RBT Exam Pass Rate Revealed | First-Time vs. Retake %
In 2024, the RBT exam pass rate was 73% for first attempts and 36% for retakes. 82,681 new RBTs were certified, bringing the total to 196,579.
When you search online for the RBT exam, you’ve probably seen the same generic advice floating around: “Study the Task List” or “Review your notes.”
I mean, that’s totally fine, but if you want to pass and feel confident walking in, trust me, you need more than the basics.
I’ve trained students for years, and I’ve seen it all: the “I barely studied but passed” stories, the near-miss heartbreaks, and the last-minute comebacks. Here, I’m giving you real numbers, real experiences, and a practical, one-week plan to help you crush the exam.
RBT Passing and Fail Rates
The BACB releases RBT exam stats every year. Here’s what the data shows:
| Year | First-Time Pass % | Retake Pass % |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 84% | 52% |
| 2021 | 83% | 53% |
| 2022 | 77% | 44% |
| 2023 | 74% | 41% |
| 2024 | 73% | 36% |
- First-time pass rates have been slipping, 84% in 2020 vs. 73% in 2024.
- Retake pass rates are much lower, only 36% passed on the second try last year.
- The number of certified RBTs is growing fast: nearly 200,000 active by the end of 2024, and over 218,000 by mid-2025.
- Training quality varies wildly. BACB data shows some providers have 100% pass rates, others as low as 20–40%.
RBT Certification Growth by Year
| Year | New RBTs Certified | Total RBTs by Year End |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 40,460 | 89,122 |
| 2021 | 47,840 | 112,317 |
| 2022 | 53,146 | 130,273 |
| 2023 | 67,001 | 160,041 |
| 2024 | 82,681 | 196,579 |
My Students’ Real RBT Exam Experiences
Over the years, I’ve watched my students walk into the Pearson VUE testing center with every possible mix of confidence and nerves.
James was sure he would crush the test. He later told me, “I honestly barely studied, I just kept practicing the scenarios like you showed me.” When he saw his passing score on the screen, he thought it was a glitch. His win came from knowing how to apply the concepts and not just memorizing definitions.
I’ve also had students who assumed the exam would be easy because they’d already been working in the field.
They quickly learned that knowing your job and knowing how to take the test are two very different skills
So, the Lesson from all of them over the years, we can say
- Don’t rely on memorization alone.
- Practice understanding the format and phrasing.
- Stay calm and know that mental state is half the battle.
Why Pass Rates Are Dropping?
A lot of people ask me, “Why is the pass rate lower now than a few years ago?”
Here’s what I’ve seen:
- More people taking the exam means a bigger range of readiness.
- Training program quality isn’t consistent; some schools produce near-perfect pass rates, while others don’t prepare you for the real test.
- Question wording trips people up, and knowing the term is one thing; spotting it in a long, scenario-based question is another.
FAQs
What is the RBT first-time pass rate?
RBT first timer pass rate is 73% in 2024.
How many RBTs are active now?
Over 218,000 as of mid-2025.
Is the RBT Exam easy?
No, the exam is not necessarily easy nor extremely hard, but the content is straightforward. It is the tricky wording and complex scenario that can make it harder.
How often do retakes pass?
Only about 36% of retakers passed in 2024.
I’ve seen students with minimal study pass, and I’ve seen smart, experienced people stumble because they didn’t prepare for the style of the test.
So, my advice would be, if you want to beat the odds, you need both content knowledge and strategy.
This guide gives you both.
Use it, commit to the plan, and walk into that testing center ready to see “PASS” on your screen.
