Within the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), there are several credentials that individuals can acquire, at varying levels, in order to provide and/or supervise ABA therapy services. 

A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is an entry-level position within the field of behavior analysis. RBTs work in a clinical environment under the direct supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) or a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) to implement ABA therapy for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. A behavior technician's main duty is to implement therapy and assist with behavioral issues in a variety of settings, under the supervision of a BCBA.

To obtain the RBT credential, an individual must have a highschool diploma (or higher), complete a 40 hour training course approved by the BACB, and pass a competency under the supervision of a BCBA.

The BCBA credential is the more advanced of the two credentials. Individuals who hold a BCBA credential have completed, at minimum, a master’s degree and the BACB Verified Course Sequence (VCS), a supervised practicum experience of 1000 hours or more, and have passed their board examination.  

The role of the BCBA is to assess behavior, develop treatment plans, train and supervise RBTs and supervisees to implement treatment protocol, and oversee the implementation and progress of ABA therapy services for clients in a variety of settings. BCBAs do also sometimes provide direct therapy services for their clients, although some do not.  

At AATBS our exam prep and continuing education products are crafted and instructed by BCBA Subject-Matter Experts, each one having real-life experience as a BCBA. Our content instructors can prepare you for success with over 100 combined years of experience across our BCBA team.

Learn more about our BCBA exam prep materials by visiting here.