Webinar Series
Don’t Go to Sleep. What Behavior Analysts Need to Know and Do After A Licensure Law Goes Into Effect
Gordon Bourland (Trinity Behavioral Associates)
Date: April 15, 2025
Abstract: This presentation addresses what behavior analysts should be prepared to do to make sure that on an ongoing basis behavior analyst licensure laws protect the public and behavior analysts. Some behavior analysts appear unaware that once a behavior analyst licensure law is enacted, their continuing vigilance and engagement regarding the law and its implementation are necessary. Behavior analysts need to know about and address possible changes related to behavior analyst licensure that can affect how well the public is protected. They should be prepared to engage with government officials in an informed way relative to any possible changes to the relevant laws and regulations. Of particular relevance in this regard are: (1) Making regulations or rules to implement the licensure law; (2). Changing regulations or rules implementing the licensure law; (3.) Changing or eliminating the licensure law; (4.) Sunset reviews. These public policy processes and how they impact the public and behavior analysts concerning the practice of behavior analysis will be discussed with recent examples provided. Suggestions will be offered for behavior analysts addressing factors relevant to behavior analyst licensure once it has been established.
Instruction Level: Intermediate
Biography: Dr. Gordon Bourland he received his Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1977. Subsequently he was a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Disabilities from the John F. Kennedy Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Behavioral Psychology. Dr. Bourland’s contributions to the field of behavior analysis are many. Over a career of 50 years, he has provided behavior analysis services to people with a wide variety of strengths, needs, and diagnoses, in a variety of public and private settings. With more than 30 articles and technical reports, he has also served as a guest reviewer, Associate Editor and/or Guest Associate Editor for half a dozen journal and recently well as Guest Co-Editor of an upcoming special issue of Behavior Analysis in Practice on behavior analysts involvement in public policy activities. His record of volunteer service stretches over four decades, and includes service to the Special Olympics; the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis (TxABA) where he has held multiple offices including President twice; the TxABA Public Policy Group, serving as the initial President; the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) where he has been Coordinator of the Affiliate Chapters Board, Chair of the Behavior Analyst Credentialing and Licensing Committee and served on multiple task forces; Behavior Analyst Advisory Board of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation serving as the initial Presiding Officer; Vice President of the World Behavior Analysis Day Alliance, which celebrates World Behavior Analysis Day on March 20, B. F. Skinner’s birthday; and the ABAI Behavioral Gerontology Special Interest Group serving as Consumer Representative. His work with state legislatures in support of various licensing acts and laws has addressed the importance of licensure within the field and how to best incorporate common-sense regulations into state laws. Through his leadership on the ABAI Affiliate Chapter Board and the ABAI Behavior Analyst Credentialing and Licensing Committee, he has been an active contributor to the establishment of ABA licensing laws in numerous states in the United States including in his home state, Texas. Dr. Bourland is the principal/proprietor for Trinity Behavioral Associates in Arlington, Texas. He has served as an invited lecturer or adjunct faculty member at Marietta College, McNeese State University, University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington, West Virginia University, and Washington Technical College and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Abilene Christian University as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the Applied Behavior Analysis program in the College of Education & Human Development at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Learning Center Video and Quiz