Nordic ABA

Training Standards

for Registry Eligibility

 

Purpose

These standards define the minimum educational requirements for individuals residing in one of the Nordic countries and seeking registration as behaviour analysts within the NordicABA registry. The purpose is to ensure that all registered behaviour analysts have had minimal postgraduate academic training to practice independently and ethically.

 

Acceptable Educational Pathways

Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Master’s Degree in Behaviour Analysis or Applied Behaviour Analysis from a recognized university or equivalent higher education institution.
  • A master’s degree awarded by a university where the programme is designated as behaviour analysis or applied behaviour analysis; OR a programme officially recognized by the awarding institution as equivalent to such a degree.
  • Completion of coursework equivalent to BCBA-Level Training.
  • Coursework is equivalent in scope and depth to a BACB Verified Course Sequence aligned with the BACB 4th Edition Task List or higher.
  • Coursework must include all major domains of behaviour analytic theory, research methods, ethics, and applied practice as specified by the relevant Task List.
  • Coursework must have been completed at a recognized university, higher education facility, or recognized equivalent institution (including programmes not formally part of a university system), with a minimum of 30 ECTS or equivalent in behaviour analysis content areas.
  • Coursework must be part of a behaviour analytic programme of study or within a degree that is formally recognized by the awarding university as a programme in behaviour analysis or applied behaviour analysis.
  • Completion of coursework that adheres to EuroBA Master’s-Level Content Standards.

 

Application requirements include one of the following:

  1. Coursework documentation.
  2. Official transcripts or academic records verifying completion of the relevant degree or coursework.
  3. Documentation (e.g., syllabus or course outlines) demonstrating that the coursework aligns with behaviour analytic content requirements.
  4. Confirmation from the awarding institution or programme director that the coursework meets criteria for being an acceptable pathway.

 

Automatic Inclusion

Individuals who hold existing behaviour analytic certification (based on postgraduate university coursework) are considered to have met NordicABA’s educational standards in full.

Assuming such individuals are in good standing professionally and ethically, they are automatically eligible for inclusion on the NordicABA registry without further review of educational documentation.

 

Alternative Qualifying Pathway

To support inclusivity during the initial implementation of the NordicABA registry, individuals who do not fully meet the educational standards as outlined above may apply for consideration on a case-by-case basis based on an attestation from an existing registrant. The attestation will be a written statement of support describing the applicant’s professional experience, applied skills, and suitability for registry inclusion. Supporting materials (e.g., CV, evidence of training, or professional references) may be requested. The NordicABA Registry Committee will review each application on a case-by-case basis. The alternative qualifying pathway recognizes demonstrated experience, competence and commitment to behaviour analytic practice while maintaining professional integrity and oversight.

Applicants may request consideration under an alternative qualifying pathway if they:

  • Have relevant education, training, or professional experience in behaviour analysis or a closely related field, but do not meet all educational criteria specified in Sections 1 and 2;
  • Reside and practice in one of the Nordic countries; and
  • Are seeking inclusion on the NordicABA Registry as a practising behaviour analyst.

 

Each application for an alternative qualifying pathway must be accompanied by an attestation from a current registrant who fully meets NordicABA’s educational standards. The attesting behaviour analyst must:

  • Hold current registration with NordicABA;
  • Be in good standing professionally and ethically;
  • Have direct knowledge of the applicant’s competence and professional conduct in applied behaviour analysis.

 

NordicABA reserves the right to revise or discontinue the alternative qualifying pathway as the professional infrastructure across the Nordic countries evolves.

 

Review and Updates

These educational standards will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued alignment with international developments in the field of behaviour analysis and evolving Nordic professional contexts.