How to Renew RBT Certification: Cost & How Often 2025
To renew your RBT certification, complete the Renewal Competency Assessment, meet monthly supervision requirements, submit an ethics attestation, and pay the $35 renewal fee. RBT certification must be renewed annually through the BACB portal, starting 45 days before expiration to avoid late fees.
As you already know, your RBT certification doesn’t last forever.
So, it expires one year after you pass the exam, and if you want to keep working, billing, and staying compliant, you’ve got to renew it the right way and on time.
I’m gonna guide you through the process step-by-step. But if you want the short version, here it is.
| Action | Timeframe / Notes |
|---|---|
| Begin renewal | 45 days before expiration |
| Ensure supervision | 2×/month, 5% of hours |
| Competency assessment | Within 45 days before renewal |
| Ethics attestation | Along with assessment |
| Submit application & fee | $35 online |
| Processing | 2 weeks |
| Grace period | 30 days post-expiry with $50 late fee |
| Reapply if expired | Full process if >30 days lapse |
| Voluntary inactive option | Pause certification without losing it |
How to Renew Your RBT Certification?
1. Complete the Renewal Competency Assessment
Ok. Let’s start from the beginning. Before you fill out your application form, you must complete the Renewal Competency Assessment and which is within 45 days before your expiration date.
Only the official BACB renewal form is accepted.
A BCBA or BCaBA must then assess your skills either in person, over live video, or using role-play or client recordings.
⚠️ Don’t use your old Initial Competency form. It will get rejected.
2. Track Your Supervision Hours
Next, to renew, you must show proof that at least 5% of your total ABA service hours were supervised monthly.
You also need signed supervision logs and must keep them for 7 years, even if your agency tracks them too.
3. Fill Out the Renewal Application
Go to your BACB account and click on “RBT Renewal,” and fill out the application.
You’ll need to enter:
- Your personal details
- Employment info
- Your supervisor’s name
- Upload your completed Renewal Competency Assessment
4. Pay the Renewal Fee
Once you have submitted the application and filled out the documents, and uploaded them, pay the $35 fee online.
My Personal advice is to submit everything at least 2 weeks before expiration. BACB reviews can take 1–2 weeks, and delays happen.
So, it’s always a good thing to be a little early rather than late.
What Happens If You’re Late?
If you miss the deadline and are late, the BACB will give you a 30-day grace period, but you’ll pay a $50 late fee on top of the $35.
And even after you go past that 30-day window and still do not renew it, your certification expires.
At that point, you’ll have to:
- Complete another Initial Competency Assessment
- Submit a new application
- Retake the entire RBT exam
How often Do You Have to Renew Your RBT Certification?
You have to renew your RBT certification every 12 months.
For example, if your certification date was July 1, 2024, your renewal deadline is June 30, 2025.
But starting in 2026, renewals will switch to every 2 years.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew RBT Certification?
- Standard renewal fee: $35
- Late renewal (if within 30-day grace period): +$50
- Total if you’re late: $85
In case you miss the grace window, your certification becomes inactive, and you’ll need to start from scratch, including retaking the exam.
To start your own Practice, you can click here to get a quick idea.
