What is a UKBA(cert)?

The UKBA(cert) is a postgraduate-level certification in behaviour analysis and is the highest level of certification offered by the UK-SBA. Practitioners with a UKBA(cert) have the following:

A masters degree and approved postgraduate study in behaviour analysis or positive behaviour support.
Demonstrated competent supervised practice in behaviour analysis.

See How Can I Become a UKBA(cert) for full details of all routes to becoming a UKBA(cert).

A UKBA(cert) can work in a variety of roles in behaviour analysis, including in education, in positive behaviour support (PBS), or organisational behaviour management (OBM).

All approved UKBA(cert)s appear on the UK-SBA searchable register. UKBA(cert)s who work in Health and Social Care are awarded the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Quality Mark.

All UKBA(cert)s are qualified behaviour analysts who have agreed to abide by the UK-SBA Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct and the Complaints Procedure. This is a mandatory condition of registration and demonstrates a commitment to best practice and to protecting those in receipt of behaviour analytic services. UKBA(cert)s who breach the UK-SBA Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct can be subject to complaints which, if upheld, may result in sanctions or removal from the register.

All UKBA(cert)s must also evidence they hold safety to practice items. These items are as follows:

Liability insurance
A criminal records disclosure
Safeguarding training

What can a UKBA(cert) do?

The UKBA(cert) indicates that a practitioner has met the minimum academic and competence standards for the practice of behaviour analysis in the UK. The UKBA(cert) certification and the PSA registration are only valid for work undertaken in the UK.

A UKBA(cert) can lead the implementation of behaviour analytic services. They will work in collaboration with the recipients of their services and other stakeholders to design, implement, and monitor behavioural supports and interventions. They may work as part of a multidisciplinary team or as an independent practitioner. A UKBA(cert) may coordinate or supervise others to implement the programmes they design. This includes supervising UKiBAs. (Please note: Probationary UKBA(cert)s cannot supervise certificants of any other level.)

Although a UKBA(cert) can lead on behaviour analytic programmes, they must engage in regular peer-to-peer supervision with other UKBA(cert)s. They may also receive clinical supervision from another UKBA(cert) with more specialist knowledge or experience in a particular area of practice.

For further details on the UKBA(cert), please refer to the UKBA(cert) Handbook.