Missouri saw 59 new behavioral health providers added in the latest weekly CMS NPI registry update, representing 1% of the national total. This modest share suggests a steady, localized growth in the state's behavioral health sector rather than a rapid expansion, which can be typical for states with developing but not yet saturated ABA markets.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis field, the data shows 6 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 20 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). It is important to note that credential counts can overlap, as one individual holds both BCBA and RBT credentials, a common pathway for career progression from direct service provider to supervisor. This approximately 3.3-to-1 ratio of RBTs to BCBAs indicates a healthy supervisory capacity, crucial for maintaining quality ABA services as the workforce expands.
Provider Demographics
Among the 48 individual providers, the workforce remains predominantly female, with 43 individuals identifying as female, comprising 90% of the total. Four providers are male (8%), and one identifies as nonbinary (2%). No organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a diverse array of smaller, independent practices or new branches rather than significant expansion from large multi-state chains.
This week's data points to a consistent, albeit measured, expansion of Missouri's ABA workforce, particularly in direct service roles, which is vital for improving access to care across the state.
