Practice requirements for ABA providers in Maryland
Last researched October 21, 2026
The internal processes a practice in Maryland has to run before and after a technician starts. A practice, not MeetAllo, remains responsible for compliance.
Requirements for practices
- Facility or agency license
We could not verify this yet - check with the state health or licensing department.
- Background checks
As of 2026-10-21, per COMAR 10.09.28.02, a completed Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) criminal background check is an ABA participation requirement. DPSCS states that private employers must complete the Private Party Petition packet; the employer's authorization requirement should be distinguished from each provider's own background check. Agencies must screen employees and contractors, including administrative staff, against the HHS-OIG exclusion list; the ABA Provider Manual recommends screening every 30 days and requires screening documentation.
- Staff training
We could not verify this yet - check with the state health or licensing department.
- Other requirements
Current Maryland Medicaid enrollment instructions identify the MPRIME provider enrollment portal (Maryland Provider Registration and Information Management Enterprise), not ePREP. ABA providers generally enroll with Maryland Medicaid and register with the BHASO (Carelon Behavioral Health); transition guidance permits courtesy registration/authorization before Medicaid enrollment, but claims are withheld until enrollment is complete, so the enrollment-before-registration sequence is not absolute. Providers may enroll as an individual or group ABA provider. Licensed psychologists seeking to provide ABA must complete the ABA Psychologist Attestation Form and must also register with Carelon Behavioral Health. All ABA services require BHASO prior authorization. Participants must have an ASD diagnosis from a qualified health care professional and be under 21 (EPSDT). Per PT 76-26, for service dates beginning July 1, 2026, claims require the individual referring practitioner's NPI in field 17b and active Medicaid enrollment on the service date; group/facility NPIs do not qualify.
Medicaid supervision and enrollment
- Provider enrollment
We could not verify this yet - check with Maryland Department of Health (MDH); claims/prior authorization run through the Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BHASO), Carelon Behavioral Health.
- Supervision requirements
Direction (supervision) of a BCaBA, RBT or BT with protocol modification by a psychologist, BCBA-D or BCBA must be ongoing and equal to at least 10 percent of the hours the BCaBA/RBT/BT provides direct ABA services (manual; COMAR 10.09.28.04 also states at least 10 percent). Reassessment is every 180 days; all ABA services need prior authorization from the BHASO (authorizations valid max 180 days). A monthly requirement that 25% of services be delivered in person is discussed in the telehealth_aba section; see that section for details.
National baseline for onboarding a technician
Items below are supported by BACB or regulator sources. Your state may add more.
- Verify RBT status on the BACB Certificant Registry (status, expiration, listed supervisor; red text means may not practice) or via portal verification report / $25 written verification.
- Ensure a qualified BCBA/BCaBA supervisor (with completed supervisor training 2.0) or RBT Requirements Coordinator lists the RBT as supervisee in their BACB portal before the RBT provides services as an RBT.
- Assign a supervisor/Coordinator for every client the RBT serves; no relation, employer-superior or multiple relationship with the RBT.
- Plan supervision: 5% of monthly service hours, at least two real-time contacts per month, one individual, one observation of services; document dates, durations, format, observations; retain 7 years.
- Criminal background check and abuse registry check comparable to those for home health aides/child care/teachers, within 180 days before the application is paid; fingerprinting may be required by state or organization.
- For applicants: have a BCBA/BCaBA Responsible Assessor (with 8-hour supervision training, same organization as applicant and clients, not related/subordinate/employed by the applicant at the time of assessment) complete the ICA after the 40-hour training; keep assessment records 7 years.
- Attesting Certificant for the application attestation must not be related to, subordinate to, or employed by the applicant.
- Correct worker classification (employee vs contractor) for RBTs; BACB may ask for a tax professional's written opinion in an ethics matter.
- For TRICARE ACD enrollment: RBT/ABAT/BCAT or state certification, current BLS/CPR, authorized ABA supervisor named, 10-year federal/state/county criminal and sex-offender history check.
- For Medicaid/commercial payers: confirm state Medicaid or payer definition of technician qualifications, enrollment and credentialing before billing (state-specific).
Verify any certified technician on the BACB certificant registry.
Related guides for Maryland
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