All Roll Calls
Yes: 100 • No: 16
ArkansasHB19542025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
Sponsored By: Wade Andrews (Republican), Missy Irvin (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Behavior analysts face oversight and penalties
People cannot practice applied behavior analysis or use the registered behavior analyst title, including variations or abbreviations, without registration. Unregistered violations carry civil fines of $500 to $1,000; registered violators may face sanctions, fines up to $5,000, and lost registration. The Arkansas Psychology Board runs registration and may adopt reasonable rules needed to carry out the law. It may adopt the Behavior Analyst Certification Board ethics code as of January 1, 2025, and the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board ethics code. At least one appointed Board member must be a licensed psychologist with behavior analyst certification or experience providing behavior analysis services.
New registration rules for behavior analysts
Behavior analysts practicing independently in Arkansas must register with the Arkansas Psychology Board. Applicants must apply, pass a criminal background check, and pay an application fee of no more than $200. Accepted credentials are Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, or Qualified Behavior Analyst certification. Registration lasts two years; renewal requires an application, current certification verification, and a fee of no more than $150. Registration adds no training or continuing education requirements.
Registration paths for out-of-state behavior analysts
Out-of-state behavior analysts can apply for temporary registration using an out-of-state license or qualifying current certification, including Qualified Behavior Analyst certification. They must pay a Board-set fee and show their work is short-term under Board rules; the Board verifies their credentials. The law sets no temporary fee amount or registration length. The Board may also grant regular registration to analysts licensed in good standing where requirements are comparable to Arkansas's. Those applicants need current qualifying certification, Board verification of their license, and must meet all other regular registration requirements.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Wade Andrews
Republican • House
Missy Irvin
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, April 14, 2025 2:49:36 PM
Yes: 31 • No: 0 • Other: 3
House vote • 4/7/2025
House Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 4:01:40 PM
Yes: 69 • No: 16 • Other: 9
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1954 is now Act 869
4/17/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/15/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/14/2025HouseReturned from the Senate as passed.
4/14/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed.
4/14/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/14/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
4/9/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE
4/7/2025SenateReceived from the House.
4/7/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/7/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/3/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/1/2025HouseFiled
4/1/2025House
Bill Text
HB1954 - Introduced
4/1/2025
Act Version
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