Chapter 4783 | Behavior Analysts

Section 4783.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Certified Ohio behavior analyst" means an individual holding a current, valid certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) "Practice of applied behavior analysis" means the design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior and includes the following:

(a) The empirical identification of functional relations between behavior and environmental factors, known as functional assessment and analysis;

(b) Interventions based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of behavior and the environment;

(c) Utilization of contextual factors, motivating operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcement, and other consequences to help people develop new behaviors, increase or decrease existing behaviors, and emit behaviors under specific environmental conditions.

(2) "Practice of applied behavior analysis" does not include psychological testing, diagnosis of a mental or physical disorder, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and long-term counseling as treatment modalities.

Section 4783.02 | Certificate required; applicability of chapter.

• Effective: September 29, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, no person shall do either of the following:

(1) Engage in the practice of applied behavior analysis in this state without holding a certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) Hold the person's self out to be a certified Ohio behavior analyst unless the person holds a certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) This chapter does not apply to any of the following:

(1) An individual licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code to practice psychology, if the practice of applied behavior analysis engaged in by the licensed psychologist is within the licensed psychologist's education, training, and experience;

(2) An individual licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code to practice counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, if the practice of applied behavior analysis engaged in by the licensed professional counselor, licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist is within the licensee's education, training, and experience;

(3) An individual acting under the authority and direction of an individual described in division (B)(1) or (2) of this section;

(4) An individual practicing applied behavior analysis who is supervised by a certified Ohio behavior analyst and acting under the authority and direction of that certified Ohio behavior analyst;

(5) The delivery of interventions by a direct care provider or family member to implement components of an applied behavior analysis treatment plan.

(6) A behavior analyst who practices with nonhuman or nonpatient clients or consumers, including applied animal behaviorists and practitioners of organizational behavior management;

(7) A licensed professional authorized to practice in this state who, in the offering or rendering of services, does not represent oneself in any printed materials or verbally by incorporating the term "applied behavior analyst," if the services of the licensed professional are within the scope of practice of the licensing law governing the licensed professional and the services performed are commensurate with the licensed professional's education, training, and experience;

(8) A matriculated graduate student or postdoctoral trainee whose activities are part of a defined program of study or professional training;

(9) An individual employed by the department of developmental disabilities, a county board of developmental disabilities, or a council of government consisting of county boards of developmental disabilities, when the individual is acting in the scope of that employment;

(10) A professional employed in a school or other setting that falls under the regulation of the state board of education when the professional is acting within the scope of that employment.

(C) For purposes of division (B)(3) or (4) of this section, an individual is not subject to this chapter only if the licensed psychologist, the licensed professional counselor, the licensed professional clinical counselor, the licensed social worker, the licensed marriage and family therapist, or the certified Ohio behavior analyst under whose authority and direction the individual is acting pursuant to division (B)(3) or (4) of this section signs an attestation stating that the licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or certified Ohio behavior analyst is responsible for the care provided by the individual.

Section 4783.03 | Enforcement.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state board of psychology shall administer and enforce this chapter. The board shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing all of the following:

(1) Procedures and requirements for applying for a certificate issued under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) Fees for issuance of a certificate;

(3) Reductions of the hours of continuing education required by section 4783.05 of the Revised Code for persons in their first certificate period.

(B) The board may adopt additional rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as the board determines are necessary to implement and enforce this chapter.

Section 4783.04 | Application for certificate; eligibility.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) An individual seeking a certificate to practice as a certified Ohio behavior analyst shall file with the state board of psychology a written application on a form prescribed and supplied by the board. To be eligible for a certificate, the individual shall do all of the following:

(1) Demonstrate that the applicant conducts the applicant's professional activities in accordance with accepted professional and ethical standards;

(2) Comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) Demonstrate an understanding of the law regarding behavioral health practice;

(4) Demonstrate current certification as a board certified behavior analyst by the behavior analyst certification board or its successor organization or demonstrate completion of equivalent requirements and passage of a psychometrically valid examination administered by a nationally accredited credentialing organization;

(5) Pay the fee established by the state board of psychology.

(B) The state board of psychology shall review all applications received under this section. The state board of psychology shall not grant a certificate to an applicant for an initial certificate unless the applicant complies with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. If the state board of psychology determines that an applicant satisfies the requirements for a certificate to practice as a certified Ohio behavior analyst, the state board of psychology shall issue the applicant a certificate.

(C) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a certified Ohio behavior analyst in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a certificate or license in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a behavior analyst in a state that does not issue that certificate or license.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:41 AM

Section 4783.05 | Duration of certification; registration; fee; continuing education.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, a certificate issued under this chapter is valid for a period of two years. On or before the thirty-first day of August of each even-numbered year, each certified Ohio behavior analyst shall do both of the following:

(a) Register with the state board of psychology on a form prescribed by the board, giving the certified Ohio behavior analyst's name, address, certificate number, the continuing education information required under division (B) of this section, and any other reasonable information as the board requires;

(b) Pay to the board secretary a biennial registration fee in an amount of one hundred fifty dollars.

(2) An individual who is issued a certificate under section 4783.04 of the Revised Code for the first time on or before the thirty-first day of August of an even-numbered year shall next be required to register on or before the thirty-first day of August of the next even-numbered year.

(B) Every two years a certified Ohio behavior analyst who wishes to renew the certified Ohio behavior analyst's certificate issued under this chapter shall produce proof of not less than twenty-three hours of continuing education, including not less than four hours in ethics, professional conduct, or cultural competency. Continuing education hours may be earned through providers of continuing education approved by the behavior analyst certification board or its successor organization or other organizations approved by the state board of psychology as providers of continuing education.

Section 4783.09 | Refusal, reprimand, suspension or revocation.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) The state board of psychology may, except as provided in division (B) of this section, refuse to issue a certificate to any applicant, may issue a reprimand, or suspend or revoke the certificate of any certified Ohio behavior analyst, on any of the following grounds:

(1) Conviction of a felony, or of any offense involving moral turpitude, in a court of this or any other state or in a federal court;

(2) Using fraud or deceit in the procurement of the certificate to practice applied behavior analysis or knowingly assisting another in the procurement of such a certificate through fraud or deceit;

(3) Accepting commissions or rebates or other forms of remuneration for referring persons to other professionals;

(4) Willful, unauthorized communication of information received in professional confidence;

(5) Being negligent in the practice of applied behavior analysis;

(6) Using any controlled substance or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs the person's ability to perform the work of a certified Ohio behavior analyst with safety to the public;

(7) Violating any rule of professional conduct promulgated by the board;

(8) Practicing in an area of applied behavior analysis for which the person is clearly untrained or incompetent;

(9) An adjudication by a court, as provided in section 5122.301 of the Revised Code, that the person is incompetent for the purpose of holding the certificate;

(10) Waiving the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers applied behavior analysis services, would otherwise be required to pay if the waiver is used as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive health care services from that provider;

(11) Advertising that the person will waive the payment of all or any part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan that covers applied behavior analysis services, would otherwise be required to pay.

(B) The board shall not refuse to issue a certificate to an applicant because of a criminal conviction unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(C) For purposes of division (A)(9) of this section, a person may have the person's certificate issued or restored only upon determination by a court that the person is competent for the purpose of holding the certificate and upon the decision by the board that the certificate be issued or restored. The board may require an examination prior to such issuance or restoration.

(D) Notwithstanding divisions (A)(10) and (11) of this section, sanctions shall not be imposed against any certificate holder who waives deductibles and copayments:

(1) In compliance with the health benefit plan that expressly allows such a practice. Waiver of the deductibles or copays shall be made only with the full knowledge and consent of the plan purchaser, payer, and third-party administrator. Such consent shall be made available to the board upon request.

(2) For professional services rendered to any other person holding a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter to the extent allowed by this chapter and the rules of the board.

(E) Except as provided in section 4783.10 of the Revised Code, before the board may deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate under this section, or otherwise discipline the holder of a certificate, written charges shall be filed with the board by the secretary and a hearing shall be had thereon in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:10 AM

Section 4783.10 | Suspension pending hearing.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

On receipt of a complaint that any of the grounds listed in division (A) of section 4783.09 of the Revised Code exist, the state board of psychology may suspend the certificate of the certified Ohio behavior analyst prior to holding a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code if it determines, based on the complaint, that an immediate threat to the public exists.

After suspending a certificate pursuant to this section, the board shall serve notice on the certified Ohio behavior analyst of the suspension in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. If the individual whose certificate is suspended fails to make a timely request for an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board shall enter a final order permanently revoking the individual's certificate.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:28 PM

Section 4783.11 | Sanctions for sexual misconduct.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, if, at the conclusion of a hearing required by section 4783.09 of the Revised Code, the state board of psychology determines that a certified Ohio behavior analyst has engaged in sexual conduct or had sexual contact with the certified Ohio behavior analyst's patient or client in violation of any prohibition contained in Chapter 2907. of the Revised Code, the board shall do one of the following:

(1) Suspend the certified Ohio behavior analyst's certificate;

(2) Permanently revoke the certified Ohio behavior analyst's certificate.

(B) If the board determines at the conclusion of the hearing that neither of the sanctions described in division (A) of this section is appropriate, the board shall impose another sanction it considers appropriate and issue a written finding setting forth the reasons for the sanction imposed and the reason that neither of the sanctions described in division (A) of this section is appropriate.

Section 4783.12 | Notice regarding child support enforcement.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state board of psychology shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.

Section 4783.13 | Compliance with trafficking in persons provisions.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of psychology shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4783.20 | Telehealth services.

• Effective: March 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 122 - 134th General Assembly

A certified Ohio behavior analyst may provide telehealth services in accordance with section 4743.09 of the Revised Code.

Last updated January 27, 2022 at 3:42 PM

Section 4783.99 | Penalties.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

Whoever violates division (A) of section 4783.02 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than six months nor more than one year, or both. Each violation shall be a separate offense.