Practice requirements for ABA providers in Texas
Last researched October 21, 2026
The internal processes a practice in Texas has to run before and after a technician starts. A practice, not MeetAllo, remains responsible for compliance.
Requirements for practices
- Facility or agency license
We could not verify this yet - check with the state health or licensing department.
- Background checks
We could not verify this yet - check with the state health or licensing department.
- Staff training
We could not verify this yet - check with the state health or licensing department.
- Other requirements
As of 2026-10-21, ABA providers must comply with the Texas Medicaid Provider Agreement, the current TMPPM, NCCI, and Texas Family Code ch. 261 (child abuse reporting). They are also subject to retrospective reviews (1 TAC § 354.5011(b)). Texas Medicaid ABA generally requires prior authorization, but an exception applies for re-evaluation; confirm the current scope of that exception in the TMPPM. For modifiers, the current TMPPM §2.3.12 permits informational HO/HN/HM modifiers on 97153/97154. CPT 97151 requires HO, and 97155/97156/97158 require the applicable HO or HN. HM is not mandatory on every BT claim; the BCBSTX FAQ (a 2018 document) lists HM as 'Behavior Technician'. The LBA remains the enrolled rendering provider for BT-delivered services.
Medicaid supervision and enrollment
- Provider enrollment
- https://www.tmhp.com/topics/provider-enrollment
- Supervision requirements
BT/LaBA practice in accordance with their national certification/registration requirements and as directed by the supervising LBA (or LaBA for BTs). Per the Superior HealthPlan MCO FAQ: indirect supervision activities are not reimbursable; only LBAs provide supervision under telehealth (97155) (see Superior HealthPlan source below).
Sources (7)
- 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 354.5011 Providers of ABA Services (Cornell LII, eff. 4/1/2025)
- 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 354.5011 Providers of ABA Services (Cornell LII, www)
- 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 354.5003 Definitions (Cornell LII)
- 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 354.5003 Definitions (Cornell LII, www)
- Superior HealthPlan - Medicaid ABA services
- Community Health Choice - Medicaid ABA Services (THSteps-CCP)
- TMHP - Provider Enrollment
National baseline for onboarding a technician
Items below are supported by BACB or regulator sources. Your state may add more.
- Verify RBT status on the BACB Certificant Registry (status, expiration, listed supervisor; red text means may not practice) or via portal verification report / $25 written verification.
- Ensure a qualified BCBA/BCaBA supervisor (with completed supervisor training 2.0) or RBT Requirements Coordinator lists the RBT as supervisee in their BACB portal before the RBT provides services as an RBT.
- Assign a supervisor/Coordinator for every client the RBT serves; no relation, employer-superior or multiple relationship with the RBT.
- Plan supervision: 5% of monthly service hours, at least two real-time contacts per month, one individual, one observation of services; document dates, durations, format, observations; retain 7 years.
- Criminal background check and abuse registry check comparable to those for home health aides/child care/teachers, within 180 days before the application is paid; fingerprinting may be required by state or organization.
- For applicants: have a BCBA/BCaBA Responsible Assessor (with 8-hour supervision training, same organization as applicant and clients, not related/subordinate/employed by the applicant at the time of assessment) complete the ICA after the 40-hour training; keep assessment records 7 years.
- Attesting Certificant for the application attestation must not be related to, subordinate to, or employed by the applicant.
- Correct worker classification (employee vs contractor) for RBTs; BACB may ask for a tax professional's written opinion in an ethics matter.
- For TRICARE ACD enrollment: RBT/ABAT/BCAT or state certification, current BLS/CPR, authorized ABA supervisor named, 10-year federal/state/county criminal and sex-offender history check.
- For Medicaid/commercial payers: confirm state Medicaid or payer definition of technician qualifications, enrollment and credentialing before billing (state-specific).
Verify any certified technician on the BACB certificant registry.
Related guides for Texas
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