Washington state saw a total of 210 behavioral health providers added or updated in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update, representing 2% of the national total for the week. This consistent contribution underscores Washington's ongoing efforts to expand its behavioral health workforce, with 89 new providers added this week alone and 96 new providers added this year, including both individuals and organizations.
Credential Mix and Capacity
Delving into specific credentials, the data shows 5 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 30 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Notably, 1 provider holds both BCBA and RBT credentials, indicating a career progression or specialized role. While the RBT count suggests a robust entry-level workforce ready to provide direct care, the BCBA-to-RBT ratio of 1:6 highlights the critical need for qualified supervisors to ensure high-quality ABA services and support RBT development in the state. The registry also captured a diverse range of other credentials, including 8 LMHCs and 8 LICSWs, reflecting a broader behavioral health landscape beyond ABA.
Workforce Demographics and Key Players
The individual provider demographic breakdown reveals a workforce predominantly composed of women, with 143 female providers making up 78% of individual entries. Men constitute 35 providers, or 19%, while 6 nonbinary providers account for 3%. This gender distribution is typical across many behavioral health fields. Among organizations, "COLUMBIA RIVER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES" and "PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES" each appeared 2 times, suggesting they are significant employers or have multiple service lines registered within the state. The primary urban centers of activity include Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Tacoma, and Everett.
This data indicates a growing, though supervision-intensive, ABA workforce in Washington, alongside a broader behavioral health community, suggesting a continued push for increased access to diverse services.
