Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee
Licenses and regulates qualified candidates to practice applied behavior analysis in Tennessee.About the Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee
The Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee was created in 2014 by an act of the State Legislature. Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring those who practice applied behavior analysis within this state be qualified. The Committee awards licenses to qualified candidates who have met the qualifications for licensure as set out in the Practice Act . The Committee interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Committee is responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violations.
The Committee consists of five members appointed by the governor, three of which shall be licensed behavior analysts, one assistant behavior analyst and one consumer member of the public. The law sets forth procedures for obtaining and maintaining licensure for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. It adds the chair of the committee as an ex-officio voting member to the Board of Examiners in Psychology. The board meets quarterly for regular meetings and as needed for special or called meetings. A quorum of three members is required to conduct business. Meetings are open to the public.
The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Committee by issuing licenses. Renewal notices are mailed from Committee’s administrative office at least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. Licensees are responsible for renewing their license on time and keeping the Committee apprised of current information. It is a violation of the law and of the Committee’s rules to practice on an expired license.
Licensure Scam Alert
The Department of Health has been made aware that some licensees of a few different health licensure boards have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from those licensee’s licensing boards. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require payment of fines. Some of them have been accompanied by fraudulent letters claiming to suspend the license. Please note:
- Phone calls may “spoof” or appear to be from the boards’ number;
- If you need to verify the identity of a TN board investigator, call (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
- The health-related board investigators will never demand that you provide personally identifying information, such as a social security number, date of birth, or bank or credit card account numbers over the phone;
- These types of licensing scams are a problem nationwide.
If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:
- Report the communication to the Internet Crime Complaint Center Internet Crime Complaint Center at using the code "TDHHPBSCAM2026". This will allow law enforcement to link these scams for improved investigation.
- Complainants can alternatively call the Fusion Center Tipline (800TBIFIND) or submit a tip online at TBI but the IC3 is preferred.
· Notify the Department of Health at (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov
Contact
Call 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide
Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Filing Complaints
Board Websites & Meeting Playlists
Click the alphabetical menu below to visit the websites of individual Health Professional Boards
Click the alphabetical menu below to view recorded meetings of Tennessee Health Professional Boards
Applying for Licensure
Effective immediately, anyone coming in-person to complete an application, speak to an administrator, or paying a fee will be required to have an appointment. This will ensure excellent customer service. To schedule an appointment please email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov. An administrator will contact you with a date and time.
When applying, please DO NOT email applications to the administrative office. All applications must be submitted online through your LARS account or received as an original document in our office. When mailing or hand delivering your application to the cash office please send to: Applied Behavior Analyst Committee, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville TN 37243.
- Application for Licensure as a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Paper Application for Licensure as a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Declaration of Citizenship (PH-4183)
- Declaration of Eligibility for Expedited Licensure Process for a Military Member (PH-4279)
- Declaration of Eligibility for Expedited Licensure Process for a Spouse of Military Member (PH-4280)
- Name and Address Change Request (PH-3619)
- Reinstatement Application (PH-4049)
- Retirement Affidavit
- Criminal Background Check Instructions
Meetings, Members, & Minutes
Meeting Schedule
Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes page.
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 665 Mainstream Drive, MetroCenter.
Members
| Member Name | Title | Representation | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Nesbitt-Decker, BCBA | Member | Behavior Analyst | 6/30/2027 |
| Vacant | |||
| Amanda Spiess, BCBA | Chair | Behavior Analyst | 6/30/2023 |
| Catherine Terry | Member | Consumer | 6/30/2022 |
| Kari White, BCBA | Member | Behavior Analyst | 6/30/2026 |
Meeting Minutes
Continuing Education
Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site.
Requirements
The Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee requires licensees to acquire continuing education according to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board requirements Rules and Regulations of the Committee.
BCBA Continuing Education Requirements
- 2-Year Cycle: 32 CEUs every 2 years (4 CEUs in ethics for all certificants; 3 CEUs in supervision for supervisors)
- BCaBA Continuing Education Requirements
- 2-Year Cycle: 20 CEUs every 2 years (4 CEUs in ethics for all certificants; 3 CEUs in supervision for supervisors)
CE Broker
At this time, it is not required that licensees register for an account but the board is encouraging licensees utilize CE Broker as a tool to track required continuing education. CE Broker is the official tracking system for the Tennessee Division of Health Professional Boards. Your professional board has provided you with a free Basic Account, so you'll have their helpful continuing education tracking tools right at your fingertips.
Free Access
Within the free Basic Account, you will have access to your Course History and CE Compliance Status. This lists all of the courses which have been reported thus far and indicates whether or not you have satisfied your renewal requirements. From here, you may easily find and report any CE that might be missing. CE Broker is 100% free to use and you will never have to pay to access all of the necessary tools to renew your license!
How to activate your free CE Broker account
Activating your free Basic Account provided to you by your board is a simple 3-step process.
- Visit the CE Broker basic account webpage
- Next, enter your license number
- Track your continuing education!
Comprehensive Course Search
One of the best free tools CE Broker provides is the Course Search. You can easily find every course needed to successfully complete your license renewal, with just a few clicks! After you are finished with each course, educational providers will report the credits directly into CE Broker for you - but you should always retain a copy of the certificates for your records. To find courses, visit courses.cebroker.com/search/tn and select your profession.
Helpful Support Center
CE Broker provides dedicated support 8AM- 8PM ET, Monday through Friday, with a team of experts trained on the rules and regulations of the Tennessee's Health Professional Boards. You can Reach CE Broker by phone at 877-434-6323, or click for information on the CE Broker Customer Support Team.
Other Benefits of using CE Broker
Track and know precisely how many hours you've completed and how many hours are remaining;
Available convenience features like a personalized transcript and a personal account manager;
Bring CE compliance wherever you go with the CE Broker mobile app (available for Iphone and Android).
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What are the hours of operation for the board administrators?
8am-4:30 pm central standard time.
2.How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
3. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do not know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.
4.If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.
5.If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.
Annual Summaries of Legislation
Review the following Public Chapters in their entirety on the Tennessee Secretary of State's website.
This act states that an entity responsible for an AED program is immune from civil liability for personal injury caused by maintenance or use of an AED if such conduct does not rise to the level of willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence.
This act took effect on March 28, 2019.
This act requires professionals certified or licensed under Title 63 or Title 68 to complete a suicide prevention training at least once every four years beginning January 1, 2020.
This act was signed by the governor on April 9, 2019.
This act limits the places in which one may use vapor products. The act defines vapor products and prohibits the use of such products in a number of locations including child care centers, group care homes, healthcare facilities (excluding nursing homes), residential treatment facilities, school grounds, and several other areas. Several locations have specific exceptions put forth in the statute.
This act took effect on April 17, 2019.
This act permits private businesses to adopt the Healthy Workplace policy created by TACIR, which initially only applied to government entities. However, nothing in this act creates a cause of action against an employer who does not adopt the model policy. Further, this act makes adoption of such policy permissible—not mandatory.
This act took effect April 23, 2019.
This act mandates that an agency that requires a person applying for a license to engage in an occupation, trade, or profession in this state to take an examination must provide appropriate accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any state agency that administers a required examination for licensure shall promulgate rules in regard to eligibility criteria. This act does not apply to an examination mandated and administered pursuant to federal law. This legislation was introduced to assist individuals with dyslexia.
This act took effect May 2, 2019 for the purpose of promulgating rules, and for all other purposes, takes effect July 1, 2020.
The act permits a medical professional who has a current license to practice from another state, commonwealth territory, or the District of Columbia is exempt from the licensure requirements of such boards if: (1) the medical professional is a member of the armed forces; and (2) the medical professional is engaged in the practice of the medical profession listed in 68-1-101 through a partnership with the federal Innovative Readiness Training. The respective health boards may promulgate rules for implementation.
This act took effect April 18, 2019 for the purpose of promulgating rules, and for all other purposes, takes effect July 1, 2019.
This act allows a licensed nonresidential office-based opiate treatment facility to employ or contract with a physician if: (1) the facility has a physician in the ownership structure; and (2) the employment relationship is evidenced by a written contract. The contract must contain language that does not restrict a physician from exercising independent professional medical judgement in regard to his/her patients.
This act took effect April 30, 2019.
This act creates civil liability for the unlicensed practice of psychotherapy. A provider must have a license under Title 63 in order to treat a mental health disorder and practice without a license is illegal. Several exemptions are listed in the act. The act does not expand or restrict the scope of practice for any person holding a license under title 63.
This act was goes into effect July 1, 2019.
This act permits law enforcement agencies to subpoena materials and documents pertaining to an investigation conducted by the Department of Health prior to formal disciplinary charges being filed against the provider. This bill was brought by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
This act went into effect May 22, 2019.
This act establishes a grant program to assist sheriffs required to transport persons to a hospital or treatment resource for emergency mental health transport. A sheriff may contract with one or more third parties in order to facilitate the transportation discussed above, and may reimburse such third parties with money received from the grant program. If telehealth services are offered by a hospital or treatment center, it may elect to conduct an evaluation for admission via telehealth. The department of finance and administration, the department of mental health and substance abuse, and the division of TennCare shall develop and implement the grant program.
This act is awaiting signature by the governor and will go into effect July 1, 2019.
Policies, Rules, & Statutes
Policies
Rules
Click here to view the Rules and Regulations for Licensed Behavior Analysts and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts
Statutes
Statutes are proposed and made law by the Tennessee State General Assembly (Legislature). The Board, following specific notice requirements and hearings, adopts rules. Both have the force of law and may be used in the regulation of a profession. The statutes pertaining to this Board are found at T. C. A. 63-1-101 et. seq. (Division of Health Related Boards) and T.C.A. 63-11-301 through 63-11-311.
Click Here to review the Tennessee Code Annotated. (This link will take you to a website that is not maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health).
This Page Last Updated: September 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM