§ 90-732.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Behavior analysis. - The design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic instructional and environmental modifications to produce significant personal or interpersonal improvements in human behavior.

(2) Behavior technician. - A paraprofessional who delivers applied behavior analysis services and who practices under the close, ongoing supervision of a licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst, or other professional licensed under this Chapter or Chapter 90B of the General Statutes, so long as the services of the licensed professional are within the scope of practice of the license possessed by that licensed professional, and the services performed are commensurate with the licensed professional's education, training, and experience. The behavior technician does not design assessment or intervention plans or procedures but delivers services as assigned by a supervisor who is responsible for the behavior technician's work.

(3) Board. - The North Carolina Behavior Analyst Board.

(4) Certifying entity. - The nationally accredited Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or its successor, or the nationally accredited Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, or its successor.

(5) Institution of higher education. - A university, college, professional school, or other institution accredited in the United States, Canada, or other country. For the purposes of this subdivision, accreditation shall be granted by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or comparable official organization having accreditation authority.

(6) Licensed assistant behavior analyst. - An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst and has been issued a license under this Article that (i) is active, (ii) is not suspended or revoked, and (iii) permits the individual to engage in the practice of behavior analysis under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst.

(7) Licensed behavior analyst. - An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been issued a license under this Article that is active and not suspended or revoked.

(8) Practice of behavior analysis. - The practice of behavior analysis includes the empirical identification of functional relations between behavior and environmental factors known as functional assessment and analysis. Behavior analysis interventions are based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of behavior and the environment. In the practice of behavior analysis, behavior analysts utilize contextual factors, motivating operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcement, and other consequences to help people develop new behaviors, increase or decrease existing behaviors, and emit behaviors under specific environmental conditions. The practice of behavior analysis expressly excludes psychological testing, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, and long-term counseling as treatment modalities. (2021-22, s. 1(a); 2023-129, s. 4.1.)