Louisiana's behavioral health sector saw 37 new providers added in the latest CMS NPI registry update, representing 1% of the national weekly total. With 124 total providers now listed, including 46 new this year, the state demonstrates consistent, albeit modest, growth in its behavioral health workforce. This steady influx suggests an ongoing effort to meet demand for services across the state.
Credential Mix and Supervision Capacity
Louisiana's ABA workforce includes 7 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 15 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) by credential. One of these BCBAs also holds a state-level LBA license, signifying adherence to state-specific regulations. Additionally, 1 provider holds a BCABA credential. Notably, there are no providers holding both BCBA and RBT credentials, which suggests distinct career entry points rather than a common progression path from technician to supervisor. This ratio of RBTs to BCBAs highlights a potential need for increased supervisory capacity to effectively support the growing RBT base and expand access to ABA services.
Workforce Demographics and Organizational Presence
Among the 112 individual providers, the workforce is predominantly female, with 89% women (100 individuals). Male providers account for 10 individuals (9%), while 2 individuals identify as nonbinary (2%). This gender distribution is typical for the behavioral health field. Of the 12 organizations listed, NO AIDS TASK FORCE appeared twice, indicating its multi-faceted presence in Louisiana's behavioral health landscape.
Overall, this data points to a developing behavioral health workforce in Louisiana, with a particular emphasis on RBT growth, underscoring the critical need for continued investment in BCBA development to enhance ABA therapy accessibility.
