Becoming a

Registered Behavior Technician ®

The Registered Behavior Technician^® (RBT^®) is a paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. RBTs assist in delivering behavior analysis services and practice under the direction and close supervision of an RBT Supervisor and/or an RBT Requirements Coordinator responsible for all work RBTs perform.

Completing this 40 hour course covering the 2nd edition task list is only one of the components required in order to apply for certification. Please see the Behavior Analysis Certification Board website for more information on the application process.

Please note: To align with the BACB’s requirements for the 40 hour RBT training, “The cumulative duration of your training must be at least 40 hours. The training must be completed within a 180-day period and in no less than a 5-day period.”

For more information please see the RBT 40 Hour Training Packet.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age

Have a High School Diploma

Complete this 40-hours RBT training

Pass a Background Check

Complete a Competency Assessment

Frequently asked questions

What is a Registered Behavior Technician or RBT?

A registered behavior technician is a nationally recognized registry of individuals who function as behavior interventionists and practice Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

If you have specific questions about RBT certification, contact the Behavior Analyst Certification Board at RBT@bacb.com or 720-438-4321, (Monday to Friday) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain time.

Who is this training for?

This training is for anyone who would like more information on evidence-based ways to teach their child or clients using principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. The training is suitable for adults ages 18 and up with a high school equivalent degree. It is designed to complete training standards for a BACB Registered Behavior Technician, but is offered independent of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

Note: This training is offered exclusively in English.

How Long is this training?

The training includes just over 40 hours of lecture and lessons. It can be completed at your own pace via an internet accessible personal computer or tablet. The BACB requires that you complete your RBT training within 180 days. To earn a valid certificate that you can use to apply for the RBT registry, you must complete your course within 180 days. Extensions are not available. Individual time to complete the course will vary as the amount of time spent on quiz questions and reviewing content will be particular to each user. The minimum amount of time spent in the course will be 40 hours.

Once I complete this training, am I an RBT?

NO!

Once you complete this online training you ARE NOT a “Registered Behavior Technician”. After completing training, you will need to complete an application process, pass an initial competency assessment (conducted by a BCBA), and pass the national RBT examination (provided through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) in order to become a “Registered Behavior Technician”.

For information on the written exam visit the BACB RBT Exam website.

All RBTs must be supervised by a BCBA or a BCaBA. You cannot operate without a Board Certified Behavior analyst supervising you. It is potentially dangerous as well as unethical to provide therapy independently.

Completing this training DOES NOT authorize you to imply that you are qualified to provide any kind of therapy autonomously (i.e., by yourself, without supervision).

Once I complete the training, what are the next steps to become an RBT?

The next step is to work with your BCBA supervisor to schedule a Initial Competency Assessment of your abilities to implement the procedures that you learned about in the 40 hour online training. Once you “pass” the assessment, you can send your application to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and schedule your written exam.

**Please note** There is a fee involved with the application. More information can be found at bacb.com/rbt

If you have specific questions about RBT certification, contact the Behavior Analyst Certification Board at RBT@bacb.com or 720-438-4321, (Monday to Friday) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain time.

Where do I find a BCBA to supervise me?

You may contact us directly at (305) 699 2002 or by filling out the “Contact Us” form to inquire about conducting a initial competency assessment with one of our BCBAs. You may also pay for the Assessment ahead of time using out form bellow.

A registry of BCBAs is available through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board through their Find a Certificant page. You can see a list of BCBAs willing to provide supervision and email them through the registry to ask if they are looking to hire interventionist (many are, most states are in great need of behavior interventionists).