Miami-Dade County is home to one of the most internationally diverse professional populations in the United States. Haitian-American professionals with degrees from institutions in Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haïtien. Brazilian therapists and educators who studied in São Paulo or Rio. Caribbean professionals from Jamaica, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Cameroonian professionals with degrees from rigorous university systems. All of them — and many others — carry legitimate academic credentials that do not translate directly into US professional licensure.
The field of Applied Behavior Analysis has a certification system that works differently from most licensed professions in the United States. It is administered by the BACB — the Behavior Analyst Certification Board — and it does not require a US-issued degree. Your foreign degree is not an automatic barrier. In many cases, it is precisely the foundation that qualifies you.
This guide explains the path: what the three BACB certifications are, which one you can pursue immediately regardless of degree status, whether your foreign education qualifies for advanced certification, what credential evaluation services in Miami-Dade can do for you, and what the realistic timeline looks like from where you are today.
The three BACB certifications — and where you fit
The BACB administers three active certifications relevant to working professionals:
RBT — Registered Behavior Technician
The entry point into the ABA field. RBTs work one-on-one with children with autism and other developmental diagnoses, implementing therapy programs designed by a BCBA. The role is direct-contact, clinical, and data-driven.
2026 requirements for RBT certification:
- 18 years of age or older
- High school diploma or equivalent — your university degree satisfies this requirement
- Complete 40 hours of BACB-approved training under the 2026 RBT 2.0 requirements (the training certificate must include specific BACB-mandated language)
- Complete the Competency Assessment with a certified BCBA
- Pass the RBT exam ($45 USD, approximately 90 minutes, 85 questions)
There is no degree requirement for RBT certification. Whether you have a high school diploma or a master’s degree from a university in Lagos or Brasília, the entry path is identical. What your degree does is demonstrate intellectual capacity, academic discipline, and conceptual preparation that makes you a stronger candidate — it is an asset, not a credential in competition with the BACB system.
Realistic time from zero to RBT certification: 6 to 12 weeks.
BCaBA — Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Mid-level certification requiring a bachelor’s degree (foreign degrees accepted with credential evaluation), specific coursework in behavior analysis, and 1,300 supervised hours.
BCBA — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
The supervisory level. BCBAs design programs, supervise RBTs, conduct functional behavior assessments, and hold clinical responsibility for cases. Foreign master’s degrees are accepted by the BACB if they meet content requirements at time of application. In Miami-Dade, BCBAs with international backgrounds and multilingual capability have a direct market advantage: the families receiving ABA services represent over 80 nationalities.
2026 BCBA requirements: master’s degree in a qualifying field, 315 hours of behavior-analytic coursework under the Pathway 2 Course Attestation system, 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, and a passing score on the BCBA exam ($125 USD).
Does my foreign degree count?
The BACB’s official position, published in their international FAQ, is direct: the fact that you earned your degree outside an authorized country does not automatically disqualify you if you now reside in an authorized country like the United States. If your degree meets the content requirements in effect at the time of your application, it likely qualifies.
In practical terms:
For BCBA: The BACB accepts foreign master’s degrees if the program content is equivalent to qualifying fields — psychology, education, behavior analysis, clinical social work, and related disciplines. The first step is a credential evaluation from a recognized service that translates your academic record into a US equivalent and confirms your degree level.
For BCaBA: Same process — credential evaluation of your bachelor’s degree to confirm equivalence to a US bachelor’s degree.
Required documents for credential evaluation:
- Your original diploma — in original or notarized certified copy
- Official complete academic transcript with grades, sealed and signed by the institution
- Official English translation of all documents
- In some cases: course-by-course description of your program to verify subject matter
[Josef Silny & Associates](https://jsilny.org/) (jsilny.org) is the credential evaluation firm most widely used and recognized in Miami-Dade for international professionals. They are based in Coral Gables and have extensive experience with degrees from Haiti, Brazil, Jamaica, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, and across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. WES (World Education Services) is also widely accepted. Both are NACES members. Cost: approximately $150–$300 USD depending on evaluation type. Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks once all documents are received.
English language requirements for US master’s programs:
If your credential evaluation determines you need to complete a master’s degree in ABA at a US institution, most programs require TOEFL or IELTS scores demonstrating English proficiency (typically 80+ on TOEFL iBT for regular admission). If you completed your prior degree at an institution where all instruction was in English, many programs waive this requirement. Check each program’s specific requirements before applying.
What the BACB does not accept for BCBA: degrees from non-university institutions, unaccredited programs, or coursework completed outside an accredited university after July 1, 2023. If you have questions about your specific institution, the BACB offers a pre-application review before formal submission.
The typical path for an internationally trained professional in Miami
Stage 1 — RBT certification (months 1 to 3)
Complete the 40-hour RBT 2.0 training, pass the Competency Assessment with a BCBA, and pass the RBT exam. You can begin working as an RBT under supervision while pursuing the steps below. Average RBT compensation in Miami-Dade: $18 to $26 per hour depending on experience and employer.
Stage 2 — Accumulate supervised hours (months 3 to 24+)
Work as an RBT while accumulating supervised experience hours. These hours can count toward BCBA requirements if your supervisor documents them correctly from day one. This is a critical point: many professionals do not request formal BACB documentation at the start and cannot apply the hours later. Establish this with your supervisor before your first session.
Stage 3 — Credential evaluation and degree decision (months 6 to 12)
Submit your diploma, complete academic transcript, and course descriptions to Josef Silny & Associates or WES. Based on the result, determine whether your foreign master’s degree can serve as the basis for BCBA certification (with additional coursework) or whether you need to complete a new master’s degree in ABA in the US. If a new master’s is required, prepare for TOEFL or IELTS in parallel. Florida programs available online and in-person include Florida International University, University of Florida, and Florida Institute of Technology.
Stage 4 — BCBA coursework (1 to 2 years)
Complete the 315 required coursework hours under Pathway 2. If you enroll in an accredited ABA master’s program, this coursework is completed as part of the program. If your existing master’s degree is eligible, you can complete coursework independently at universities that offer individual courses meeting BACB content requirements.
Stage 5 — BCBA supervision and exam (2 to 3 years from start)
Complete 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours under a certified BCBA and pass the BCBA exam. In Miami-Dade, Spectrum Analytics offers BCBA supervision for candidates who meet fieldwork requirements — contact our team for details.
The Florida advantage most professionals don’t know about
Florida is one of eleven US states without a standalone behavior analyst licensure law. In most states, BCBAs need both BACB certification and a separate state license to practice. In Florida, BACB certification is sufficient. There is no Florida behavior analyst licensing board to navigate.
For an internationally trained professional, this eliminates a significant bureaucratic layer. In states like Illinois, Texas, or New York, a professional with a foreign degree would need to satisfy both BACB requirements and state licensing board requirements, which may have their own international credential review processes. In Florida, if you have BACB certification, you can practice.
Important note: individual employers and insurance payers may have their own additional requirements. Always verify with your specific employer and the insurance plans you will bill.
The language question
The RBT, BCaBA, and BCBA exams are administered in English. There is currently no non-English version of any BACB exam. Functional competency in technical English — particularly behavior analysis terminology — is required to pass.
However, daily work as an RBT in Miami-Dade frequently involves languages other than English. Families receiving ABA services speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, and many other languages. If you are multilingual, this is not a soft credential — it is a directly clinically relevant capability that increases your value to families and to employers in this market.
For exam preparation, Spectrum Analytics offers RBT study materials through our preparation platform at rbt.spectrumanalytics.org, including practice exams and study content organized by BACB domain areas.
Frequently asked questions
Does the BACB accept degrees from Haiti, Brazil, Jamaica, Nigeria, or other non-Latin American countries?
Yes, in principle. The BACB accepts degrees from any country as long as the degree meets their content requirements at the time of application and you reside in an authorized country. The credential evaluation process determines equivalence. Josef Silny & Associates in Coral Gables has specific experience with Haitian, Brazilian, Caribbean, and African university systems.
My degree is in a field adjacent to psychology — nursing, sociology, special education, public health. Does it qualify?
It depends on the specific field and the content of your degree. Psychology, education, special education, social work, and related fields are explicitly listed by the BACB as qualifying fields. Nursing and public health are less commonly the primary basis for BCBA eligibility but may qualify in specific cases. The pre-application review available through the BACB is the definitive way to check your specific situation before committing to the process.
Can I work as an RBT while my credential evaluation is in process?
Yes. RBT certification has no degree requirement. You can obtain RBT certification and begin working immediately while your credential evaluation for BCaBA or BCBA is underway.
How long does the full process take from RBT to BCBA?
For a professional with an eligible foreign master’s degree who needs to complete BCBA coursework in the US: typically 3 to 5 years from starting as an RBT to obtaining BCBA certification. For those who need to complete a new US master’s degree: 5 to 7 years. The variation depends primarily on the coursework path, the number of supervised hours accumulated, and exam scheduling.
Is there a deadline for any particular BCBA pathway?
Yes, and it is urgent. Pathways 3 and 4 for BCBA certification will be discontinued on January 1, 2027. If you believe you may qualify under those pathways (university faculty or postdoctoral experience), consult the BACB before that date. After January 2027, Pathway 2 will be the primary available path for most applicants.
How Spectrum Analytics can support you
Spectrum Analytics is a BCBA-led ABA practice based in Coconut Grove, Miami, directed by Yilan Fernandez, BCBA. Our practice serves Miami-Dade’s diverse community — and we actively support the professional development of internationally trained clinicians who want to enter the ABA field.
Certified RBT training: our 40-hour training program meets the BACB’s 2026 RBT 2.0 requirements. The certificate includes the BACB-mandated language required for certification applications. Available in English and Spanish. Access at learn.spectrumclinical.ai.
[RBT Competency Assessment ($249)](/get-started): conducted by our certified BCBA, covering all domains required by the BACB. Available in-person in Miami-Dade or remotely for candidates outside the area.
BCBA supervision for fieldwork candidates: if you are accumulating supervised hours toward BCBA certification, contact our clinical team to discuss structured supervision options.
RBT positions: if you are a certified bilingual RBT seeking employment in Miami-Dade, visit our careers page. We prioritize candidates with prior training in behavioral sciences or related fields.
Also available in Spanish: this guide is published in Spanish for professionals whose primary language is Spanish.