Written By:
BCBA, LBA
Introduction
If you’re a parent in Maryland searching for ABA therapy services, you may have noticed long waitlists or limited provider availability. That naturally leads to the question:
Is there a shortage of BCBAs?
The short answer: Yes, many areas, including parts of Maryland, are experiencing a shortage of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). But the full picture is more nuanced.
Let’s break it down.
Who Are BCBAs and Why Are They So Important?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a graduate-level professional certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BCBAs:
- Conduct behavioral assessments
- Design treatment plans
- Supervise RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians)
- Ensure ethical and evidence-based ABA therapy
They are the clinical decision-makers behind your child’s ABA program.
Because autism diagnoses have steadily increased over the past two decades, demand for qualified BCBAs has grown significantly.
What Does the Data Say?
The BACB publishes workforce data annually.
Over the past decade:
- The number of BCBAs has grown rapidly nationwide.
- Demand for BCBAs has increased even faster.
According to labor market analyses (e.g., Burning Glass/Lightcast reports cited by the BACB), job postings for BCBAs have consistently outpaced supply in many states.
While Maryland has a strong concentration of providers compared to some rural states, certain counties, especially rural or underserved areas, still face provider shortages.
Why Is There a Shortage of BCBAs?
Several factors contribute to this issue.
1. Rising Autism Diagnoses
The CDC currently estimates that approximately 1 in 36 children are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As awareness and early screening improve, demand for services increases.
2. Rigorous Certification Requirements
To become a BCBA, individuals must:
- Earn a master’s degree
- Complete approved coursework
- Accumulate supervised fieldwork hours
- Pass a national certification exam
This process typically takes 6–7 years of education and training.
The exam itself has first-time pass rates often ranging between 55–65%, reflecting its rigor.
The high standards protect families, but they also limit how quickly new professionals enter the field.
3. Burnout and Retention Challenges
ABA can be emotionally demanding. In supervision sessions, we’ve seen early-career clinicians struggle with:
- Large caseloads
- Administrative pressures
- Travel demands in home-based models
Retention challenges contribute to workforce gaps.
4. Geographic Distribution
Some parts of Maryland, particularly urban areas, have higher BCBA density. However, families in:
- Rural Western Maryland
- Parts of the Eastern Shore
May face longer wait times.
What We’ve Seen in Maryland
In our work with families and clinicians across Maryland:
- Some counties have immediate openings.
- Others report waitlists ranging from 3–6 months.
- School-based placements may take longer due to staffing constraints.
We’ve also seen families move between counties for better service access.
This variation highlights that the shortage is often regional, not uniform statewide.
Is the Shortage Getting Better or Worse?
The number of BCBAs nationally has grown significantly over the last decade. However:
- Autism diagnoses continue rising.
- Insurance mandates expand access.
- Public school demand increases.
So while the workforce is expanding, demand often keeps pace.
Maryland’s autism insurance mandate has helped increase service availability, but it has also increased demand.
How Does Shortage Affect Families?
A BCBA shortage can lead to:
- Longer waitlists
- Larger caseloads per clinician
- Delays in assessment
- Fewer options for specialized services
For parents, this can feel overwhelming.
However, many providers are adapting by:
- Offering telehealth supervision
- Expanding hybrid models
- Investing in BCBA training pipelines
Case Example: A Family in Central Maryland
A family in central Maryland sought ABA services for their 3-year-old after an ASD diagnosis. They encountered:
- A 4-month waitlist with one provider
- Limited in-home availability
However, another provider nearby had recently expanded staff after hiring two newly certified BCBAs.
The family secured services within 6 weeks.
This highlights how local supply shifts frequently.
Is the Shortage Nationwide?
Yes.
The BCBA workforce gap has been documented nationally. States with rural populations face greater challenges.
However, Maryland is generally better positioned than many southern or midwestern states due to:
- Strong graduate training programs
- Proximity to Washington, D.C.
- Higher overall provider density
That said, disparities still exist within the state.
What About Schools?
School systems in Maryland also face challenges hiring BCBAs for:
- Behavioral consultation
- IEP team support
- District-level supervision
Educators may feel the shortage when trying to access consultation services.
Are There Enough BCBAs for the Future?
Several positive trends suggest improvement:
- Increased enrollment in ABA graduate programs
- Growth of online BCBA programs
- Greater awareness of the field
- Telehealth supervision expansion
However, workforce growth must keep up with diagnostic trends.
How Families Can Navigate Limited Availability
If you’re concerned about BCBA access in Maryland, consider:
- Contacting multiple providers early
- Asking about telehealth options
- Inquiring about projected start dates
- Exploring school-based supports
- Asking about interim parent training
We’ve seen families benefit significantly from starting parent-led strategies while awaiting direct services.
Is the Shortage the Same Everywhere in Maryland?
No.
Availability varies by:
Urban areas may have more providers, but also more demand.
Rural areas may have fewer providers, but smaller caseload competition.
How Providers Are Addressing the Shortage
ABA organizations in Maryland are responding by:
- Expanding supervision programs
- Supporting RBT-to-BCBA career pipelines
- Offering tuition assistance
- Investing in retention strategies
We’ve seen clinics implement mentorship models that reduce burnout and improve retention among new BCBAs.
Why the Shortage Also Reflects High Standards
It’s important to remember that:
- BCBA certification standards are intentionally rigorous.
- The shortage partly reflects high professional expectations.
- Families benefit from these standards.
Quality over quantity matters in behavioral healthcare.
Conclusion
Yes, there is a shortage of BCBAs in many areas, including parts of Maryland. While the number of certified professionals has grown significantly over the past decade, rising autism diagnoses, rigorous certification requirements, and workforce retention challenges have created gaps in service availability. However, the situation is not uniform across the state, some regions have greater access than others. The shortage reflects both increased demand and high professional standards designed to protect families and ensure quality care. As graduate programs expand and providers invest in workforce development, availability is gradually improving. For Maryland families, understanding the landscape can help set realistic expectations and guide proactive steps when seeking ABA services.
At Admire ABA, our certified team are dedicated to delivering individualized, evidence-based ABA therapy in Maryland for children with autism and related conditions.
Learn how can help your child thrive. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a shortage of BCBAs?
The demand for autism services has grown rapidly, while certification requirements and workforce retention challenges have limited the supply of qualified professionals.
How does the BCBA shortage affect families?
Families may experience longer wait times or limited access to services in certain regions. Partnering with established providers helps ensure timely support.
What can be done to address the BCBA shortage?
Expanding graduate programs, supporting workforce development, and investing in retention strategies are key steps to increasing BCBA availability.
SOURCES:
- https://www.bacb.com
- https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/autism
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928
- https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder
