Professional Development of Behavior Analysts in Europe: A Snapshot for 21 Countries
Europe has no legal behavior-analyst job yet, so overseas BCBAs must follow emerging EuroBA standards for future licensing.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Keenan et al. (2023) asked 21 European countries how they recognize behavior analysts. They used a survey and follow-up emails to map laws, titles, and training paths.
The team also tracked who still holds BACB credentials and what new EuroBA rules are coming.
What they found
No country in Europe gives behavior analysts an official job title yet. BACB exams closed to new overseas candidates in 2022.
Only a few nations plan to license the role. The new EuroBA group is writing basic skill lists, but they are not final.
How this fits with other research
Marshall et al. (2023) show U.S. certificants drifting toward non-ABA treatments. Together, the two 2023 surveys warn that loose standards on both sides of the Atlantic can let unproven methods spread.
Al-Nasser et al. (2019) proved that picture-based self-teach packets give near-mastery fidelity to novices. EuroBA planners could fold these packets into their future training to keep quality high.
Szempruch et al. (1993) tracked JABA topics for 25 years and saw heavy U.S. focus. Keenan’s map now shows the gap: Europe never joined that pipeline, so today it starts almost from scratch.
Why it matters
If you practice, supervise, or hire in Europe, track the draft EuroBA standards now. Build your CEUs around them, ask employers to fund supervisor training that matches the coming rules, and keep every BACB certificate current—you may need it as a bridge until local licenses arrive.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Behavior analysts are not recognized or regulated as a distinct profession in Europe. For the most part, European behavior analysts adhered to the standards set by the U.S.-based Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). However, the BACB certification has not been recognized officially in any European jurisdiction. The recent decision by the BACB to discontinue eligibility of non-U.S. residents to apply for the BCBA exam by the end of 2022 has brought the issue of professional regulation outside of the United States into sharp focus. This article offers a snapshot in time of professional recognition of behavior analysts in 21 European countries. It stems from the Erasmus+ funded EuroBA project and its Professional Advisory Group (PAG). The EuroBA project aims to develop common standards and competences for behavior analysts to facilitate national regulation and mutual recognition across Europe.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2023 · doi:10.1007/s40617-022-00754-0