schedules.
• Identify procedures to establish and use conditioned reinforcers (e.g., token economies).
• and 15 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Develop intervention goals in observable and measurable terms.
• Identify and recommend interventions based on assessment results, scientific evidence, client preferences, and contextual fit (e.g., expertise required for implementation, cultural variables, environmental resources).
• Select socially valid alternative behavior to be established or increased when a target behavior is to be decreased.
• Plan for and attempt to mitigate possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.
• and 4 more task statements

Inside this domain

• Identify the benefits of using behavior-analytic supervision (e.g., improved client outcomes, improved staff performance and retention).
• Identify and apply strategies for establishing effective supervisory relationships (e.g., executing supervisor-supervisee contracts, establishing clear expectations, giving and accepting feedback).
• Identify and implement methods that promote equity in supervision practices.
• Select supervision goals based on an assessment of the supervisee's skills, cultural variables, and the environment.
• and 3 more task statements