Montana added 14 behavioral health providers in the latest weekly CMS NPI registry update, representing 0% of the national total. This modest number is typical for a state with a smaller population base, indicating a steady but measured growth in its behavioral health workforce. All 14 providers are new to the NPI registry this year, comprising 8 individual providers and 6 organizations.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the ABA sector, Montana's new additions include 1 Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and 2 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). No individuals reported holding both BCBA and RBT credentials. This 1:2 BCBA-to-RBT ratio is lower than the typical 1:8 to 1:10 ratio often seen in more mature ABA markets, indicating a significant need for more BCBAs to ensure adequate supervision capacity for direct service providers. It's important to note that one provider is listed with both a Social Work Licensed Clinical (SWLC) credential and a Clinical Social Worker taxonomy, reflecting a dual qualification or specific licensing pathway. Beyond ABA, the new providers also include other crucial behavioral health professionals across various taxonomies like Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, and Speech-Language Pathologist, reflecting a diverse range of services.
Provider Demographics
Of the 8 individual providers added this week, the workforce is predominantly female, with women accounting for 75% (6 individuals). Male providers make up the remaining 25% (2 individuals). No specific organizations were noted as appearing multiple times in this week's update, suggesting a mix of independent practices and smaller organizational additions rather than expansion from large multi-state chains.
The limited number of new ABA professionals, particularly BCBAs, suggests that access to comprehensive ABA services in Montana may remain constrained, highlighting a continued need for workforce development in the state.
