Rhode Island saw 26 behavioral health providers added in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update. This represents less than 1% of the national total, a concentration expected for a smaller state, indicating modest but ongoing growth in its behavioral health sector.
ABA Workforce Snapshot
Focusing on applied behavior analysis (ABA) credentials, the data shows 2 BCBA credentials and 1 RBT credential among the new registrations. There were no individuals holding both BCBA and RBT credentials in this update. This ratio of two BCBAs to one RBT is unusual for the ABA field, where RBTs typically outnumber BCBAs significantly to provide direct services under supervision. The low RBT count suggests a limited influx of new direct service providers this week, which could impact the expansion of ABA service capacity if this trend were to persist.
Provider Demographics
Of the 20 individual providers registered, 18 are female, accounting for 90%, while 2 are male, representing 10%. This gender distribution aligns with broader trends observed across the behavioral health industry. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's new registrations, indicating a diverse range of smaller entities or individual practitioners contributing to the state's provider base.
This week's data suggests a minimal expansion in ABA-specific roles, with a notable imbalance in the BCBA-to-RBT ratio among new providers, potentially signaling a slower growth in direct service capacity for the state.
