Becoming a BCBA
Discover the complete steps to becoming a BCBA from an RBT in South Bay, Long Beach, Torrance, Lakewood, and Lomita. Learn required hours, supervision support, and how ABA Works guides RBTs toward successful BCBA careers.
If you’re currently exploring RBT careers in South Bay, Long Beach, Torrance, Lakewood, or Lomita, you may already be wondering what comes next. The most exciting and in-demand advancement in the ABA field is the progression from Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This career path is ideal for job seekers who want more responsibility, stronger leadership opportunities, and the ability to create long-term change for children and families.
At ABA Works, we specialize in helping Behavior Technicians and RBTs grow into confident, capable BCBAs through a structured, supportive, and clinically-led model.
Steps to Becoming a BCBA
Becoming a BCBA requires following the official pathway established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). You can review these requirements on the BACB website here:
👉 https://www.bacb.com/
In general, the path includes:
1. Earn a qualifying graduate degree
Most candidates pursue a Master’s in ABA, psychology, special education, or related fields. ABA Work’s founder and Executive Director, Lilyan W.J. Campbell, LMFT, BCBA, started her path by completing a Master in child psychology. Check out her bio to learn more about her background.
2. Complete approved ABA coursework
Degree programs must include BACB-required content hours in behavior analysis.
3. Accumulate supervised fieldwork hours
This is a major step, and it’s where choosing the right employer makes all the difference.
4. Pass the BCBA exam
After completing supervised fieldwork, candidates sit for their national board exam.
If you’re already an RBT, you’re off to a strong start—your experience in ABA settings gives you a major advantage.
Hours Needed
BCBA candidates must complete one of the following before applying for the exam:
- 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, or
- 1,500 concentrated supervised fieldwork hours
These hours must include a blend of unrestricted tasks (treatment planning, assessments, caregiver training) and restricted tasks (direct service). Working in areas like Long Beach, South Bay, Lomita, Torrance, and Lakewood provides rich opportunities for varied case experience.
Employer Support Matters
Your employer plays a critical role in your success. Not every ABA agency provides the following below, but ABA Works does provide:
- Sufficient supervision
- Quality feedback
- Leadership training
- Growth opportunities
- A stable, supportive structure.
As a matter of fact, ABA Works’ HR team often is advised by supervisor applicants that they were promised supervision hours by their previous company, but never received them. At times, BCBA candidates have already completed a high number of supervised fieldwork hours, but have not been exposed to any supervisor tasks. ABA Works does not agree with this and ensures that the BCBA trainee will have a very different experience.
When ABA Works decides to supervise a BCBA trainee, we will ensure our trajectory will expose you to a wide variety of areas, so you can become a well-rounded BCBA. For example, you will learn to:
- Conduct assessments
- Write goals and reports
- Complete evaluations
- Train Behavior Technicians through a highly systematic training system
- Collaborate with schools
- Work with adults as well as children
- Master parent training
- Do group parent training
- Provide social skills groups
- Provide training
- Learn to supervise homebased, school-based, and clinic-based cases
- Co-present at conferences with the founder Lilyan W.J. Campbell, who frequently speaks at conferences (check out here for more info)
Glassdoor reviews from ABA Works Behavior Technicians consistently highlight how supported they feel. One BT shared that they appreciate the strong mentorship and hands-on training that make it easy to grow in the field, while another praised the positive culture and supervisors who truly care about helping staff advance.
This kind of real support is essential when you’re working toward BCBA certification—and it’s exactly what ABA Works is known for.
How ABA Works Supports RBT-to-BCBA Career Growth
ABA Works, serving families across South Bay, Torrance, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Lomita, has a uniquely structured and clinically-led development model for RBTs who want to become BCBAs.
Here’s how we help you succeed:
⭐ A Systematic Career Trajectory
From your first day as a Behavior Technician, we measure your progress through individualized checklists, performance evaluations, and skill-based milestones.
⭐ Mastery-Based Growth
You’re never thrown into advanced tasks before you’re ready.
We gradually increase exposure to responsibilities only after you demonstrate mastery, ensuring confidence and competence. A major benefit for all of our Behavior Technicians and their trajectory to growth is our clinic in Lomita. Our clinic features a major outside space and inside space, where most of our learners come for ABA treatment. Supervisors are always present, so in the blink of an eye, your questions are answered, and support is right there for you.
⭐ Intensified Support When Needed
Before assigning new tasks, we offer additional support, shadowing, coaching sessions, and targeted BCBA supervision.
⭐ University Partnerships
ABA Works maintains relationships with universities, providing employees with a 10% tuition discount when referred by us—making graduate school more affordable.
⭐ Expert BCBA Supervision (over 25 Years of Experience)
Our BCBA supervisors bring decades of expertise. You receive:
- Individual supervision
- Group supervision
- Performance-based feedback
- Integrated bonuses for skill growth
This ensures you’re not only prepared for BCBA tasks—but set up for long-term success.
⭐ Advancement After BCBA Certification
When you become a BCBA at ABA Works, multiple opportunities open:
- Lead BCBA
- Program Manager
- Clinical Supervisor
- Director-level roles
You grow with us—not just within a role, but into a lifelong career.
ABA Works’ Supervision Model
Our supervision model is one of the most comprehensive in Los Angeles County, designed specifically to support job seekers who want mentorship, growth, and a clear professional path.
Key elements include:
- Personalized competency tracking
- Exposure to diverse cases across South Bay, Torrance, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Lomita
- Supportive mentorship using evidence-based coaching
- A team culture grounded in learning and collaboration
This is what makes ABA Works a top choice for RBTs pursuing BCBA certification.
Learn more about our supportive model here:
👉 https://aba-works.com/
Ready to Grow from RBT to BCBA?
If you’re in South Bay, Long Beach, Lakewood, Lomita, or Torrance and want to transform your RBT career into a BCBA leadership path, ABA Works is ready to guide you every step of the way. Our clinically-led team, structured supervision model, and meaningful growth opportunities make us the ideal place to build your future in ABA.
Check out this link to learn more about careers at ABA Works.