How to Get RBT Certified | Cost and How Long it Take
To get RBT certified, complete a 40-hour online or in-person training from a BACB-approved provider, pass a competency assessment with a BCBA, and pass the RBT exam. The process typically takes 1–2 months and costs between $100–$300, depending on the training provider and exam fees.
In order to work in applied behavior analysis (ABA), you first need to get certified as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
And whether you’re in Texas or Vermont, the process looks similar, but the laws, costs, and supervision rules can sometimes vary from state to state.
The RBT Certification Process: Step-by-Step
I will speak from my own personal experience and share from Day 1 to test day:
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
Before you think about getting certified, you first need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Pass a criminal background check and abuse registry check (depending on your state)
Step 2: Complete the 40-Hour RBT Training
Next, you need to get into a BACB-approved course based on the RBT Task List (currently 2nd edition, but some providers include 3rd edition prep). It must be:
- Completed in no fewer than 5 days
- No longer than 180 days
- Taught by a BCBA, BCaBA, or other qualified instructor
Most people do this online, and popular providers include: (btw you can get the training in Spanish, but the exam will be in English only).
- ABA Wizard
- Relias
- BDS (Behavior Development Solutions)
- Institute for Applied Behavioral Analysis
Step 3: Pass the Initial Competency Assessment
For this step, you can do this either in person or via live video with a qualified assessor, usually a BCBA.
You’ll be evaluated on practical ABA skills like:
- Prompting
- Reinforcement
- Data collection
- Session setup
- Responding to challenging behavior
Step 4: Apply to the BACB
Once you finish the 40-hour training + pass the competency assessment, you’ll create a BACB Gateway account and submit:
- Proof of training
- Competency Assessment form (signed)
- Background check form
- RBT application fee ($50)
After you are approved, you’ll receive an email from Pearson VUE to schedule your exam.
Step 5: Take and Pass the RBT Exam
If you are a novice and this is your first time taking the exam, here’s how the format looks like. You will have:
- 85 multiple-choice questions
- 90-minute time limit
- Must pass with a scaled score of 200/400 or higher
Your result is shown immediately after. So, if you pass, you’re officially certified. If not, you can retake it up to 8 times in a 12-month period.
Can You Get RBT Certified Online?
Yes, you can get RBT certified online.
Here’s what that can look like:
- Training: 100% online from BACB-approved providers
- Assessment: Remote (live video with BCBA)
- Application: Online submission through BACB Gateway
- Exam: In-person at a Pearson VUE testing center. (Remote proctoring is not available)
So while most of the process can happen online, you’ll still need to show up in person for the actual exam at Pearson Vue exam centres.
In the past, it used to be possible to take the exam online, but now, due to security reasons, they are mandatory to give it offline.
How Much Does It Cost to Get RBT Certified?
There is no one fixed cost, but I have compiled a rough cost breakdown to get it started:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 40-Hour Training Course | $30 – $250 (varies) |
| Competency Assessment | $40 – $100 |
| Application Fee (BACB) | $50 |
| Exam Fee (Pearson VUE) | $45 |
| Fingerprinting/Background | $30 – $75 (varies) |
| Total Estimate | $195 – $520 |
How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?
You can get RBT Certified in 1–3 months, depending on your schedule.
Here’s an average timeline from Reddit and forum users:
- 40-hour training: 1–3 weeks
- Competency assessment: 1 week
- Application processing: 1–2 weeks
- Exam scheduling: within 5–10 days after approval
As you can see, some finish in under a month, especially with online courses. But for others, it can take a bit longer, especially if working full-time or waiting for a BCBA to assess them.
What Skills Will You Learn in the Training?
The 40-hour training + assessment teaches you everything listed in the RBT Task List:
- How to take accurate behavior data
- How to assist in skill acquisition programs
- Managing behavior reduction plans
- Ethical responsibilities
- Documenting and reporting
- Working under supervision
Aside from that, you’ll also learn about reinforcement, prompting, token systems, shaping, chaining, generalization, extinction, and more.
So, lots of learning during the training phase.
What People Say on Reddit and Forums?
I did some scouring on Reddit threads and forums, and I found some common things about the exam that I wanted to share.
Common struggles:
- “I didn’t know how long the application takes, and missed my exam window.”
- “The competency assessment was harder than the exam. I had to roleplay everything.”
- “The test felt more like a judgment of ethics and quick thinking than just ABA terms.”
Helpful advice:
- Practice with mock exams before doing the real one
- Don’t rush the training; apply it to real examples
- Use flashcards to reinforce tough topics
