Public Policy, Legislation, and Licensure in Nevada: Lessons Learned

Abstract

In recent decades, behavior analysts have become involved in public policy and legislative efforts to protect the practice of the profession at state and national levels, as well as to support and protect the consumers of behavior analytic services. In the state of Nevada, these efforts have been ongoing since the introduction and passage of Nevada Assembly Bill (NAB) 162, establishing insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder, in 2009. As a result, legislation establishing the regulation of the profession of behavior analysis was passed and subsequently amended over multiple legislative sessions. This article discusses various lessons learned throughout the ongoing licensing and regulatory process in Nevada, with hope of providing a resource for behavior analysts that are involved in public policy.