Missouri added 38 behavioral health providers in the latest weekly CMS update, representing 1% of the national total. This modest share suggests a steady, rather than surging, growth in the state's behavioral health workforce, with all new enrollments occurring this week.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis field, the data shows 16 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) newly enrolled, primarily identified by their taxonomy. One individual explicitly listed RBT as a credential, demonstrating a slight overlap in how these roles are categorized. Notably, there were no Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) among the new providers this week, nor any individuals with dual BCBA and RBT credentials. This absence of new BCBAs, coupled with the influx of RBTs, highlights a potential imbalance in the ABA workforce, indicating a growing need for supervisory capacity in Missouri.
Provider Demographics
Of the 33 individual providers, the workforce is predominantly female, with women accounting for 79% (26 individuals). Male providers comprise 21% (7 individuals). The remaining 5 providers are organizations. The new providers are concentrated in cities like Saint Louis and Kansas City, alongside more rural areas such as Poplar Bluff and Potosi. No organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data.
The current trend of RBT growth without corresponding BCBA additions suggests that while direct service capacity is expanding, the critical supervisory infrastructure for ABA services in Missouri may face increasing strain.
