Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) play a valuable role in providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA continuously evolves with new and innovative research, changing certification requirements, and shifting best practices. RBTs and behavior analysts must stay current with the latest developments within the field to continue providing high-quality care. The following guide encompasses several RBT training, learning, and career development resources. In addition, there are resources for behavior analysts who oversee behavior technicians to advance their supervisory skills.
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Resources
Above all, BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs must stay current with the BACB’s standards and requirements. The BACB has several resources that certificants should review.
The RBT handbook details the requirements to become a registered behavior technician, the ongoing supervision and certification maintenance requirements, ethics, self-reporting procedures, and other essential information. RBTs, BCBAs, and BCaBAs should all be well-versed in the guidelines outlined in this handbook.
The board publishes newsletters 2-4x/year. These newsletters include pertinent information about recent and upcoming changes to certification requirements, guidance on ethical dilemmas, and other information. All BACB-certified individuals should review newsletters when released. Releases of newsletters are emailed to everyone with BACB gateway accounts. Check the email preferences tab in your gateway account if you aren’t receiving updates. The board also posts newsletter alerts to their social media accounts, so be sure to follow them (see below).
Another resource the BACB offers is the Inside the BACB Podcast. In this podcast, the hosts discuss many crucial topics related to board certification and the ABA field. Some topics include future changes to certification requirements, RBT supervision systems, helpful ethics resources, and common misunderstandings.
BACB Social Media Accounts
Continuing Education and Professional Development
ABA professionals never stop learning. To elevate your career and enhance your skills, consider the following resources.
Join Professional Organizations
Become a member of the Association for Behavior Analysts (APBA), Black Applied Behavior Analysts, or a local behavior analytic organization. Each membership offers different benefits, so check with each to determine which one(s) is the best fit for you. Some benefits to professional associations include journal clubs, networking and mentorship, continuing education opportunities, discounts on books, study prep materials, and other resources.
Continuing Education for BCBAs
BCBAs who oversee technicians should regularly attend continuing education events on supervision practices to ensure they provide high-quality, research-supported supervision. In each 2-year cycle, they must obtain at least 3 supervision CEUs.
Check out the following supervision continuing education courses.
8-Hour Supervisory Training (Required to begin providing supervision to RBTs and fieldwork supervisees)
Supervise Yourself: Self-Care and Supervision CEU
Building Strong Foundations: A Supervision Model for Assessment and Training RBTs
Continuing Education for RBTs
As of 1/1/2026, RBTs must attend continuing education events to maintain certification. They will need to acquire 12 CEUs in every 2-year cycle to renew their certification. As this requirement was recently established, continuing education opportunities for RBTs may not be readily available just yet. However, keep an eye out for RBT CEs in the near future. Also, check with your employer, as internal professional development training may qualify.
The following courses may help RBTs to increase their knowledge and expertise in RBT-related competencies.
Journal Articles & Books
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well
While not specifically related to ABA, this book is an excellent read for any ABA professional. Feedback is inevitable in this field. Supervisors provide feedback on an ongoing basis to ensure fidelity of treatment, improve client care, and help technicians develop further in their roles. This book can help technicians become more comfortable with accepting feedback.
The following list includes several ABA journals with behavior-analytic research. Some articles have open access, though many do not. If you need access, check with your school, employer, or a professional association. The BACB also provides access to journals for BCBAs and BCaBAs.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions
Ethical Resources
Providing quality therapy services depends on understanding and implementing ethical guidelines set forth by the board. Review the following ethical resources to ensure and maintain compliance.
All RBT applicants and certificants must abide by the RBT code of ethics. According to page 2 of the code, failure to understand or be aware of the code cannot be an excuse for failing to comply. Therefore, RBTs should review and ensure they know the code in its entirety. BCBAs should also thoroughly review the code as they need to be cognizant of the ethical requirements of their supervisees.
Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts
All BCBAs and BCBA applicants must abide by the BCBA code of ethics. As with the RBT code, failure to understand or be aware of the code does not suffice as an excuse for failure to comply. Thus, behavior analysts must thoroughly understand the ethical guidelines.
Written by Jon Bailey and Mary Burch, this text comprehensively reviews the ethics code with examples relating to everyday practice as a behavior technician.
Blogs
There are many ABA-focused blogs with helpful tips from industry experts. Here are a few we recommend.
Blog: RBT Competency Assessment: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Blog: The Ethics of ABA Supervision
Blog: Improving RBT Training Effectiveness: Practical Tips for BCBA
Blog: 10 Questions to Ask in a BT/RBT Interview
Blog: Different Roads to Learning
Podcasts and YouTube Videos
Behavior Technicians Anonymous
This podcast is hosted by a behavior technician who shares her own experiences in the field, discusses updates from the BACB, and more.
Inside Track is great for both BCBAs and RBTs. This podcast is hosted by three behavior analysts who discuss various topics, from supervision and ethics to self-care. Listeners can earn CEUs as well with optional purchase.
Do Better Collaborative Podcast
Learn about soft skills in ABA, the latest research and practice recommendations, AI in behavior analysis, and more.
A Day in The Life as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Video
Get a brief glimpse into an RBT’s role with this video.
This YouTube channel is hosted by a BCBA, Sara Morris. She shares helpful tips such as how to level up your RBT skills, prepare for the competency assessment, complete preference assessments, and more.
Other Resources
Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services (PDC-HS)
The PDC-HS is an assessment supervisors can use to evaluate and analyze the environmental factors contributing to poor performance. This allows BCBAs to hone in on areas where their staff may need additional training, resources, or other environmental changes to improve their work performance.
Are you interested in expanding your career in ABA but want to explore other areas? Learn more about the subspecialties of ABA, such as OBM, health and fitness, clinical behavior analysis, and more.
Catalyst’s data collection software includes a robust library of resources that RBTs and BCBAs can use to improve clinical outcomes. To see why Catalyst is this the number one trusted data collection software by ABA providers, schedule a demo and see all if it’s capabilities.
