Warning Signs Your Current RBT Training Won't Meet 2026 Standards

Your Registered Behavior Technician^® training checklist just got longer. The BACB^® has mandated specific changes to everything from time allocation to the inclusion of Behavioral Skills Training (BST). It's time to stop wondering if you're compliant and start assessing your program against the new standards.

The recent edits to the RBT® training standards touch on several key areas. It's important for RBTs and training providers to really get a handle on each part:

• Curriculum outline: The BACB has updated its curriculum, altering both the required knowledge and the depth of understanding for RBTs^®.
• Content durations: Specific time requirements now dictate how long you must spend on each training topic.
• Trainer requirements: A BCaBA^®, BCBA^®, or BCBA-D^® (with 8-hour supervision training) serves as the Responsible Trainer, while an RBT® certified or higher individual serves as the Assistant Trainer.
• Recertification requirements: Renewal competencies are out, and continuing education credits are in.

Ignoring these updates could mean you're not compliant, putting your certification and the quality of care you provide at risk. Here are four warning signs that your current RBT^® training may fall short of the 2026 standards:

Warning Sign #1: You’re Training Without Measuring Success 

Here’s what non-compliance looks like: You complete 40 hours of training, hand out certificates, and assume your RBTs® are ready to work effectively. But when you can’t answer “How do I know my program is working?” you’re operating on hope, not data. Compliant training programs have clear mastery criteria and systematic ways to measure whether learners actually understand and can apply what they’ve learned. This might include competency assessments, skills demonstrations, or performance tracking that goes beyond simply completing training hours. 

Ask yourself:

• How do I know my program is working?
• Do I have a measurement system to track progress?
• What mastery criteria am I looking for?

Warning Sign #2: Your 40-Hour Math Doesn't Add Up

The BACB^® now requires specific time allocations for each content area. For example, behavior change interventions now require 20 hours of dedicated training– that’s half your entire program focused on just one content area. Many training programs that previously covered this topic in 8-10 hours will need significant restructuring. 

Non-compliant programs might spend 15 hours on general ABA principles, 5 hours on data collection, and 20 hours scattered across all other required topics. Compliant programs follow the BACB’s^® detailed hour requirements, leaving two of the 40 hours to be allocated towards subjects of your choice. To meet the 40-hour curriculum requirement, you will need a detailed time map for each subject.

Ask yourself: 

• Do I know how long it takes to train my RBTs^® on each content topic?
• Do I need to make adjustments to match the BACB’s^® content outline?

Warning Sign #3: Non-Compliant Training and Instructors

This warning sign has two parts, and both must be addressed for compliance.

First, the BACB^® has added the requirement that your training include components of Behavioral Skills Training (BST): instruct, model, rehearse, and provide feedback. Non-compliant training might rely solely on online modules or lectures. Compliant training ensures learners actually practice skills and receive corrective feedback before certification.

Another change from the BACB^® is that your instructors need to have the 8-hour supervision training. This sets a bare minimum of what is required for supervisors. Just because you're good at the job doesn't mean that you're good at teaching or supervising others. This requirement will benefit the new RBT and the instructors providing the training.

Ask yourself: 

• Does my training incorporate every step of BST? (Instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback)
• Have my instructors completed the 8-hour supervision training?

Warning Sign #4: You Lack Expertise in Instructional Design

Effective instructional design demands significant development time. According to Adam Hockman, Senior VP of Learning Partnerships and Growth at ABA Technologies, it takes a minimum of 125 hours of work to produce one hour of quality instruction. For a 40-hour program, you’re looking at 5,000-6,000 hours of development work. These implementations go into effect on January 1st, which means you have a few months to implement the quality changes to your program before the change goes into effect. If your team has existing caseloads and other responsibilities, starting from scratch may not be feasible without additional resources or outside support.

Roadmap to January 1st

Let's look again at a quick list:

• Warning Sign #1: Navigating Without a Compass: You need to have an assessment system for your current and new program in order to make sure you are providing quality training
• Warning Sign #2: Your 40-Hour Math Doesn't Add Up: Are you hitting the proper time allocations for each of the different topics? Do you know how much time and material you're going to need for each of the subjects?
• Warning Sign #3: Non-Compliant Training and Instructors: You're going to need the components of BST to be implemented in order to have a high-quality program. Your instructors are also going to need to have completed the 8-hour supervision training.
• Warning Sign #4: You Lack Expertise in Instructional Design: Rebuilding half of your program is going to take about 2,500 to 3,000 hours. Ensure you allocate sufficient time and resources for adjustments.

The Path Forward

Immediate next steps:

1. Conduct an honest assessment of your current program against the four warning signs.
2. Map your content to the BACB's^® new time requirements.
3. Inventory your instructor qualifications and training methods.
4. Calculate the development time you'll need for compliance.

The goal isn't perfection by January 1st—it's ensuring your RBTs® receive the quality training that leads to better outcomes for the families and clients you serve. These new standards represent an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of behavioral services in your organization. As the great Taoist Lao Tzu wisely stated, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Your journey to revamp your program begins with taking that first step.

If you're reading this and are nervous about being able to meet the requirements on time or want to hit that "easy button," ABA Technologies can help provide the resources and build the systems to make your RBT^® training program and professional development for RBTs^® high quality. Our lifeblood is to help bring the science of behavior to the world. This will improve the lives of your employees and, ultimately, your clients and their families, through the science of behavior. If you have questions, please reach out. We would be more than happy to take care of you as you treat your clients.