New Mexico's behavioral health sector saw 147 new providers added to the CMS NPI registry, contributing 2% of the national weekly total. With 48 new enrollments this week, this steady, albeit smaller, influx reflects ongoing efforts to bolster the state's behavioral health workforce.
ABA Workforce Dynamics
Within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) field, the data shows 6 BCBA credentials and 24 RBT credentials. It is important to note that these are distinct roles, with Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) providing direct therapy under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). No providers in this update held both credentials. The 4:1 ratio of RBTs to BCBAs indicates a significant demand for direct service providers, emphasizing the crucial role of BCBAs in supervising and maintaining the quality of ABA services across the state. This ratio suggests that while the front-line workforce is growing, the supervisory capacity needs to keep pace to support comprehensive ABA service delivery.
Provider Demographics and Organizations
Of the 115 individual providers, the workforce is predominantly female, with 70% identifying as female, 23% as male, and 7% as nonbinary. Among organizations, El Calvario Community and Immigrant Advocacy Center (Gastro Emprende) was a notable entity, appearing 2 times in the registry, suggesting its active involvement in providing services in the state.
This consistent, yet measured, growth in New Mexico's behavioral health workforce, particularly in the foundational RBT role, is essential for expanding access to critical services and addressing the state's behavioral health needs.
