40-Hour RBT Training Course
Complete BACB-approved training aligned with the RBT Task List (2nd Edition)
Course overview
This comprehensive, self-paced training program covers every competency area required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board for RBT certification. Developed and taught by practicing BCBAs, the course combines video instruction, interactive exercises, case-based scenarios, and module assessments to prepare you for both the RBT competency assessment and the certification exam.
The Registered Behavior Technician credential is the fastest-growing certification in the behavioral health field. RBTs work directly with clients under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, delivering one-on-one therapy using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Demand for qualified RBTs continues to outpace supply nationwide.
Our 40-hour training program meets the 2026 BACB training eligibility requirements in full. The curriculum is structured around the RBT Task List (2nd Edition) and the RBT Ethics Code 2.0, ensuring you are prepared not just to pass the exam but to deliver high-quality care from day one.
Per BACB requirements, this training must be completed within a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 180 days from enrollment. Your 180-day window begins the day you enroll.
Who this course is for
- Aspiring Registered Behavior Technicians
- Career changers entering the ABA field
- Paraprofessionals working with children with autism
- Parents interested in deepening their ABA knowledge
Learning objectives
Upon completing this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the core principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and their application in clinical settings
- Implement continuous and discontinuous measurement procedures accurately
- Conduct preference assessments to identify potential reinforcers
- Implement skill acquisition programs using discrete trial training, naturalistic teaching, and task analysis
- Apply reinforcement, extinction, and differential reinforcement procedures as designed by a BCBA
- Implement behavior reduction procedures including antecedent interventions and functional communication training
- Collect, graph, and report data accurately using standard ABA data collection methods
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct consistent with the RBT Ethics Code 2.0
- Describe the RBT's role within the supervisory relationship and scope of practice
Full curriculum
Module 1: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
3 hours- What is ABA and why it matters
- History and scientific foundations of behavior analysis
- Key terminology: behavior, environment, reinforcement, punishment
- The seven dimensions of ABA (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968)
- Overview of the RBT role, scope of practice, and supervisory structure
- The BACB credentialing system: RBT, BCaBA, BCBA, BCBA-D
Module 2: Measurement and Data Collection
4 hours- Why measurement matters in ABA
- Continuous measurement: frequency, rate, duration, latency, interresponse time
- Discontinuous measurement: partial interval, whole interval, momentary time sampling
- Permanent product recording
- Data collection systems and tools
- Entering and graphing data accurately
- Understanding basic graphing conventions (line graphs, bar graphs)
- Interobserver agreement (IOA) and reliability
Module 3: Assessment Procedures
3 hours- The role of assessment in ABA treatment planning
- Conducting preference assessments: free operant, single stimulus, paired stimulus, multiple stimulus
- Assisting with individualized assessment procedures (VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, AFLS)
- Assisting with functional behavior assessment data collection
- Indirect assessment: interviews and checklists
- Descriptive assessment: ABC data collection
- Understanding the purpose of functional analysis (observation only — not conducted by RBTs)
Module 4: Skill Acquisition — Foundations
4 hours- Principles of reinforcement: positive and negative reinforcement
- Types of reinforcers: edible, tangible, social, activity, token
- Schedules of reinforcement: continuous, fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval
- Prompting procedures: physical, gestural, model, verbal, visual, positional
- Prompt fading: most-to-least, least-to-most, graduated guidance, time delay
- Stimulus control and discrimination training
- Modeling and imitation training
Module 5: Skill Acquisition — Teaching Procedures
4 hours- Discrete trial training (DTT): structure, pacing, and data collection
- Natural environment teaching (NET): capturing and contriving opportunities
- Incidental teaching
- Task analysis and chaining: forward chaining, backward chaining, total task presentation
- Shaping: reinforcing successive approximations
- Generalization and maintenance of acquired skills
- Teaching across settings, people, and materials
Module 6: Skill Acquisition — Verbal Behavior
3 hours- Introduction to Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior
- Verbal operants: mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal, textual, transcription
- Teaching mands (requests) using motivating operations
- Teaching tacts (labels) using nonverbal stimuli
- Teaching intraverbals (conversational responses)
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) basics
- Using visual supports and communication systems
Module 7: Behavior Reduction — Foundations
4 hours- Understanding the functions of behavior: attention, escape, access to tangibles, automatic reinforcement
- The role of antecedent interventions in preventing challenging behavior
- Environmental modifications and setting event strategies
- Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR)
- High-probability request sequences (behavioral momentum)
- Functional communication training (FCT)
- Differential reinforcement procedures: DRA, DRI, DRO, DRL
Module 8: Behavior Reduction — Crisis and Safety
3 hours- Extinction: definition, procedures, extinction bursts, and spontaneous recovery
- Implementing crisis and emergency procedures as directed by a BCBA
- Recognizing and responding to self-injurious behavior
- Safety planning and environmental safety checks
- When and how to request supervisory support
- Understanding restrictive procedures and least-restrictive alternatives
- Mandatory reporting obligations
Module 9: Documentation and Reporting
3 hours- Session note writing: what to include and how to be objective
- Distinguishing objective observation from subjective interpretation
- Reporting changes in client behavior to the supervising BCBA
- Maintaining client records and data security
- HIPAA basics for behavior technicians
- Communicating with families: boundaries, professionalism, and transparency
- Documentation requirements for insurance and compliance
Module 10: Professional Conduct and the RBT Ethics Code 2.0
4 hours- Overview of the RBT Ethics Code 2.0
- Responsible conduct: integrity, competence, and professional boundaries
- Responsibility to clients: dignity, autonomy, and assent
- The supervisory relationship: roles, responsibilities, and boundaries
- Confidentiality and privacy obligations
- Social media, digital communication, and professional conduct
- Dual relationships and conflicts of interest
- Responding to ethical dilemmas: decision-making frameworks
- Reporting ethical violations
Module 11: Working Within the Supervisory System
3 hours- The supervision structure: BCBA, BCaBA, and RBT roles
- What to expect during supervision sessions
- Preparing for supervision: data review, questions, and feedback
- Accepting and implementing supervisory feedback
- Scope of practice: what RBTs can and cannot do independently
- Communicating concerns and challenges to your supervisor
- Maintaining ongoing professional development
Module 12: Putting It All Together — Case-Based Application
2 hours- Case study 1: Early learner — mand training and play skills
- Case study 2: School-age client — social skills and behavior reduction
- Case study 3: Adolescent — daily living skills and community integration
- Integrating measurement, skill acquisition, and behavior reduction
- Preparing for the RBT competency assessment
- Preparing for the RBT certification exam
- Next steps after completing training
Prerequisites
- Minimum 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- No prior ABA experience required
- Reliable internet connection for video content
- Ability to complete the course within 180 days of enrollment
Certification & accreditation
Credentialing body
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
Credit type
RBT Training Requirement
Credits awarded
40 hours
This training satisfies the 40-hour training requirement for RBT certification. After completing this course, you must also complete an RBT Initial Competency Assessment administered by a BCBA at your workplace and pass the RBT certification exam administered by the BACB through Pearson VUE. This training is offered independent of the BACB.
Frequently asked questions
Does this course make me a certified RBT?
This course fulfills the 40-hour training requirement, which is one step in the certification process. You must also complete a competency assessment with a supervising BCBA at your facility and pass the national RBT exam through Pearson VUE. We prepare you thoroughly for both.
Can I complete this course at my own pace?
Yes. The course is fully self-paced. Per BACB requirements, you must complete it within a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 180 days from enrollment. Most students complete it in 2 to 4 weeks.
Where do I take the RBT competency assessment?
The competency assessment must be conducted by a BCBA at your place of employment or a supervisory arrangement. We do not administer the competency assessment. If you do not yet have a supervisor, we can help connect you with resources in your area.
What is the pass rate for students who complete this training?
Students who complete our full program, including all module assessments and the practice exam, pass the RBT certification exam at a rate above the national average. We update this figure annually on our outcomes page.
Is there a refund policy?
We offer a full refund within 7 days of enrollment if you have completed less than 25% of the course content. See our refund policy page for details.
Will this course prepare me for the 2026 RBT requirements?
Yes. This course is fully aligned with the current BACB training requirements, including the RBT Task List (2nd Edition) and the RBT Ethics Code 2.0, effective for 2026 and beyond.
Instant access after purchase
What you get:
- 40 hours of video instruction across 12 modules
- Interactive knowledge checks after each topic
- Module assessments with instant feedback
- Downloadable study guide and reference materials
- Practice exam with 85 questions mirroring the RBT exam format
- Certificate of completion for BACB submission
- Lifetime access to course materials and future updates
- Email support from our clinical team throughout your training
Explore more courses
BCBA CEU Bundles
Curated continuing education across ethics, supervision, and clinical practice
8-Hour Supervision Training
Meet the BACB requirement for supervising RBTs and trainees
Parent & Educator Training Modules
Practical ABA strategies for supporting children at home and in the classroom