How to become a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

Like any profession, the process of becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (also known as a RBT) is not necessarily a simple one, but it can be done! Here at www.abasource.com, we pride ourselves in providing you the must up to date information on the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). We have gone ahead and done the tedious work of reading through the BACB latest requirements on how to become a RBT and have broken it down into laymen’s terms for you! So, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?

Requirements

Before we start, it is important we make sure you meet all the requirements needed to be eligible to apply as a RBT, through the BACB. If you meet the following requirements, continue reading!

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to pass a background check (you may get this done at your local police station)
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (ex. GED)

40 Hour Training

Now that we are clear on the requirements, you may begin your journey! Your first step will be completing what is known as a “40-hour training”. Your 40-hour training can be done in person or online (you may complete your entire RBT certification by clicking here. What is most important to note here, is that the 40-hour training must be completed within 180 days from start to finish. Otherwise, you will have to repeat the course over.  Once you have gone through the training, you will receive a certificate of completion. This document will be one of the documents you’ll need to upload to your BACB account (we will go over this later).

Competency Assessment

Up next on your journey you have what we call a “competency assessment”. I have found many RBT candidates become immediately intimidated by this assessment. In fact, when I think back on my own process, I also recall being just as nervous. So, if I may, I would like to ease your nerves by telling you a bit more about what the assessment consists of. To put it simply, the competency assessment takes the concepts you learned in your 40-hour training and gives you the opportunity to work them hands-on. For example, in the 40-hour training, you learned (or will learn) how to take duration and frequency of a behavior. The competency assessment will then give you the opportunity to take duration and frequency on a client or a person role-playing as your client. (If you do not feel confident in your abilities to sit for their competency assessment just yet, you may take our live assessment online training to boost your confidence.) Once you have proved you can perform and understand all the concepts in the RBT Initial Competency Assessment, with the assessing Board Certified Behavior Analyst. they will be able to sign you off on the assessment form. You will also need to upload this form to your BACB account later on (we help you with this).

Submit application/Register for RBT board exam

Once you have an active account with the BACB, upload your 40-hour training certificate, competency assessment, high school diploma, and supervisor’s certification number. There is a $50 application fee to submit to the BACB. Once submitted, allow up to two weeks for your application to process. When your application has been accepted you will receive an e-mail from the BACB with a link to sign up for the board exam. The RBT board exam costs $45 each time the exam is taken and may be taken through Pearson Vue testing centers.