Big Changes for RBT® Certification: Are You Ready for 2026?

Change is coming to the RBT® world! If you're an RBT® or work with RBTs®, you'll want to pay attention to this one. The certification you know is getting a significant makeover effective January 1, 2026, and we're here to walk you through it together.

The Why Behind the Changes

Let's be honest—change can feel overwhelming at first. But there's good reasoning behind these updates! The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) hasn't done a comprehensive review of RBT® requirements since 2017, and our field has evolved considerably since then. Throughout 2022 and 2023, committees of dedicated subject matter experts rolled up their sleeves to ensure the RBT certification stays meaningful, current, and reflective of what behavior technicians actually do in the real world.

What's Actually Changing? Let's Break It Down

1. Training Gets a Structured Makeover

Then: The 40-hour RBT training was pretty flexible. If you've been through it or taught it, you know there was considerable room for interpretation on how to allocate those hours.

Now: The BACB® is getting specific! The new training requires a dedicated curriculum with precise time allocations:

Curriculum Outline

That adds up to 38 structured hours, with 2 more "discretionary" hours to round out the 40.

Here's something important to note—those assigned readings that trainers often relied on? They won't count toward the required hours anymore. Training must include Behavioral Skills Training (BST) along with methods that actively engage learners—think video instruction, modeling, role-play with feedback, interactive activities, and meaningful discussions. The days of "read these chapters and we'll discuss" are coming to an end!

2. Trainer Qualifications Get Leveled Up

Then: A Responsible Trainer (BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D) could oversee training and delegate to pretty much any "proficient" Assistant Trainer. The definition of "proficient" was... well, open to interpretation.

Now: Things are getting more rigorous! The Responsible Trainer must complete the 8-hour Supervision Training (no exceptions), and any Assistant Trainer must hold RBT certification at minimum. This change ensures that those teaching RBT skills have gone through the process themselves.

For those initial competency assessments:

Then: A Responsible Assessor could delegate to any "proficient" Assistant Assessor.

Now: Not only must the Assistant Assessor hold at least RBT certification, but there's a new requirement that all three parties—the Responsible Assessor, Assistant Assessor, and RBT applicant—must work at the same organization. This change seems aimed at ensuring organizational accountability and preventing the "I'll sign off on yours if you sign off on mine" scenario between different agencies.

This only applies to the competency assessments. ABA Technologies can still help you with your initial 40-hour training. 

3. The Exam is Getting a Refresh

The BACB® has officially conducted a job task analysis for the RBT® exam. After careful review by SME committees, the test is changing to better reflect what RBTs actually do in practice.

Some notable shifts in the exam blueprint:

Examination Content Domain and Blueprint Crosswalk

This means candidates should be prepared for a test that places more emphasis on assessment and data collection skills.

4. Supervisor Requirements Tighten Up

Then: Your RBT Supervisor could be a BCaBA, BCBA, BCBA-D OR someone licensed in another behavioral health profession who completed the 8-Hour Supervision Training.

Now: Only a BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D who has completed the 8-Hour Supervision Training can supervise RBTs. That "OR" became an "AND," and the option for other licensed professionals has been removed entirely. This change keeps RBT supervision firmly within the behavior analytic profession.

5. Big Win: Goodbye Annual Competency Assessment, Hello CEUs!

This might be the change most working RBTs will notice first:

Then: RBTs® had to complete an annual competency assessment.

Now: Two major changes that might make you cheer:

• The recertification cycle stretches to TWO years instead of one

• The Renewal Competency Assessment is GONE, replaced by continuing education.

Instead of demonstrating the same skills year after year, RBTs will need to complete 12 CEUs during each two-year certification cycle. These can come from:

• Organization in-service trainings (led by a BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D at your workplace)

• Events from ACE Providers (like ProTech from ABA Technologies)

• University courses in behavior analysis (with a passing grade)

One thing to keep in mind: your regular supervision sessions, client-specific training, and any supervised fieldwork you're doing toward a BCaBA or BCBA won't count toward these CEUs. This is about broadening your knowledge, not just maintaining your current skills.

When Is All This Happening?

The BACB is giving us plenty of runway to prepare, but don't get too comfortable—time has a way of sneaking up on us!

• January 1, 2026: D-Day! All new requirements officially take effect

• June 1, 2025: Some crucial deadlines to mark on your calendar:
  • 180 days to complete the 40-hour training

  • 90 days to complete the Initial Competency Assessment

But here's the reality check: Organizations shouldn't wait until 2025. The smart ones are already:

• Revamping their 40-hour RBT training programs

• Creating ongoing professional development opportunities

• Making sure their trainers, assessors, and supervisors will meet the new qualifications

What This Really Means for Your Organization

Let's get practical about the impact these changes will have:

1. Your training materials need a makeover. That binder of training materials you've been using? Time to crack it open and restructure it to match the new curriculum requirements. The days of "we've always done it this way" are coming to an end.
2. Your staff might need additional credentials. Take inventory of who's currently serving as trainers, assessors, and supervisors. Do they meet the new requirements? If not, you've got some professional development to plan—and possibly some new responsibilities to delegate.
3. You need a CEU strategy for your RBTs. With the new continuing education requirement, organizations will either need to develop in-house training opportunities or budget for external CEU sources. This is actually a great opportunity to enhance the professional growth of your RBT workforce!
4. Documentation just got even more important. The BACB could audit any aspect of these requirements, so your record-keeping systems need to be airtight. Are you thoroughly documenting who's conducting training, what content is covered, for how long, and using what methods? If not, now's the time to revamp those systems.

Your Action Plan: Getting Ready for 2026

January 2026 might feel far away, but if there's one thing we've learned in this field, it's that preparation pays off! Here's what your organization should be doing NOW:

1. Pull out that training curriculum and give it a thorough review. Map your current content to the new required hours and identify any gaps. Behavior-Change Interventions needs 20 hours—are you currently devoting that much time to it?
2. Check your supervisors' credentials. Have they completed the 8-Hour Supervision Training? If not, get that scheduled! This isn't just about compliance—it's about building capacity for high-quality supervision. If it’s been a while, it might be a good idea to have your supervisors retake the 8-hour training to ensure they are up to date on the best practices and most recent research.
3. Start identifying your future Assistant Trainers and Assessors. Look at your RBT staff—who could help with teaching and assessing others? These team members will be valuable resources under the new requirements.
4. Begin creating your CEU library. What in-service trainings could you develop? Which topics would most benefit your RBTs? This is a fantastic opportunity to elevate the knowledge base of your entire team.
5. Upgrade your documentation systems. The best time to fix your record-keeping was yesterday; the second-best time is today! Make sure you can easily track and verify all aspects of compliance.

It's All About Growth

These changes might seem daunting at first glance, but they represent a positive evolution in our field. The RBT role is growing in professionalism, with greater emphasis on continuing education rather than repetitive assessment. The structured training curriculum ensures consistent skill development, and the stricter supervision requirements enhance quality assurance.

Yes, adjustments will be needed, but these changes ultimately strengthen the foundation of behavior analytic services and the professionals who provide them.

 Watch a recording of our webinar where we walk through these changes in even more detail, with practical strategies you can implement right away. We shared timelines and tools to make your transition smooth. Because when it comes to regulatory changes like these, it's better to be proactive than reactive!

For the official word on all these changes, you can refer to the BACB's December 2023 Newsletter and the RBT® 2026 40-Hour Training Requirements and Curriculum Outline.

We're here to help you navigate these changes with confidence! Our team specializes in helping organizations adapt to regulatory updates without missing a beat in service delivery. Reach out today to learn how we can support your preparation for the 2026 RBT requirement changes.