Eligibility Requirements

Verify against the official source. Rules change. Before you rely on dates, fees, or forms, confirm them in the current BACB RBT Handbook.

Before you apply, you must meet every eligibility requirement below. These are not suggestions — missing one item can delay or block your application.

Requirements summary

Details for training and competency assessment live in Training and Competency. This chapter covers the personal eligibility checks.

Age and education

You must be at least 18 and have at least a high school-level education (or equivalent) when you apply.

An Attesting Certificant confirms your age and education on the RBT Certification Application Attestation form. That attestation must happen no more than 180 days before you submit your application.

Background checks

Criminal background check

You need a passed criminal background check completed no more than 180 days before you pay the BACB application fee.

The check must be comparable to what is required for home health aides, child care professionals, or teachers in the community where you will provide services. Rules vary by state and employer — fingerprinting is not required by the BACB everywhere, but your state or organization may require it.

If your employer uses continuous monitoring, the date of the most recent result may be used on the attestation form even if it falls outside the 180-day window.

Abuse registry check

You also need a passed abuse registry check within the same 180-day window, using a comparable standard.

If no registry exists where you live, or your organization cannot access registry information, you may mark "Unavailable" on the attestation form. Document your situation carefully in case of an audit.

The Attesting Certificant

Someone qualified must attest to your age, education, and background check results. That person:

• Signs the attestation form (upload it with your application)
• May be asked to provide supporting documentation if the BACB audits your file
• Cannot be related to you, subordinate to you, or employed by you

Plan who will serve this role early. Many applicants use a colleague, agency representative, or training program administrator who meets the independence rules.

Timing matters

Several clocks run at once:

Misaligned dates are a common reason applications stall. Build a timeline backward from your target application date.

State and employer variations

The BACB sets the baseline. Your state, funder, and employer may add requirements:

• Additional background screening or fingerprinting
• State registration or licensure layered on top of RBT certification
• Employer policies about who may attest or assess

When in doubt, check local rules before you invest in training or assessment fees.

What you'll need

• Government-issued ID
• Proof of high school completion (or equivalent)
• Completed background checks meeting the 180-day rule
• An independent Attesting Certificant willing to sign the official form
• Training certificate and completed competency assessment (see linked chapters)

What happens next

Once eligibility items are in motion, move to 40-hour training and the Initial Competency Assessment. When everything is complete, follow the application steps.