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New Law Licenses Autism Specialists

To Help Families Find Quality Programs

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law a bill to establish a new state license for providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

The new law will help individuals and families find quality ABA providers that have met stringent academic and training requirements, while also ensuring state regulation and continuing oversight of these providers, who work closely with a vulnerable population.

“This bill ensures one of New York’s most vulnerable populations is better protected,” Governor Cuomo said. “I commend Assembly Majority Leader [Joseph] Morelle and [State] Senator [Charles] Fuschillo for their work on this issue, and am pleased to sign it into law.”

Applied behavioral analysis is an intensive, often one-on-one treatment method that is beneficial for individuals with autism. This law establishes a new state license for behavior analysts (with at least a master’s degree) and a new state certification for behavior analyst assistants (with at least a 4-year college degree), with a protected scope of practice.