Rules Chapter 2

A.  A licensed behavior analyst is authorized to engage in the practice of applied behavioral analysis as set forth in the Practice Act and in accordance with the board’s rules. A licensed behavior analyst and/or a state certified assistant behavior analyst possess property rights.

B.  Behavior analysis excludes psychological testing, neuropsychology, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and mental health counseling or academic teaching by college or university staff.

C.  It is prohibited for an individual to hold themselves out as a licensed behavior analyst, a state certified assistant behavior analyst, or a registered line technician unless licensed, state certified, or registered in accordance with the statutes.

D.  Licensed behavior analyst and anyone under their supervision shall conduct their activities in conformity with the ethical and professional standards found in Chapter 10.

E.  A licensed behavior analyst will supervise all state certified assistant behavior analysts and registered line technicians in conformity with the supervision requirements found in Chapter 5.

F.  The following persons and practices are not prohibited or restricted from engaging in the practice of applied behavior analysis:

1. 1. an individual licensed to practice psychology within the state, provided the applied behavior analysis services are within the licensed psychologist’s education, training and expertise. An individual properly registered and supervised as an assistant to a psychologist in accordance with the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part LXIII, Chapter 11. Licensed psychologists and those practicing under their extended authority are prohibited from representing themselves as behavior analysts, licensed behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, or state certified assistant behavior analysts without being duly licensed or state certified;
   2. other human service professionals who are licensed, certified, or registered by the state of Louisiana, provided such individuals are working within the scope of practice of their profession and the scope of their training and competence;
   3. a family member or guardian of a recipient of applied behavior analysis services who implements certain applied behavior analysis procedures with the recipient under the extended authority and direction of a licensee or supervised certified assistant. This individual shall not represent themselves as a behavior analyst;
   4. an individual who practices with nonhumans, including applied animal behaviorists and animal trainers;
   5. an individual who provides general applied behavior analysis services to an organization, provided those services are not for the benefit of such organization and the services do not involve direct services to individual;
   6. a matriculated college or university student, intern, or postdoctoral fellow whose activities are part of a defined behavior analysis program of study, practicum, intensive practicum, or supervised independent fieldwork. Such practice under this exemption requires the direct supervision by a licensed behavior analyst in this state or an instructor in an approved course sequence approved by the board. A student, intern, or postdoctoral fellow shall not represent himself as a behavior analyst and shall use a title that clearly indicates his training status, such as “behavior analysis student”, “behavior analysis intern”, “behavior analysis trainee”, or other title clearly indicating such training status;
   7. an individual who teaches behavior analysis or conducts behavior analytic research, provided that such teaching or research shall not involve the delivery of direct behavior analytic services. Such individual may use the title “behavior analyst” but may not represent himself as a licensed behavior analyst or a state certified assistant behavior analyst unless he holds one of those credentials issued by the board;
   8. an unlicensed individual pursuing experiential training in behavior analysis consistent with the licensure requirements and standards as required by the board, provided such experience is supervised by a licensed behavior analyst.

G.  A licensed behavior analyst is ultimately responsible and accountable for client care and outcomes under their clinical supervision.

H.  A licensed behavior analyst shall exercise sound professional judgment based upon his knowledge, skill, education, training, and experience, and shall perform only those services for which he is competent. If, during evaluation, reassessment or screening, the licensed behavior analyst finds that treatment which is outside the scope of his knowledge, experience, or expertise is needed, the licensed behavior analyst shall notify the client and provide a referral to an appropriate healthcare provider.

AUTHORITY NOTE:   Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:3704
HISTORICAL NOTE:   Promulgated by the Department of Health, Behavior Analyst Board, LR 50:1823 (December 2024).