Hawaii added 12 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update, representing less than 1% of the national weekly total. This modest number suggests a measured growth rate for new behavioral health professionals entering the state's workforce.
ABA and Clinical Workforce
Within the applied behavior analysis field, the update includes 6 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Notably, there were no new Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or individuals with dual BCBA+RBT credentials this week. This imbalance, with RBTs entering without corresponding BCBA supervisors, highlights a potential bottleneck for ABA service expansion, as RBTs require direct supervision from BCBAs. Beyond ABA, the update also shows 2 Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), indicating growth in broader mental health services.
Demographics and Organizational Presence
Of the 9 individual providers, women constitute the majority, accounting for 78% of the total, with men making up 22%. The update also includes 3 new organizations. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a mix of independent practices or single-location expansions rather than multi-site growth from larger chains.
The current influx of RBTs without new BCBAs points to a need for increased supervisory capacity to support direct ABA service delivery in Hawaii.
