Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Idaho (2026)

Idaho has no in-state ABA master's program — but ISU holds an ABAI-verified undergraduate minor, Boise State offers a graduate certificate in behavioral interventions, and the state's above-average salaries and zero behavior analyst licensure make it a straightforward place to practice with national BCBA certification.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

ABA Programs in Idaho (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Idaho State University offers an ABAI-verified 18-credit minor in Applied Behavior Analysis at $351/credit for residents — preparing undergraduates for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs.
  • Boise State University provides an online graduate certificate in Behavioral Interventions and Supports — relevant for educators and professionals working with behavioral challenges, though not a standalone BCBA pathway.
  • Idaho has no in-state ABA master's program — students pursuing BCBA certification typically enroll in affordable online programs from schools like Mississippi State ($558/credit, in-state for all), Utah State ($488/credit), or UCO ($292/credit).
  • Idaho has no state licensure for behavior analysts and no pending legislation — BCBA certification through the BACB is the only credential needed to practice.
  • Idaho BCBAs earn $60,000–$78,000 in the Boise metro, with BLS data showing a median of $66,130 — well above the national average, reflecting strong demand in a growing state.

Idaho's ABA education options are limited but improving. Idaho State University in Pocatello offers the state's only ABAI-verified ABA program — an 18-credit undergraduate minor housed in the Psychology department. The minor prepares students for BCaBA certification and provides a strong foundation for graduate ABA programs elsewhere. At $351/credit for in-state students, it's an affordable entry point into the field.

Boise State University fills a different niche with its online graduate certificate in Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Housed in the College of Education's counselor education department, this certificate serves educators, school counselors, and professionals who need behavioral intervention skills but may not be pursuing BCBA certification specifically. It covers functional behavior assessment, positive behavior supports, and evidence-based intervention strategies.

The gap in Idaho's ABA landscape is a master's-level program designed for BCBA certification. Students seeking the BCBA credential must look to online programs from accredited out-of-state universities — and there are strong options. Utah State University ($488/credit) is the closest geographically, while Mississippi State ($558/credit with in-state rates for everyone) and the University of Central Oklahoma ($292/credit) offer some of the most affordable online ABA master's degrees nationally. Idaho's lack of state licensure requirements means graduates with BCBA certification can begin practicing immediately without additional state credentials.

ISU's Undergraduate Minor & Boise State's Graduate Certificate

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
Idaho State University — Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis $351/credit (~$6,318 total, 18 credits) On-campus (undergraduate) 2–3 semesters (alongside bachelor's degree) ABAI-Verified Course Sequence; BCaBA-Aligned
Boise State University — Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Interventions and Supports (Online) Contact Boise State Graduate College for current rates Fully online 1–2 semesters Regionally Accredited (NWCCU)

Idaho State University — Minor in Applied Behavior Analysis

Pocatello

In-State Tuition

$351/credit (~$6,318 total, 18 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,067/credit (~$19,206 total)

Format

On-campus (undergraduate)

Full-Time

2–3 semesters (alongside bachelor's degree)

Field Hours

BCaBA fieldwork requirements (completed separately; 1,000 hours for BCaBA)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — principles of ABA, behavioral assessment, ethical practice, research methods, intervention strategies

  • Idaho's only ABAI-verified ABA program — the strongest credential for undergraduate ABA training in the state
  • Psychology department home — access to behavioral research labs and faculty expertise
  • Prepares students for BCaBA certification or graduate ABA programs at other institutions
  • Affordable in-state rate of $351/credit — 18 credits for approximately $6,318 total
  • ISU is Idaho's designated health sciences university — strong clinical and research infrastructure
  • Strong pipeline to online ABA master's programs for students pursuing BCBA certification
  • Pocatello campus provides a focused academic environment with lower cost of living
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 2.5

Boise State University — Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Interventions and Supports (Online)

Boise

Online Available

In-State Tuition

Contact Boise State Graduate College for current rates

Out-of-State

Contact Boise State Graduate College for current rates

Format

Fully online

Full-Time

1–2 semesters

Field Hours

Not applicable (certificate does not target BCBA certification)

Concentrations

Behavioral Interventions and Supports — functional behavior assessment, positive behavior supports, evidence-based intervention, classroom management

  • Online delivery — accessible from anywhere in Idaho or beyond
  • College of Education focus — designed for educators, school counselors, and behavioral support professionals
  • Covers functional behavior assessment and positive behavior support — practical skills for classroom and clinical settings
  • Boise State is Idaho's largest public university — strong institutional support and reputation
  • Complements rather than replaces BCBA certification — serves professionals who need behavioral skills in educational contexts
  • Can be completed alongside full-time employment — flexible online format
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

No State License Needed — BCBA Certification Is Sufficient

No State Licensure Required

Issued by: No state licensing body — BACB certification is the only credential needed

  • Idaho does not require state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst
  • BCBA certification from the BACB is the de facto professional credential
  • No state registration, exam, or fees beyond BACB certification requirements
  • No pending legislation to establish behavior analyst licensure as of 2026
  • Insurance companies and major employers typically require BCBA certification regardless
  • Idaho's approach means BCBAs can begin practicing immediately upon certification — no state application delays

Renewal

No state renewal required. Maintain BCBA certification through the BACB — 32 CEUs every two years including ethics requirements. Employers and insurers require active BACB certification for continued practice and reimbursement.

Visit Licensing Board →

Behavior Analyst Pay in Boise, Idaho Falls & the Treasure Valley

BLS Median

$66,130

Entry Level

$38,000–$48,000

Experienced

$60,000–$78,000 (BCBA-certified, Boise metro)

Top Earners

$82,000–$105,000+ (clinical directors, private practice, telehealth serving rural areas)

Idaho's BLS median of approximately $66,130 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is well above the national average of $59,190. This premium reflects a growing population, expanding autism diagnosis rates, and a limited supply of certified behavior analysts in the state. The Boise-Nampa metro area drives most ABA employment and offers the strongest salaries. Idaho Falls and the eastern part of the state have a smaller but growing market. Idaho's cost of living remains below the national average — particularly outside the Boise metro — giving BCBA salaries strong purchasing power. Telehealth-based ABA services are expanding to serve Idaho's rural and frontier communities.

Growing Demand in Idaho's Fastest-Expanding Metro Areas

BLS Employment

1,960

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034; Idaho growth likely higher due to rapid population expansion

Top Employers

St. Luke's Health System, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, school districts (Boise, Meridian, Nampa), Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, private ABA providers

Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and its behavioral health workforce is struggling to keep pace with population growth. The Treasure Valley (Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell) concentrates most ABA positions, with St. Luke's Health System as the largest healthcare employer. Idaho's school districts are increasingly hiring BCBAs for behavioral support roles. The state's rural communities face acute behavioral health shortages — creating telehealth opportunities for BCBAs willing to serve remote areas. Idaho's proximity to Utah (which has multiple ABA programs) and Washington state creates a regional talent pipeline, but demand consistently outpaces supply. Private ABA providers are expanding in the Boise metro, driven by insurance coverage of ABA therapy and increasing autism awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not currently. ISU's minor prepares you for BCaBA certification (bachelor's level) or for graduate ABA programs, and Boise State's certificate focuses on behavioral interventions for educators rather than BCBA preparation. To become a BCBA, you'll need an ABA master's program — which means enrolling in an online program from an accredited out-of-state university. Top affordable options include Mississippi State ($558/credit, in-state for all), Utah State ($488/credit), and UCO ($292/credit).
Idaho has not enacted behavior analyst licensure legislation, and no active bills address the issue as of 2026. In practice, the absence of state licensure has minimal impact — employers and insurance companies require BCBA certification regardless, and the BACB provides the professional oversight that licensure would otherwise deliver. Some advocacy for licensure exists within Idaho's behavior analysis community, but no formal regulatory framework has been proposed.
Yes — arguably because of the limited programs. Idaho's BLS median of $66,130 is well above the national average, reflecting strong demand and limited local supply of behavior analysts. The state's rapid population growth (especially in the Treasure Valley) is driving increased demand for ABA services. BCBAs who relocate to Idaho or complete online programs while living in-state face less competition and strong earning potential. The lack of state licensure also means no application delays or additional fees — you can practice immediately with BCBA certification.
ISU's ABA minor is an ABAI-verified undergraduate program designed specifically for the behavior analysis career path — it prepares students for BCaBA certification and graduate ABA programs. Boise State's graduate certificate in Behavioral Interventions and Supports is designed for educators and counselors who need behavioral intervention skills in school and clinical settings — it's not a BCBA preparation program. Choose ISU if you're pursuing behavior analysis as a career; choose Boise State if you're an educator wanting to add behavioral support competencies.
If you're an Idaho undergraduate, ISU's ABA minor is an excellent foundation — the ABAI-verified coursework gives you a head start on ABA concepts before a master's program, and some online ABA programs may accept transfer credits for overlapping coursework. However, it's not required. Many online ABA master's programs accept students with bachelor's degrees in psychology, education, or related fields without prior ABA coursework. The minor is most valuable if you want to work as a BCaBA while completing your master's degree, earning supervised experience hours simultaneously.