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Stay up to date with the latest BACB® updates in our summary of the December 2025 BACB® Newsletter. This blog breaks down the most important changes for RBT®, BCBA®, and BCaBA® applicants — including new 2026–2027 certification requirements, recertification updates, supervision guidelines, and legal/licensure reminders for behavior technicians and analysts.
Whether you're preparing for the RBT® exam, completing your 40-hour RBT® training, or planning your BCBA® career path, this article gives you clear, accessible information to help you stay compliant and confident in your ABA journey.
Whether you're preparing for the RBT® exam, completing your 40-hour RBT® training, or planning your BCBA® career path, this article gives you clear, accessible information to help you stay compliant and confident in your ABA journey.
Upcoming Certification & Requirement Changes (2026–2027)
- Beginning January 1, 2026, new eligibility requirements for RBT applicants: updated 40-hour training standards and a new version of the RBT exam content outline.
- For those certified on/after that date: recertification cycles will be two years, and each cycle will require earning 12 Professional Development Units (PDUs).
- For Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) applicants: pathways 3 and 4 will be discontinued starting January 1, 2027. After that date, applicants must meet the new course-and-attestation requirements (Pathway 2) or apply under updated requirements.
New “BACB Resource Corner”
- This newsletter introduces the BACB Resource Corner, a dedicated section highlighting useful resources. The first issue focuses on RBT supervision.
- Resources include supervision checklists (for RBTs and supervisors), podcasts and blog posts explaining supervision structure, requirements, and best practices.
Legal & Licensure Guidance for Practitioners
- The newsletter reminds certificants that while the BACB issues certification, many states regulate behavior-analytic practice via licensure laws. Practitioners must comply with laws in any state or province where they work, especially when supervising or providing telehealth services across state lines.
- Practicing or supervising without the appropriate license can have serious legal and ethical consequences.
Consumer-Protection: Falsified Credentials and Misrepresentation
- Due to high demand and value of BACB credentials, there have been instances of people falsely claiming certification. The BACB emphasizes consumer protection and reminds certificants and employers to use the official Certificant Registry when verifying credentials.
- The newsletter also covers how the BACB handles misrepresentations, including cease-and-desist and takedown requests.
Certificant Growth & Profession Trends
- As of October 1, 2025, the BACB reports 317,699 certificants worldwide — showing major growth from 2015, when there were ~38,077.
- The update signals that the profession is expanding rapidly, but also that supporting that growth (through supervision, standards, documentation, etc.) is a priority.
What It Means for You (As Someone Considering RBT Certification)
- If you plan to apply for RBT — the 2026 changes mean you’ll need to ensure your training meets the updated 40-hour requirement, and be prepared for a new exam version.
- The BACB is putting more emphasis on supervision quality, documentation, and ethical compliance — this could mean more structure, support, and oversight if you become certified.
- The growing number of certificants shows demand and recognition of the credential, which could improve job opportunities — but also means competition and high standards, so finishing certification in line with new requirements is important.
- If you want to work or supervise across jurisdictions (especially if outside the U.S.) — be aware that certification is different from licensure; you’ll need to check local laws and regulations.
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