Finding a qualified ABA therapist in Georgia starts with understanding who is actually providing your child's therapy, what credentials they're required to have, and what questions to ask before you commit to a programme.
This guide covers exactly that — Georgia's insurance mandate, how the BCBA and RBT roles work, what to look for when evaluating a provider, and how Blossom ABA supports families across the state.
What credentials should an ABA therapist in Georgia have?
Georgia does not have a state-specific licensing board for behavior analysts, but it does have a clear insurance requirement under House Bill 429: for ABA therapy to be covered by private insurance, services must be provided by or supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).¹
A BCBA holds a master's degree in behavior analysis or a related field, has completed supervised fieldwork hours, and has passed the national certification exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This credential is nationally standardized — a BCBA in Georgia has met the same requirements as a BCBA in any other state.
Day-to-day therapy is typically delivered by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), a paraprofessional who works under the BCBA's supervision. The BCBA designs your child's treatment plan, supervises the RBT's implementation, reviews data, and adjusts the programme based on your child's progress. Both roles are essential — the RBT is who your child sees most, but the BCBA is who makes the clinical decisions.
When evaluating any provider, confirm:
That a credentialed BCBA will supervise your child's programme — not just be listed on paperwork
How frequently the BCBA observes sessions and meets with the family
That the RBT providing direct therapy holds current BACB registration
Ava's Law: Georgia's insurance mandate for ABA therapy
Georgia's Ava's Law, which took effect July 1, 2015, requires private insurers licensed in the state to cover ABA therapy and other evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder.¹ The coverage requirement applies to children diagnosed with ASD.
Key things families should know about Ava's Law:
It applies to private insurance plans regulated by the Georgia Insurance Commissioner — employer self-funded plans are governed by federal ERISA rules and may differ
Coverage must include ABA therapy when medically necessary and recommended by a licensed physician or psychologist
Insurers may require prior authorization before services begin — your provider should assist with this process
Coverage limits and co-pays vary by plan — always confirm your specific benefits before starting
If your child is covered by Georgia Medicaid (Georgia Families or PeachCare for Kids), ABA therapy is also a covered benefit for eligible children with an autism diagnosis. Georgia Medicaid-covered ABA does not require Ava's Law, as it operates under federal Medicaid rules rather than state insurance mandates.
For a detailed breakdown of which insurers Blossom accepts in Georgia, see our Georgia insurance and ABA coverage page.
What to look for when choosing an ABA provider in Georgia
The credential check is the floor, not the ceiling. Beyond confirming that a provider employs BCBAs, these are the questions that actually distinguish high-quality ABA from adequate-on-paper ABA:
How quickly can we start? Waitlists are a real problem across Georgia. A provider who can give you a realistic start date — and who verifies your insurance and handles prior authorization themselves — removes significant burden from families who are already navigating a new diagnosis.
Where does therapy happen? Some providers work exclusively in clinic settings. Others offer in-home ABA, which means your child receives therapy in the environment where they actually live — the kitchen table, the backyard, the morning routine. Both approaches have evidence behind them; the right choice depends on your child's goals and your family's circumstances. Blossom provides both in-home ABA and center-based ABA at our Riverdale, Georgia clinic.
How involved will we be? Parent training isn't optional in quality ABA — it's how skills generalize from sessions into daily life. Ask specifically whether parent training is built into the treatment plan and how that time is structured.
How is progress measured and shared? A good provider tracks data at every session and shares progress transparently with families. You should be able to see how your child is moving toward specific goals, not just receive a monthly summary.
What happens when goals are met — or aren't? Treatment plans should evolve as your child grows. Ask how frequently programmes are reviewed and what triggers a plan update.
ABA therapy in Georgia: where Blossom serves
Blossom ABA Therapy provides in-home and center-based ABA across Georgia, with no waitlist and most insurances accepted — including Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, and CareSource.
Our Riverdale clinic serves families in Riverdale, Jonesboro, Morrow, Forest Park, Stockbridge, Fayetteville, and College Park: Riverdale ABA Therapy Center.
Our Peachtree Corners clinic serves Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Berkeley Lake, Johns Creek, Duluth, and Gwinnett and North Fulton counties: Peachtree Corners ABA Therapy Center.
In-home ABA is available statewide across Metro Atlanta and coastal Georgia, including Atlanta, Savannah, Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Smyrna, Decatur, and many more Georgia communities.
If you're ready to take the next step — or you want to understand your insurance options before committing — our team is ready to help you get started.
ABA therapists across Blossom's service states
Georgia is the only state in Blossom's service area with both a CDC ADDM surveillance site and two physical ABA clinic locations — which means the data and the infrastructure are here in a way they aren't elsewhere. If someone in your family is in a different state, or you're comparing options across state lines, the provider landscape and insurance rules look different in each:
ABA Therapists in Tennessee — no standalone ABA insurance mandate, but TennCare covers ABA and most major private insurers follow federal parity rules
ABA Therapists in Virginia — the strictest credentialing state in Blossom's service area; BCBAs must hold both BACB certification and a Virginia state license
ABA Therapists in North Carolina — Medicaid expanded in December 2023, significantly broadening who qualifies for covered ABA
ABA Therapists in Maryland — no annual cap on ABA coverage and no age limit, making Maryland one of the more generous private insurance mandate states
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia require ABA therapists to be licensed?
Georgia does not have a state-specific behavior analyst license. However, House Bill 429 requires that ABA therapy be provided by or supervised by a BCBA for private insurance to cover services. The BCBA credential is issued by the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board and is the recognized standard across all states.
Does Georgia Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Georgia Medicaid, including Georgia Families and PeachCare for Kids, covers ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Coverage is separate from Ava's Law, which applies to private insurance. Eligibility and specific coverage details vary — contact Blossom to verify your child's Medicaid plan.
What is Ava's Law in Georgia?
Ava's Law, effective July 1, 2015, requires private insurance companies licensed in Georgia to cover ABA therapy and other evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder. It applies to private plans regulated by the Georgia Insurance Commissioner. Employer self-funded plans may operate under different federal rules.
What is the difference between a BCBA and an RBT?
A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) holds a master's degree, completed supervised hours, and passed a national exam. They design your child's treatment plan, supervise therapy, and make all clinical decisions. An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) delivers the direct one-on-one therapy sessions under the BCBA's supervision. Your child will spend most session time with their RBT, while the BCBA oversees the programme and meets regularly with your family.
How do I start ABA therapy in Georgia with Blossom?
Contact our team through the get started page or call (877) 315-1069. We verify your insurance, handle prior authorization, and can typically begin services without a long wait. Blossom accepts Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare, CareSource, and most major private insurers.
Sources:
Georgia House Bill 429 / Ava's Law — Georgia Department of Insurance or direct statute. Verify current coverage age limits before publishing: https://oci.georgia.gov/
