Georgia faces crisis as ABA licensing delays threaten care

During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the licensure processes for behavior analysts and security personnel in Georgia.

Holly Benincosa, Executive Director of the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), highlighted the challenges faced by behavior analysts in the state. She expressed worries about the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board's current focus on only certifying practitioners from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which could potentially exclude QABA credentialed professionals. This exclusion could lead to a shortage of qualified behavior analysts, particularly affecting families relying on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. Benincosa emphasized the importance of including QABA representatives on the licensing board to ensure fair access to licensure and prevent a backlog in services, which could force families to seek care out of state.

In a parallel discussion, Richard Evans, Senior Vice President of Allied Universal Security Services, addressed the delays in the licensing process for security personnel. He reported that applicants are facing wait times of up to 16 weeks, significantly exceeding the state's advertised 20-day processing timeframe. Evans warned that these delays could jeopardize public safety, particularly as his company employs a large number of armed security personnel across critical infrastructure sites in Georgia. He called for a reassessment of the licensing procedures to expedite the credentialing process and prevent future backlogs.

Both speakers underscored the urgent need for collaboration between their respective industries and the licensing boards to ensure that qualified professionals can continue to serve the community effectively. The discussions reflect broader concerns about the impact of regulatory processes on essential services in Georgia, particularly in the fields of behavior analysis and security.