Arkansas added 31 behavioral health providers in the latest weekly CMS NPI registry update, representing 1% of the national total. This modest contribution indicates a steady, albeit smaller, growth trajectory for the state's behavioral health workforce compared to larger national trends.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis field, the update includes 9 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and 1 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). No providers were identified with dual BCBA and RBT credentials this week. The 9-to-1 ratio of RBTs to BCBAs suggests a significant need for supervisory capacity to support direct service delivery in the state. Beyond ABA, the new providers include 2 Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs), 1 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), 1 Qualified Behavioral Health Professional (QBHP), and 1 Speech-Language Pathologist (MCD CCC-SLP), indicating a diverse range of behavioral health additions.
Provider Demographics
Of the 23 individual providers added, the workforce is predominantly female, with 21 women accounting for 91%. Male providers comprise 2 individuals, or 9%. The update also includes 8 new organizations. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a broad distribution of new entities.
This week's data highlights a continued, albeit small, expansion of Arkansas's behavioral health workforce, with a particular emphasis on direct ABA service providers.
