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BCBA Weekly
BCBA Weekly
Plain-language updates for practicing BCBAs, new BCBAs, BCaBAs, RBTs and clinical directors. Each week we share what changed, when it takes effect, and one thing to do about it. Newest posts are at the top.
Educational information only, not legal, billing, or clinical advice.
BCBA Weekly: New ABA Billing Codes Start January 1, and the Dec. 31 Cutoff Is 10 Weeks Out
BCBA Weekly: New ABA Billing Codes Start January 1, and the Dec. 31 Cutoff Is 10 Weeks Out
Week of October 19, 2026
It was a quiet week for official news, but two dates are coming up fast. One changes how ABA services get coded. The other affects anyone close to applying for certification.
1. New ABA billing codes take effect January 1, 2027
1. New ABA billing codes take effect January 1, 2027
The adaptive behavior services codes are changing. The ABA Coding Coalition is made up of APBA, Autism Speaks, the BACB and CASP. It says the AMA approved six new CPT codes, revisions to codes 97151–97158, and new guidelines for using the code set. These changes take effect January 1, 2027.
CASP lists the six new codes as 97148, 97149, 97159, 97160, 97173 and 97180. It also says Category III codes 0362T and 0373T will be deleted. CASP is holding a webinar for providers called "New 2027 ABA CPT Codes: What Providers Need to Know" on Thursday, October 22, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern (9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Pacific). CASP lists it at 1.5 BACB Learning CEUs, and registration fees are nonrefundable.
What to do this week: If you handle billing, treatment plans or authorizations, ask your billing team and your EMR vendor how they're getting ready. Then check with each payer you work with on how and when they will use the new codes.
2. Reminder: the 2022-requirements cutoff is December 31
2. Reminder: the 2022-requirements cutoff is December 31
New BCBA and BCaBA certification requirements take effect January 1, 2027. To be reviewed under the 2022 requirements, the BACB says your complete application must be received by December 31, 2026. That includes payment and all required documents, and it's about 10 weeks away.
What to do this week: If you supervise someone who is close to finishing, pick a target date in November to have everything submitted. That leaves room to fix anything missing before the holidays.
New BCBA? Take our free self-assessment to see where to focus first: https://emmyaba.gumroad.com/l/tjyubq (Español: https://emmyaba.gumroad.com/l/zermoj)
Sources
CASP, "ABA Coding Coalition Announces AMA Approval of Code Change Application," Oct. 8, 2025: casproviders.org
CASP, "AMA Releases 2027 CPT Codeset," Sept. 10, 2026: casproviders.org
CASP, "New 2027 ABA CPT Codes: What Providers Need to Know" (webinar, Oct. 22, 2026): casproviders.org
BACB, "2027 BCBA and BCaBA Requirements: What You Need to Know," Aug. 11, 2026: bacb.com
Educational information only, not legal, billing, or clinical advice. — Alejandra Rodriguez-Barba, M.A., BCBA | Emmy ABA Services | info@emmyaba.com
BCBA Weekly: New Exam Pass Rates, a Tuesday Award Deadline, and the 2027 Cutoff
BCBA Weekly: New Exam Pass Rates, a Tuesday Award Deadline, and the 2027 Cutoff
Week of October 12, 2026
Three things from the BACB are worth your time this week. One has a deadline tomorrow.
1. The BACB posted 2025 university pass rates
1. The BACB posted 2025 university pass rates
On October 8, 2026, the BACB released its 2025 BCBA and BCaBA University Pass Rate Reports. They show first-time exam pass rates for qualifying programs.
The BCBA report gives a 2025 overall first-time pass rate of 51% across 9,955 first-time candidates. The BACB notes that 2025 was the first year of the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.), so the number may not compare cleanly with earlier years. In the report, ABAI-accredited programs had a mean pass rate of 79.3%, compared with 53.2% for other reported programs.
The BACB is clear that these numbers describe past results. They do not rank or endorse programs, and they do not predict how any one person will do.
What to do this week: If you supervise fieldwork or mentor students choosing a program, share the report. Encourage them to weigh cost, format, supports, and fieldwork too, as the BACB suggests.
2. Hemingway Award nominations close Tuesday
2. Hemingway Award nominations close Tuesday
The BACB is taking nominations for the 2027 Michael Hemingway Behavior Analysis Award. It honors a person known for public-policy work in behavior analysis, including expanding access to services. Nominations close at 5:00 p.m. MDT on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
What to do this week: If someone in your state has pushed for access or good policy, check the award page today. The window is almost shut.
3. Reminder: the 2027 requirements cutoff is December 31
3. Reminder: the 2027 requirements cutoff is December 31
This is not new, but the date is getting close. New BCBA and BCaBA certification requirements take effect January 1, 2027. To be reviewed under the 2022 requirements, the BACB says a complete application, including payment and all required documents, must be received by December 31, 2026.
What to do this week: If you supervise someone near the finish line, sit down with them now. Have them check the BACB's 2027 requirements pages and updated handbooks so nothing is missing at the last minute.
New BCBA? Take our free self-assessment to see where you stand: https://emmyaba.gumroad.com/l/tjyubq (Español: https://emmyaba.gumroad.com/l/zermoj)
Sources
BACB, "Now Available: 2025 BCBA and BCaBA University Pass Rate Reports," Oct. 8, 2026: bacb.com
BACB, 2025 BCBA University Pass Rates report (PDF), Oct. 2026: bacb.com
BACB, "Call for 2027 Hemingway Award Nominations," Sept. 15, 2026: bacb.com
BACB, "2027 BCBA and BCaBA Requirements: What You Need to Know," Aug. 11, 2026: bacb.com
Educational information only, not legal, billing, or clinical advice. — Alejandra Rodriguez-Barba, M.A., BCBA | Emmy ABA Services | info@emmyaba.com
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