RBT requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee has no state credential for behavior technicians. The state licenses behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, and its licensing rules do not mention technicians.
At a glance
| State credential for behavior technicians | None: BACB certification and your employer's requirements apply |
|---|---|
| Behavior analyst license | Licensed Behavior Analyst; also Licensed Assistant Behavior AnalystTennessee Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee (of the Board of Examiners in Psychology, Department of Health) |
The rules that affect RBTs
- Tennessee has no state license, registration or certification for behavior technicians.
- The Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee's rules (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. chapter 1180-05, effective June 21, 2017) cover only licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts and do not mention technicians.
- Licenses are issued through the Tennessee Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee of the Board of Examiners in Psychology, Department of Health.
BACB requirements apply everywhere
Whatever the state adds, RBT certification itself is the same in every state: the 40-hour training, the Initial Competency Assessment, the BACB exam, and ongoing supervision of at least 5% of your service hours each month. In Tennessee, your supervising BCBA must also hold the state license. Your employer and the programs that pay for services, such as Medicaid or insurers, can have their own requirements too. See how to become an RBT.
Sources
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1180-05-.01, definitions
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1180-05-.03, necessity of licensure
- Tennessee Department of Health, Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee
From the state's statutes, rules and licensing board, checked 2026-10-28. Laws change: confirm with the board before relying on this page. This isn't legal advice.