Completing your 40-hour RBT® training is an exciting accomplishment—but it does not mean that you are officially certified as a Registered Behavior Technician® yet.
This is where many future RBTs® become confused.
Students may finish the course, receive their training certificate, and then wonder:
- Where do I take the RBT® exam?
- Who completes my Competency Assessment?
- Do I need to find a BCBA?
- Should I apply for a job before becoming certified?
- What documents do I need for my BACB® application?
Here is what happens next—and the two main paths you can take to complete your certification journey.
A 40-hour training certificate confirms that you completed the required educational component of the certification process. It does not grant the RBT® credential by itself.
Under the current BACB® requirements, applicants must complete their training over no fewer than five days and no more than 180 days. After training, they must complete the required Initial Competency Assessment and submit the necessary application documents.
The complete process includes:
- Meet Eligibility Requirements Be at least 18 years old Have a high school diploma or equivalent Pass the required background checks
- Complete the 40-Hour RBT® Training
- Complete the Initial Competency Assessment With a qualified BCBA® or BCaBA®
- Submit Your RBT® Certification Application Include the required assessment and attestation documents.
- Take and Pass the RBT® Exam
- Maintain Your RBT® Certification
Receive ongoing supervision
Follow the RBT® Ethics Code
Complete renewal requirements
Two Pathways to Becoming a Registered Behavior Technician®:
Some ABA organizations hire candidates as entry-level Behavior Technicians before they become certified RBTs®.
Depending on the company, an employer may:
- Provide or pay for the 40-hour training
- Arrange the Initial Competency Assessment
- Connect the employee with a qualified BCBA or BCaBA
- Assist with the BACB® application
- Pay or reimburse application and examination expenses
- Provide exam-preparation materials
- Offer a position after certification
The BACB® allows the 40-hour training to be offered by an employer, university, or online training provider, provided the training meets current requirements.
For someone who already has a supportive employer, this can be a practical and affordable path. The student can gain workplace experience while receiving help with the remaining certification steps.
However, employer-sponsored certification may come with limitations.
Questions to Ask the Employer
Before accepting an employer’s certification support, ask:
- Who will conduct my Initial Competency Assessment?
- How soon can I complete the assessment?
- Do I need to wait for a client assignment?
- Which certification expenses will the company cover?
- Am I required to remain employed for a specific period?
- Will I need to repay expenses if I leave early?
- What happens if the company cannot complete my assessment quickly?
Some employers may require employees to sign a training or repayment agreement. This may require the employee to remain with the organization for a certain amount of time or repay some costs if they resign early.
Employer support can still be an excellent option, but you should understand the agreement before signing it.
Your certification timeline may also depend on the employer’s availability. You could experience delays while waiting for a qualified assessor, an appropriate client, staff availability, or the company’s internal approval process.
Employer policies vary, so always request the terms in writing.
Not every student already has an ABA employer, qualified assessor, or BCBA available to guide them.
Some students purchase a low-cost 40-hour course and only discover afterward that they must find someone qualified to complete the Initial Competency Assessment. They may then become stuck because they do not know whom to contact or how to continue.
ATCC’s Full RBT® Certification Program is designed for students who want structured guidance beyond the training course.
The program includes support with:
- The required 40-hour RBT® training
- Competency Assessment preparation
- A BCBA-administered Initial Competency Assessment
- Background-check requirements
- BACB® application guidance
- Application and examination fees
- RBT® exam preparation
- Practice opportunities
- Resume assistance
- Career preparation and next-step support
This path may be a better fit when you:
- Are completely new to ABA therapy
- Do not currently have an ABA employer
- Cannot find someone to provide your Competency Assessment
- Want help completing your BACB® application
- Prefer a more structured certification process
- Want to prepare before committing to one employer
- Do not want your progress to depend entirely on an employer’s timeline
A full certification program has a higher upfront cost than purchasing the 40-hour training alone. However, it provides support for the steps that frequently cause confusion or delays.
Which RBT® Certification Path Is Right for You?
Both paths can lead you toward RBT® certification.
A stand-alone 40-hour course may be enough when you already have an employer, supervisor, or organization prepared to provide your Competency Assessment and guide you through the application process.
A full certification program may be more appropriate when you need help arranging the assessment, completing the application, preparing for the examination, and understanding the process from beginning to end.
Before purchasing any course, ask yourself:
Who will help me after I complete the 40-hour training?
Knowing the answer before you enroll can help you avoid delays, unexpected expenses, and the frustration of completing training without knowing what to do next.
Do Not Let Your Journey Stop After the Training
The 40-hour course is an important milestone, but it is not the final destination.
Whether you choose employer-sponsored support or ATCC’s Full RBT® Certification Program, make sure you have a clear plan for the Competency Assessment, BACB® application, examination, and ongoing supervision.
ATCC offers flexible options for students at different stages of their journey—from an affordable 40-hour RBT® training course to a comprehensive certification program with step-by-step support.
Explore your options with ATCC and choose the path that gives you the guidance, flexibility, and confidence you need to move forward.
RBT®, BACB®, and Registered Behavior Technician® are trademarks of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. ATCC is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the BACB®.
