Is Your 532 Program Ready for the 2026 BCBA Requirement? Here’s What You Need to Know—and What You Can Do About It
Big changes are coming to California’s behavioral day programs—and they could have a serious impact on your funding, staffing, and ability to serve participants.
By December 31, 2025, all 532 behavior day programs will be required to secure BCBA consultation for each participant, totaling 2 hours every 6 months per person. If your team is already grappling with attendance variability, hourly billing, and the ongoing staffing crisis, you’re not alone—and you’re not overreacting.
The Challenge? The Numbers Don’t Add Up.
This new mandate was introduced with the goal of improving behavioral support and expanding access to care. But for many programs, the financial reality of adding BCBA hours—without funding offsets—could be devastating.
If your program is funded hourly (as most are), late arrivals, early departures, and attendance gaps already limit your billing. Now, programs must also pay out-of-pocket for a consultant whose time isn’t reimbursed under the current 532 structure.
Programs across the state are facing:
Budget shortfalls due to consulting costs of $80–$125/hour.
Cuts to essential services to cover behavior consultation fees.
Potential service code changes, which could mean fewer participants served or program closure altogether.
What Can You Do? Speak Up.
Burgos Behavior has created a free, ready-to-use resource to help 532 programs write to DDS and advocate for critical funding adjustments. Whether you're looking to propose a daily rate option, request flexibility in consultation models, or raise awareness about access-to-care barriers, this guide gives you everything you need to write a clear, effective letter to DDS.
Includes:
A sample outline for your letter
Key talking points on financial impact
Options for proposed solutions
Contact info for where to send your letter
Get our free resource now and make your voice heard. Let DDS know that 532 programs want to improve services—but need realistic, sustainable support to do so.
Click to GET THE RESOURCE
