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Illinois Licensing Application Now Open!

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has officially launched the online application for behavior analyst licensure! Watch the recording from the Info Session outlining the process for applying and answering some commonly asked questions at the link below.

02/06/25 Update: IDFPR has approved ILABA's proposal to waive the renewal fee for LBA and LABA licenses for their 10/31/2025 renewal.

APPLY NOW! 2/3/25 Info Session Recording

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has opened its online application portal for the Behavior Analysts licensing program. Unless exempted, behavior analysts who provide services in Illinois need to be licensed. Below are a few key points of the current licensing rule:

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) Eligibility:
- A current valid BCBA certification, or
- Endorsement by IDFPR for an out-of-state license of equivalent standards
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) Eligibility:
- A current valid BCaBA certification, or
- Endorsement by IDFPR for an out-of-state license of equivalent standards
2-year renewal cycle, CE required (30 for LBA, 20 for LABA)
Pay IDFPR application fee:
- Initial Application Fee, $400 (LBA), $100 (LABA)
- Renewal Application Fee, $300 (LBA), $75 (LABA)
You need to be fingerprinted by an IDFPR approved vendor (in-state) or submit the OOS-FP form to be fingerprinted out-of-state.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the application process, click here to submit your comment or inquiry with your contact information to us and ILABA will follow up.

Helpful Links

LBA Online Application	LABA Online Application
IDFPR Behavior Analyst Website	IDFPR CORE Website
Behavior Analyst Licensing Act	Behavior Analyst Licensing Rules
IDFPR Fingerprint Vendors	IDFPR Contact Form

Commonly Asked Questions

Q1: Where can I find the most up-to-date information on rules governing the Illinois Behavior Analyst licensing program?

Answer: You can visit IDFPR's Behavior Analyst website to view the current policy and rules.

Q2: What is the deadline of licensure for providers that do not fall under the exemption?

*Answer: The deadline to obtain licensure per 225 ILCS 6/20 is March 23, 2025. One who applies to IDFPR prior to March 23, 2025 but is not licensed as of March 23, 2025 may be subject to outside liability and/or non-payment from insurance, but will likely not be disciplined by IDFPR for unlicensed activity. Licensure applications will continue to remain open and available indefinitely after March 23, 2025 for new graduates entering the profession or professionals relocating into Illinois.

Q3: If I get licensed now, will I be required to pay the renewal fee on 10/31/2025?

Answer: After discussion between ILABA and IDFPR, IDFPR has approved waiving the renewal fees for LBA and LABA for their license 10/31/2025 license renewal. The regular renewal fee for LBA and LABA is $300 and $75. This fee will be waived.

Q4: Do I need to be fingerprinted?

Answer: Yes, you need to be fingerprinted. You can view the list of IDFPR approved vendors if you're being fingerprinted in Illinois. If you are applying out-of-state, please refer to the department's Fingerprint Background Check Guide for out-of-state options. You MUST follow IDFPR's procedure to be fingerprinted, such as using an approved vendor, or following the out-of-state fingerprinting procedure. If you were previously fingerprinted for a different application/purpose, you need to be fingerprinted again for your LBA/LABA application.

You will NOT be able to submit your application until you've been fingerprinted and received a Transaction Control Number (TCN). In-state applicants will receive your TCN once the scan is completed. You do NOT need to wait for the result of your background check to be cleared before submitting your application.

If you encounter difficulties with an approved IDFPR vendor during fingerprinting, please use this contact form to reach out to us.

Q5: What is the Purpose Code and the ORI Number that should be used for fingerprinting?

Answer: For LBA application, the Purpose Code is LBA, ORI number is IL922015Z. For LABA, the Purpose Code is ABA, and the ORI number is IL922015Z.

Q6: For individuals living in areas with no approved fingerprinting vendors, is it acceptable to complete a card scan at a private fingerprinting business (not an approved vendor), police station, or sheriff’s office, and mail that card scan to an approved vendor for processing?

*Answer: Yes, individuals who are fingerprinted an unapproved fingerprinting site must arrange for the fingerprint cards to be sent to an approved vendor WITH CARD SCAN CAPABILITY. License prefix 152 is for LBA. License prefix 153 is for LABA. License prefix 154 is for BA CE Sponsor licenses.

Q7: Can I submit an application on behalf of someone else?

Answer: Yes, individuals or organizations can submit an application on behalf of someone else. Please follow IDFPR's procedure and submit a notarized copy of the authorization form along with your application.

Q8: Does CEUs received through an authorized continuing education (ACE) provider of the BACB count towards IDFPR's continuing education (CE) requirement?

Answer: Yes, IDFPR recognizes all BACB ACE provider as approved CE sponsors. CEUs received from a BACB ACE provider can be counted towards IDFPR's CE requirement. You can view IDFPR's requirements on documentation, content requirement, etc.

Q9: Does BCBAs working for school districts as Learning Behavior Specialists (LBS) or with School Support Personnel endorsement need to be licensed?

Answer: According to the behavior analyst licensing act (Section 20 c) This act does not prohibit... (8) An individual with a learning behavior specialist or school support personnel endorsement from the State Board of Education, the school district in which the school is located, or a special education joint agreement serving the school district in which the school is located from delivering behavior analytic services in a school setting when employed by that school as long as those services are defined in the scope of practice for that endorsement and that person is not in any manner held out to the public as a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst.

If you are working under your LBS1 in a school district and not practicing independently as a BCBA or billing insurance, you likely are not required to obtain licensure as a behavior analyst in Illinois. However, if your role explicitly involves functioning as a BCBA or supervising behavior analytic services, you may need licensure. We recommend confirming with your employer and reviewing the IDFPR guidelines to clarify if licensure applies to your current scope of practice.

Q10: I am enrolled as a Behavior Intervention Services - Level 1 or Level 2 provider by the Illinois Department of Human Service, do I need to be licensed?

Answer: No you do not need to licensed to provide service as either a Level 1 or Level 2 provider. However, you cannot present yourself as LBA or LABA.

Q11: If a BCBA is providing supervision to a student enrolled in an academic program, or to a registered behavior technician, but is not receiving reimbursement for their time, and is not spending time with patients, does this BCBA need to be licensed?

*Answer: Regardless of whether or not a behavior analyst is being reimbursed for providing behavior analysis in Illinois, a license is required. If a BA is supervising someone providing BA services, they are providing the service.

Q12: What is the contact info for applicants encountering technical difficulties on CORE?

*Answer from IDFPR: Individuals encountering technical difficulties in CORE can contact the DPR Call Center at 800/560-6420.

Q13: I have additional comments on the LBA/LABA licensing program. Who should I contact for clarifications or concerns?

Answer: IDFPR ultimately holds the authority in amending rules governing the LBA/LABA licensing program. ILABA is actively communicating with the department and legislators on this newly launched program. To contact IDFPR directly, please refer to their contact info page. ILABA members are also welcomed to use this contact form to reach out to us.

Note: Answers provided directly by IDFPR is marked with *

Learn more about HB 4769 here .

Learn more about HB 5344 here .

IDFPR: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Practices. Among other responsibilities, IDFPR regulates licensed professionals in Illinois. Learn more here .

JCAR: Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; a committee within the Illinois legislature which conducts systematic reviews of administrative rules presented by state agencies. Learn more here.

Medicaid: a government-funded, comprehensive health insurance program that covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Learn more here.

HFS: Healthcare and Family Services; HFS provides healthcare coverage for individuals in Illinois who qualify for Medicaid. Learn more here. Learn more about HSF’s Adaptive Behavior Support Services fee schedule here.

Federal CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency that works with state governments to oversee and implement Medicare and Medicaid. Learn more here.

IMPACT: Illinois Medicaid Program Advanced Cloud Technology, a web-based Medicaid management system used for provider enrollment. Learn more here.

Learn more about SB 3315 here.

Updates & FAQ

Updates and Announcements

For a history of our legislative efforts, click on the links below:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is licensure? How is it different from certification?

Licensed professionals are regulated by state law. The governing certifying entity manages certification (such as through the BACB). While the qualifications to become a licensed behavior analyst often mirror those of the certifying body, licensure provides additional provisions for state regulation of the practice of behavior analysis and the title “behavior analyst.”

Why is licensure necessary?

The licensing law regulate the practice of ABA or the use of title “behavior analyst” in the state of Illinois. In a sense, anyone can say they practice ABA or claim to be a behavior analyst (or a derivative title), which poses significant dangers for consumers—especially in areas underserved by appropriately trained and certified behavior analysts.

Individuals not certified by the BACB are not held to BACB ethical guidelines, and as a result, terms like “behavior specialist” or “behavior interventionist” are increasingly used by non‐certified practitioners. This has led to confusion among consumers regarding whom to trust for ABA services.

Licensure is also necessary to protect the integrity of our science and practice, and consequently, our professional reputation. As more individuals practice without proper training and certification, the definition of ABA becomes increasingly blurred.

Key benefits of licensure include:

Legal Recognition & Professional Credibility: Licensure establishes BCBAs as recognized professionals under state law and ensures that only qualified individuals can practice ABA therapy, enhancing public trust.
Increased Job Opportunities: Many employers in healthcare and educational settings require licensure for hiring, and licensed BCBAs may have more opportunities to work with insurance-covered clients.
Insurance Reimbursement: Many insurance companies require state licensure for reimbursement of ABA therapy services, and Medicaid plus other state-funded programs often require licensure for provider eligibility.

Have more questions? We'll continue to update this page with answers to any frequently asked questions.