Maintaining Certification

Rationale

Professional development is accomplished by obtaining the required number of continuing education credits. Renewal by continuing education credits ensures that the individual has participated in professional development activities that are directly related to the body of knowledge for BCAT certificants as defined by the exam content outline.

The 2-year time period established for recertification is based on the BICC’s determination that the certificant implements a treatment plan under the supervision of a master’s-level clinician who designs the treatment and identifies treatment goals, two facets of treatment that may be more immediately influenced by emerging research than the actual implementation of treatment. The implementation of treatment adheres strictly to the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis. Because the BCAT is supervised by the Master’s-level supervisor, recertification every two years is sufficient to maintain the certificant’s high standard of clinical quality and to affirm the certificant’s commitment to the Code of Conduct.

To ensure that certificants supplement and reinforce their knowledge in appropriate subject areas, only those continuing education courses approved by BICC will accrue toward the 12 hours of CE units.

Rolling criminal background checks, known as Department of Justice LiveScan checks, are required to maintain the BCAT credential. Individuals with the BCAT credential typically work with individuals with developmental disabilities, a vulnerable population that deserves the safety assurance that an ongoing background check provides. BCAT certificants are required to be registered on the BICC registry, to ensure that educational background, training, credentials, other certifications, and the background check are accessible to parents, caregivers, educators, funding agencies, and other interested parties.

Recertification Requirements

To qualify for recertification, BCAT certificants must meet each of the following requirements: 
 1. Complete one of the following professional development options: a. Earn 12 hours of continuing education credits (at least 3 credits must be ethics related topics). See Continuing Education Requirements for full detail. b. Take and pass the certification exam based on the current content outline. If a certificant has not completed the 12 hours of continuing education credits required for recertification, he/she may recertify by taking and passing the certification exam prior to the expiration of the credential. 
 2. Attest to uphold the Code of Conduct. 
3. Agree to maintain compliance with ongoing background checks. 
 4. Submit a Documentation of Supervision form documenting monthly supervision. 

Certification Expiration

Certification expires on the last day of the month 2 years following the date of certification. For example, if an individual is certified on May 15, 2015, certification will expire on May 30, 2017.  Applications for recertification should be submitted at least 10 days prior to the date on which the certification expires to ensure a timely renewal.  Recertification reminder notices are issued 30 days before the recertification application deadline to the last known email address of each certificant. Certificants are responsible for notifying the BICC office of any changes in address, including email address.  Recertification is the responsibility of each BCAT certificant. BICC is not responsible for notices that fail to reach certificants.

 

Continuing Education Requirements

After initial certification is obtained, continuing education hours may be accrued and used for recertification. Continuing education hours must be obtained between the date of initial certification and the date that the recertification application is submitted. Once submitted, candidates cannot obtain/add additional continuing education credits to the recertification application. The recertification decision will be based solely on the submitted information.

Continuing Education Documentation Required

Documentation of the continuing education hours must be submitted with the recertification application. Primary source verification of all CE hours is required. Acceptable documentation includes official transcripts and certificates of completion. See the Required Documentation column in the Acceptable Activities table below for additional information.

Continuing Education Acceptable Topics

Only continuing education activities and topics directly related to the knowledge, skill, and ability statements on the exam content outline will be accepted. At least 3 credits must be directly related to ethics.

Continuing Education Acceptable Activities

Continuing education credits may be earned at workshops, conferences, conventions, seminars, college/university courses, webinars, and in-service training events. Credit is also granted for professional presentations. Credit may be claimed only once for each activity. For example, a 1 hour presentation that is delivered at two different conferences can only be claimed for 1 CE credit.

Approved Continuing Education Providers

All continuing education credits from workshops, webinars, seminars, etc. must be earned from a BICC approved provider. A list of approved providers is available on the website. Certificants may seek approval for credits received from non-approved providers by contacting BICC.

Documentation of Supervision

Board Certified Autism Technicians (BCAT) require documented, ongoing supervision by a qualified health care professional (QHCP) who possesses a license and/or certification by a national entity to practice applied behavior analysis (ABA) and who is acting within the scope and competency of his/her license or certification. QHCPs who are qualified to direct BCATs include Board Certified Autism Professionals (BCAP), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), or Licensed Psychologists.  
Each BCAT shall receive direction from a QHCP for no less than 5% of the service hours in which the BCAT implements treatment using the principles and procedures of ABA. Direction of the technician may be conducted via the Internet in accordance with all applicable privacy regulations and must include a minimum of two synchronous face-to-face contacts every month, with the supervisor observing the BCAT provide services to an individual with autism
spectrum disorder during at least one of the two contacts. Documentation of QHCP directing the technician must be maintained by the BCAT on the BCAT Documentation of Supervision form, which requires attestation by the QHCP(s). BCATs must submit all BCAT Documentation of Supervision forms when applying for renewal of their certification. 

BCAT Prices

BCAP Prices

Exam Fee with Application Verification (3 year certification cycle)

(Not renewed within 60 days of certification expiration)

Recertification Application Review 

Recertification Application Review

In order to maintain the credibility and integrity of the certification process, BICC reserves the right to verify any information provided on recertification applications. Requests for verification may be made prior to recertification or at a future time. Certificants are advised to retain all recertification documentation for at least 3 years after each renewal deadline.

Recertification Application Processing

All recertification applications will be reviewed to ensure that all recertification requirements are met. If any areas of non-compliance are identified during the review of a recertification application the individual will have 15 days to submit any required information. If the required information is not provided, the individual’s certification will expire at the end of the 15 days or on the normal expiration date (whichever comes last). If an application is selected for audit and the certificant does not respond or does not submit the requested documentation, certification will not be renewed.

Incomplete Renewal Application

An application will be considered incomplete if any of the requested information is missing or illegible or the appropriate fee is not included. Application must be complete before they are processed and approved. Incomplete applications will not be returned and application fees will not be refunded.

Recertification Acceptance

BICC will issue a recertification letter to the certificant once all renewal requirements have been met. Recertification applications will not be accepted from individual’s whose certification is in a state of suspension or has been revoked.

Failure to Recertify
If certification has been expired for 60 days or less, an individual may reinstate his/her certification by meeting all of the recertification requirements, submitting a complete recertification application, and paying the recertification fee and reinstatement fee. If the application is approved, the individual’s expiration date for the reinstated credential will be the same as if the certification had been renewed on time. 

A one-time reinstatement option is available, if certification has been expired for more than 60 days. An individual must submit required documentation of supervision forms and retake and pass the exam in order to reinstate certification. Certification reinstated after 60 days will be reinstated with new dates of initial certification and certification expiration. 

If certification has been expired for more than 6 months, or if the one-time reinstatement option has been previously used, certification will not be renewed, and the individual will have to re-apply for certification, meet all the eligibility criteria for initial certification, , including all training requirements, and re-take and pass the certification examination in order to reinstate certification. 

Certificants who are participating in active military duty or whose personal circumstances preclude timely recertification should contact BICC and request an exception to this policy. Any exceptions will be made at the sole discretion of BICC. 

BCAT certification may not be used from the date of expiration until the credential is successfully reinstated.

Changes in Contact Information

Applicants and certificants are responsible for keeping their mailing address and email address up to date and notifying BICC in writing of any changes. Your BCAT certificate and welcome kit will be sent to your mailing address. All other communication, notifications, confirmations, and reminders will be sent to your email address.

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