Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
7950 Shaffer Parkway
Littleton, CO 80127
contact@bacb.com

Dear BACB Board of Directors,

We are writing to express our collective concern regarding the recent revisions to the 2027 BCBA and BCaBA coursework and continuing education requirements, particularly the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a distinct and required element.

As professionals, technicians, and trainees within the field of behavior analysis, we work with clients and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds every day. The removal of clearly defined DEI content—both as a continuing education category and from the coursework structure—risks weakening our field’s ability to uphold the highest standards of ethical, individualized, and culturally responsive care.

While we acknowledge the update to Ethics CEUs now allows for content on cultural and contextual responsiveness, this adjustment does not replace the critical need for direct and explicit DEI education. Framing these revisions as a “natural evolution” minimizes the original importance DEI held in our field. That content was not added lightly—it was rooted in research, advocacy, and the clear recognition that meaningful behavior-analytic practice must account for the cultural and personal variables that shape our clients’ experiences.

We are particularly troubled by the rationale that DEI-related requirements may risk the recognition of BACB certification programs by funders or regulators. Our standards should not be diluted to maintain political safety or external approval. Instead, they should reflect what is best for our clients and our science. DEI is not a political concept—it is a professional and ethical imperative.

Additionally, we are concerned by the limited transparency and involvement of certificants and practitioners in this process. While the newsletter references subject matter experts and stakeholder groups, many of us working in the field were unaware these changes were being considered, let alone finalized. We believe that decisions of this magnitude should be informed by inclusive dialogue, with broad representation from across the behavior analysis community.

These changes have created uncertainty for many of us. We entered this field because we believe in the power of behavior analysis to create meaningful change—and that includes advocating for fair, respectful, and equitable treatment for all individuals. It is disheartening to feel that the values we uphold in our practice may no longer be reflected in our certification requirements.

We respectfully urge the BACB to reconsider its decision to remove DEI as a clearly defined and required element of training and continuing education. At minimum, we ask for greater transparency, open dialogue with certificants, and a commitment to ensuring that cultural competence and equity remain integral to the future of behavior analysis.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of these concerns.

Sincerely,
Members of the Behavior Analysis Community