How to become an RBT
Last researched October 21, 2026. Applications and recertifications on/after 2026-01-01 (RBT 2026 requirements; exam on RBT Test Content Outline 3rd ed.). Handbook: applicants must meet the requirements in place at the time of application.
A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is the BACB credential for people who deliver ABA under a supervisor. 'Behavior technician' (BT) is a generic job title for a person who implements ABA treatment plans under a BCBA/BCaBA. The BACB documents reviewed define the RBT credential but do not define 'BT' as a regulated title. In this product, BT = a person doing (or preparing to do) technician work, RBT = BACB-certified BT.
The seven steps
Step 1: Eligibility: age and education
At least 18 years old when submitting the application; at least a high school education or equivalent. Confirmed by an Attesting Certificant on the RBT Certification Application Attestation form (confirmation no more than 180 days before applying; form signed no more than 90 days before paying the application fee). The Attesting Certificant may not be related to, subordinate to, or employed by the applicant.
Step 2: Criminal background check and abuse registry check
Both must be completed and passed no more than 180 days before paying for the application, comparable to those required for home health aides, child care professionals and teachers in the community where services will be provided. If an organization uses continuous monitoring, the most recent result date may be entered even if older than 180 days. The BACB does not require fingerprinting, but 'this requirement may vary by state and organization'. If the state has no abuse registry or it is unavailable, 'Unavailable' may be indicated on the attestation form.
- Who pays
- Not stated by BACB. Cost unverified.
Step 3: 40-hour training
Must meet the 'RBT 2026 40-Hour Training Requirements and Curriculum Outline'. Must be completed in no fewer than 5 days and no more than 180 days (start and end dates count; example in handbook: start Jan 1 -> earliest end Jan 5). May be offered by an employer, a university or an online program. The BACB does not provide the training, certificates or provider recommendations. Training provider may not be related to, subordinate to, or employed by the applicant. Certificate of completion is uploaded with the application. BACB publishes a document 'RBT Examination Pass Rates for 40-Hour Training Providers: 2024' (linked from the handbook; not opened).
- Typical cost (estimate)
- $29 to 375 (vendor-listed, one-time or subscription)
Step 4: Initial Competency Assessment (ICA)
Effective Jan 1, 2026 packet. Must be done after finishing the 40-hour training and no more than 90 days before submitting the certification application. 19 tasks must all be completed; three tasks in the Skill Acquisition and Behavior Reduction section must be demonstrated with a client. Other tasks can be with a client, role-play or live interview depending on task. May be done over one or more sessions, in person, live via the internet, or via observation of recorded videos made specifically for the assessment. If a task isn't competent, corrective feedback and reassessment on another day is allowed.
- Typical cost (estimate)
- $0 to 150 (secondary claim); often free when done by the employer at onboarding
Step 5: BACB portal account and application
Create a BACB portal account (legal name must match government ID exactly; use personal email; do not share account with employer). Start the RBT Certification Application; upload (a) attestation form, (b) 40-hour training certificate, (c) completed ICA. Application is active for 90 days; if requirements not met in 90 days, must reapply and pay again. Applicant must disclose certain health conditions/disciplinary history; a 'yes' triggers an Ethics Self-Reporting Statement review and application hold. BACB asks for 'two weeks' processing, in order received.
- BACB fee
- $65 certification application processing fee (2026), nonrefundable/nontransferable. Veterans with GI Bill may be reimbursed for BACB exam fees.
Step 6: Pearson VUE exam
After approval you get an email to schedule; you have one year from approval to sit. 85 multiple-choice questions (75 scored, 10 unscored), 90 minutes, English only, computer-based at Pearson VUE sites (US, Canada except Quebec and Ontario; Australia until Jan 1, 2027). Scheduled by the candidate directly with Pearson VUE.
- BACB fee
- $45 Pearson VUE appointment fee for every attempt.
Step 7: Activation: supervisor adds RBT as supervisee
After passing, certificate email arrives within approximately 24 hours and the person appears on the BACB Certificant Registry within ~24 hours. Status is INACTIVE until the RBT Supervisor and/or RBT Requirements Coordinator adds them as a supervisee in the supervisor's BACB portal account. While inactive the RBT cannot use the certification 'under any circumstances'. Employers/funders verify via the registry (free) or BACB written verification ($25).
What it costs
Mandatory BACB fees add up to $110. $65 application + $45 first exam appointment = $110, before training, background check or ICA costs and before any retakes ($45 each). Training and assessment costs vary by provider, and many employers cover them. Treat all non-BACB prices as estimates that change.
Keeping the credential
- Certifications issued or recertified in 2026 move to a 2-year recertification cycle. Handbook: those who recertify on/after Jan 1, 2026 recertify one last time under the old rules (including the Recertification Competency Assessment) and pay the 2026 fee, after which the 2-year cycle begins; next recertification in 2028 requires 2026 maintenance requirements. Newly certified RBTs in 2026 follow the 2-year cycle.
- Two-year recertification fee: $50.
- 12 professional development units (PDUs) per 2-year cycle, earned within the cycle, from: organization in-service by a BCBA/BCaBA at the RBT's service organization (not client-specific training), ACE provider events, or university didactic behavior-analytic courses ('C' or better). Supervision and client-specific training do not count. Cannot make up PDUs during the reinstatement period.
- Missing the date makes certification inactive with a 30-day reinstatement window (US Mountain time) with $50 late fee; no practicing, billing or representing as RBT while inactive. After that, certification expires and the person must reapply, meet then-current eligibility, and retake the exam.
Supervision once certified
Minimum ongoing supervision equal to 5% of the hours spent providing behavior-analytic services each calendar month, met independently at each organization where the RBT works (cannot split e.g. 3% + 2% across employers). At least two face-to-face, real-time contacts per month (not phone or email only). Supervisor must observe the RBT providing services during at least one monthly contact. At least one of the two contacts must be individual (no other RBTs/trainees present); the other may be a small-group meeting of 2 to 10 RBTs with similar experience.
How long does it take?
BACB rules set a floor (the 40-hour training takes at least 5 calendar days, and the BACB asks you to allow about two weeks for application review). Everything else depends on your employer and test-center availability. See the fast-track timeline, which labels every estimate.
BACB RBT page is the primary source. Always confirm current fees and rules there, because the BACB updates its handbook quarterly.