Verified Course Sequence Program
A Verified Course Sequence (VCS) is a set of courses that has been verified by the Association for Behavior Analysis International as meeting specific coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards.
The VCS system is sunsetting on December 31, 2025. ABAI is no longer accepting NEW BACB VCS applications as of January 1, 2025.
Important VCS Update
ABAI and the BACB will discontinue the BACB VCS system on January 1, 2026. At that time, programs offering behavior analytic coursework may continue to do so and students can still use that coursework to apply for the BCBA and BCaBA examinations via Pathway 2, using the BACB’s coursework attestation process. Applicants will need to meet the BACB’s coursework requirements in place at the time they apply. ABAI will continue to renew and manage active VCSs through December 31, 2025. Neither ABAI nor BACB will verify programs under the BACB’s 2027 coursework requirements, as the coursework attestation process will be in effect at that time. Programs planning to meet ABAI’s Tiered Model of Education requirements should refer to ABAI’s Tiered Model standards and resources.
Please see the new and updates page for further details including the ABAI-BACB Joint Announcement about the VCS system.
Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Completion of 5th Edition VCS coursework meets the BACB's current coursework eligibility criteria (Pathway 2) for either BCBA or BCaBA examination applications. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination. New coursework requirements for Pathway 2 applications for BCBA and BCaBA eligibility take effect January 1, 2027. Please refer to the BACB's website for eligibility requirements and upcoming changes to BACB examination eligibility.
If seeking BACB certification, please refer to the BACB's website to review the BCBA and BCaBA eligibility requirements and review the respective handbook prior to beginning coursework, fieldwork, and examination applications. Additional information about upcoming changes to certification eligibility and standards are also available on the BACB's website.
VCS Content Hour Requirements for Fifth Edition BACB Examination Applications (Implementation: 2022)
*For the purpose of establishing instructional requirements that can be applied globally, 1 semester credit hour will represent 15 hours of classroom instruction, and 1 quarter credit hour will represent 10 hours of classroom instruction. This conversion is based on US Federal Rule. Note: The above tables, requirements, and information are based on the BACB's BCBA and BCaBA Handbooks.