by Dr. Jessica Levine, Product Specialist
New Year, New Changes! What does this mean for RBTs in the ABA community?
Have you heard about the new updates from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) that will be in effect starting January 1, 2026? If you haven’t, we’ve outlined the key details you’ll want to know to stay informed about the new changes that impact current and aspiring Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).
Updates for Current RBTs:
In 2026, RBTs will still be required to complete a competency assessment during the renewal process; however, this requirement will change in the following years. The RBT recertification process will no longer be on an annual basis, but will be performed every two years. In addition, RBTs will be responsible for completing 12 hours of continuing education during the renewal process. With these new changes, the recertification fees have been impacted as well, increasing to $50 every two years.
Continuing education units (CEUs) can be earned through multiple methods. RBTs can participate in training opportunities at their agency or place of employment. CEUs can also be earned through coursework at colleges and universities, conferences, webinars, and more events focused on advancement in the ABA field. It is important to note that CEUs earned before an RBT’s renewal period will not be applied toward their recertification requirements.
Updates for Aspiring RBTs:
As of January 1, 2026, all RBT certification courses must be aligned to the new 2026 standards and follow the RBT 2026 40-hour training requirements and curriculum outline. The new training course contains updated tasks with additional minimum time requirements for each topic. The certificate of completion should indicate that the training course is aligned with the new 2026 standards. Also, beginning January 1, 2026, the RBT examination will be based on the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.). Regardless of the beginning of an aspiring RBT’s authorization period or when their application was approved, they are required to complete the exam that follows the new testing guidelines. Furthermore, aspiring RBTs should complete the updated version of the initial competency assessment after the RBT training course.
The initial application fee for the RBT examination has increased to $65. Exam question counts are being adjusted as well, with Domains A (Data Collection and Graphing), B (Behavior Assessment), and D (Behavior Reduction) adding a few questions, and Domain C (Behavior Acquisition) reducing its total.The exam will still feature the same number of questions, the same number of domains, and the same exam format.
Although there are many changes to these processes, the BACB has provided guidance on what RBTs and aspiring RBTs should look for when going through their respective process. As a helpful tip, individuals should be proactive in verifying that their certification program is aligned with the new 2026 standards. Following these guidelines will help RBTs and aspiring RBTs meet their ultimate goal, which is to provide exceptional service to their clients.