Significant updates to the Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) certification and supervision requirements take effect in 2026. These changes impact RBTs, RBT candidates, and RBT supervisors, with a focus on longer recertification cycles, new professional development requirements, and updated training standards.
Key Changes Effective in 2026
The most notable updates for 2026 include:
- Transition to a two-year recertification cycle
- 12 Professional Development Units (PDUs) required during each two-year cycle
- Updated Initial Competency Assessment
- New 40-hour training curriculum requirements
These changes aim to standardize training quality and support long-term professional development for RBTs.
Initial RBT Certification Requirements (What Remains the Same)
The foundational eligibility requirements for RBT candidates remain unchanged:
- Candidates must be at least 18 years old
- Must hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must pass a background check, including an abuse registry check
In some states, the abuse registry requirement may be met through fingerprinting. Candidates should always consult their employer’s policies and applicable state regulations.
Important Updates to the 40-Hour RBT Training (2026)
Beginning in 2026, the BACB has replaced the RBT Task List–based training model with a standardized curriculum that specifies minimum instructional hours per content area.
Important Note for Candidates
If you completed the 40-hour training in 2025 under the previous requirements and plan to complete your competency assessment and apply for the RBT exam in 2026, you must complete a new 40-hour training that meets the updated 2026 curriculum standards.
Required 2026 Training Curriculum Breakdown
- Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis: 2 hours
- Preparing for Service Delivery: 1 hour
- Data Collection and Graphing: 3 hours
- Assisting with Behavior Assessments: 3 hours
- Behavior-Change Interventions: 20 hours
- Service Delivery Documentation and Reporting: 3 hours
- Ethics and Professionalism: 5 hours
- Next Steps in the Certification Process: 1 hour
The BACB also allows 2 additional discretionary hours, which may be added to any of the above categories.
These updates create a more consistent training experience nationwide and provide supervisors with a clearer framework for developing compliant internal training programs.
Recertification Timeline Changes
- RBTs certified in 2025 will renew in 2026
- The two-year recertification cycle officially begins in 2028
- All RBTs renewing in 2026 should begin accumulating PDUs for the 2026–2028 cycle
Competency Assessment Versions
- Recertification Competency Assessment: Version dated 08/2025 (unchanged for 2026)
- Initial Competency Assessment: Version dated 08/2025 (used for all 2026 initial certifications)
RBT Supervision Requirements in 2026
Supervision requirements remain unchanged in 2026:
- 5% of monthly direct therapy hours must be supervised
- Supervision must be conducted by a qualified RBT Supervisor or RBT Requirements Coordinator
- At least two supervision contacts per month must be face-to-face
- At least one must be an individual meeting
- Face-to-face supervision requires direct observation of service delivery
- Individual supervision must be one-on-one, with no other RBTs or trainees present
Group supervision may count if conducted appropriately. Importantly, supervision and professional development are separate requirements. Because supervision is client-focused, it cannot be counted toward PDUs.
Professional Development Units (PDUs) Requirement
Starting in 2026, RBTs must complete 12 PDUs during each two-year recertification cycle.
PDUs may be earned through:
- In-service training provided by an employer
- Coursework or training from an ACE provider
- Relevant university coursework
The Theralytics platform now offers PDU content specifically designed for RBTs. These presentations expand on the topics from the initial 40-hour training, providing deeper clinical insight and skill development to support ongoing professional growth.
Voluntary Inactive Status (VIS) Updates
Beginning in 2026, Voluntary Inactive Status (VIS) aligns with the new two-year recertification cycle.
- VIS before 2026 recertification:
- Pauses the existing one-year cycle
- Upon return, RBTs must meet pre-2026 requirements, including the Recertification Competency Assessment
- The two-year cycle begins afterward
- VIS after 2026 recertification:
- Pauses the new two-year cycle
- Upon return, RBTs must meet all 2026 standards, including completion of 12 PDUs
In all cases, RBTs returning from inactive status must complete a Reentry Competency Assessment as outlined in the BACB RBT Handbook.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 RBT updates introduce a more structured, consistent, and development-focused certification process. While supervision requirements remain stable, the expanded training curriculum, longer recertification cycle, and new PDU requirements emphasize professional growth and long-term competency. Supervisors and organizations should prepare early to ensure compliance and support RBT success under the updated standards.
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