Telehealth and telesupervision for ABA in Utah
Last researched October 21, 2026
Can a BCBA in Utah deliver or supervise ABA by video, and what licensure applies? Answers below say exactly how sure we are.
BCBA licensure
- State license required for BCBAs
Yes.
- License title
Behavior Analyst (LBA) / Assistant Behavior Analyst (LaBA) are license classifications; Behavior Specialist (RBS) / Assistant Behavior Specialist are registration classifications under Utah Code §58-61-703
- Board
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Behavioral Health Board
- Statute or rule
Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 61, Part 7 (Behavior Analyst Licensing Act), including §58-61-703; Administrative Rule R156-61a
- Fees and timeline
We could not verify this yet - check with Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Behavioral Health Board.
Sources (6)
- Utah DOPL: Psychology and Behavioral Analyst laws and rules
- Utah Medicaid ASD Services Provider Manual (references Title 58 Ch. 61 and R156-61a)
- Utah Code §58-61-703 (license or registration required to practice behavior analysis)
- Utah Admin. Code R156-1 (definitions of LBA, LaBA, RBS)
- Utah Public Notice: Psychologist Licensing Board listed as inactive
- Utah DOPL: Behavioral Health Board members (Psychology)
Telehealth and telesupervision
- ABA delivered by telehealth
Sometimes. See the detail below.
- Detail
As of 2026-10-21, the Utah Medicaid manual (Jan 2026) says that, when clinically appropriate, behavior identification assessments and supervision of an assistant behavior analyst or behavior technician may occur via remote access technology. Parent training via remote technology is covered when clinically appropriate (rule R414-42). Coverage requires synchronous two-way video and audio, and documentation must substantiate clinical appropriateness. A provider may deliver services or supervise only one member or one group session at a time.
- Telehealth parity law
Utah Code 31A-22-649.5 (Insurance parity for telemedicine services): individual, small-group and large-group health plans must cover specified telemedicine services, including covered mental-health treatment when the plan determines the appropriate standard of care is met. This is conditional coverage parity. It is not a universal equal-payment requirement: network reimbursement is at a negotiated commercially reasonable rate. It is also not a blanket authorization for every ABA service. Section 31A-22-642 alone does not resolve this question.
- In-person requirements
Not covered via telehealth under Medicaid: adaptive behavior treatment administered by a technician, group adaptive behavior treatment administered by a technician, and group adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification by a QHP. Direct technician therapy is therefore not covered via telehealth under Medicaid.
- Supervision by telehealth
Allowed under Utah Medicaid when clinically appropriate (see detail), via synchronous two-way video and audio.
National baseline: BACB telesupervision
Handbook: in-person on-site observation is preferred, but observation 'may be conducted via web cameras, video-conferencing, or similar means'; internet-based supervision must comply with all applicable laws; video monitoring alone without real-time interaction/feedback may not count. Phone or email contacts do not count as the face-to-face contacts. Payer/state rules can be stricter (CMS toolkit says telehealth should be a limited adjunct and 'generally avoided' for routine technician supervision; that is CMS guidance to states, not a BACB rule).
This is the BACB's certification rule for RBT supervision. State, Medicaid or payer rules can be stricter. High confidence for the BACB text as of 2026-10-21.
Related guides for Utah
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