North Dakota saw 30 behavioral health providers added in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update. This represents a negligible share of the national total, indicating a smaller, more localized behavioral health market compared to larger states.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) sector, the data shows 5 RBT credentials were registered this week. Notably, there were 0 BCBA credentials added. This presents a critical challenge for ABA service delivery, as RBTs require direct supervision from BCBAs. The absence of new BCBAs in this week's registrations suggests that these RBTs must rely on the state's existing BCBA infrastructure or out-of-state supervisors, potentially straining current supervision capacity and limiting the growth of new ABA services. Beyond ABA-specific credentials, the registry also included professionals with credentials such as MS, CCC-SLP, LAPC, and MSW, LCSW, CRADC, reflecting a broader range of behavioral health disciplines.
Provider Demographics and Organizational Activity
Of the 25 individual providers registered, 22 (88%) are female and 3 (12%) are male, a gender distribution consistent with broader trends in the behavioral health field. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's registrations, suggesting a diverse and fragmented organizational landscape among new enrollees. The top cities for new providers include Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
The limited number of new providers, particularly the absence of new BCBAs alongside new RBTs, points to potential hurdles in expanding ABA access and building a robust, supervised ABA workforce in North Dakota.
