Recertification and Maintenance

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

Certification is not permanent. RBTs must meet maintenance requirements to stay proficient, supervised, and ethically accountable.

This chapter covers annual recertification (current cycle), upcoming changes, inactive status, and ethics self-reporting.

Two maintenance eras

The handbook uses two overview timelines. Your path depends on when you originally certified and when you recertify:

Through December 31, 2026 (1-year cycle)

After 2026 recertification (2-year cycle)

You must also meet ongoing supervision and ethics requirements throughout. Confirm which cycle applies to you in your BACB account.

Annual recertification (current)

1. Recertification Competency Assessment

Each year, demonstrate ongoing skill proficiency using the RBT Recertification Competency Assessment.

2. Recertification application

Up to 45 days before your expiration date:

1. Log into your existing BACB account (do not create a new one)
2. Open the RBT Recertification Application under the Recertification tab
3. Upload your competency assessment
4. Report whether you (a) met supervision requirements, (b) were not practicing, or (c) did not meet supervision requirements — answer truthfully
5. Affirm compliance with BACB requirements and disclose health, investigation, or disciplinary items if prompted (may require Ethics Self-Reporting Form)
6. Pay the recertification fee and agree to the Application Processing Agreement

Allow about two weeks for BACB processing. You may receive an expiration notice while your application is still under review — check your account status.

Recertification fees (handbook 01/2026)

Reinstatement period

Miss your expiration date? You have 30 days (US Mountain Time) to submit an approvable application plus the late fee.

While inactive during reinstatement, you may not practice, bill, or represent yourself as an RBT.

Failure to recertify

If you do not recertify by the end of the reinstatement period, certification expires. You must meet current eligibility requirements, reapply, and retake the exam to become an RBT again.

After January 1, 2027

RBTs who certify in 2026 or recertify in 2026 will follow updated rules:

Professional development (PDUs)

Earn 12 professional development units (PDUs) during each 2-year recertification cycle.

Does not count: Ongoing RBT supervision, client-specific training, or supervised fieldwork toward BCaBA/BCBA certification.

Repeating the same activity does not earn additional PDUs — the activity must expand knowledge or skills.

Biennial recertification application

Starting 2027, submit a recertification application (with payment) every two years.

Applications open within 45 days of your recertification date and after you enter required PDUs. Complete the application on or before your recertification date to avoid lapses and late fees.

You will still need supervision and ethics compliance between recertification dates.

Inactive status

RBTs may be inactive because they:

• Chose voluntary inactive or military reserve inactive status
• Have no supervisor/coordinator on BACB record
• Missed recertification and are in the reinstatement period
• Have ethics sanctions

Inactive RBTs may not practice, bill, or represent themselves as active RBTs.

No supervisor on record

If no qualified supervisor lists you as a supervisee, the registry shows inactive with "No Supervisor/Coordinator on Record." Reactivation requires a supervisor to add you in their BACB account.

Voluntary inactive status (VIS)

If you need a break but have not missed your expiration date:

• Submit the Voluntary Inactive Application and pay $25
• Apply well before expiration to allow processing
• Stay inactive up to 2 years without annual recertification applications or competency assessments during the pause
• Cannot apply for VIS during a reinstatement period

Returning from VIS:

1. Complete Recertification Competency Assessment within 45 days before reactivation
2. Submit Return from Voluntary Inactive Status Application within 2 years of inactivation ($25)

If you do not return within 2 years, certification expires as of the date it would have expired without VIS.

You cannot request VIS again until you complete one full recertification cycle after returning.

Active duty / reserve status

Service members called to active duty may pause certification for the deployment period (up to 2 years) by contacting the BACB with official orders. No fee. Spouses must use voluntary inactive status if they need a pause.

Ethics and self-reporting

You must follow the RBT Ethics Code (2.0) — 29 standards across general responsibilities, service delivery, and responsibilities to the BACB and supervisor.

Work with your supervisor on ethics questions. The BACB does not provide legal advice.

What to self-report

Report promptly (generally within 30 days of awareness) when required:

When unsure whether to report, the BACB generally recommends reporting. See the self-reporting page.

Failure to respond to BACB contact after reasonable attempts can trigger summary action (e.g., suspension).

What you'll need

• Expiration date from BACB account or Certificant Registry
• Completed annual (or future biennial) competency assessment
• Supervision documentation if audited
• PDU records (after 2027 rules apply)
• Current contact information in BACB account

What happens next

• Keep supervision current → Supervision
• Download official forms → Resources
• Starting the path? → Guide hub