40-Hour Training
Pacing rules, provider requirements, and how The New ABA course fits in.
Draft — BCBA review pendingVerify against the official source. Rules change. Before you rely on dates, fees, or forms, confirm them in the current BACB RBT Handbook.
Every RBT applicant must complete 40 hours of training that aligns with the current BACB curriculum outline. This is where you build the knowledge base for supervised practice and for the exam — but training alone does not make you an RBT.
What the training covers
The RBT 2026 40-Hour Training Requirements and Curriculum Outline defines required content areas and minimum hours. Training must reflect the current RBT task list (3rd edition as of 2026).
Topics include measurement, assessment, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, documentation, and ethics — the same domains you will see on the exam and in the Initial Competency Assessment.
Pacing rules
Training must be spread over:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum duration | No less than 5 calendar days |
| Maximum duration | No more than 180 calendar days |
| Day counting | Both the start date and end date count |
Example: Training starting January 1 cannot end before January 5, and must end by June 29 (180 days later).
Cramming 40 hours into one weekend does not meet BACB requirements. The pacing rule exists so material has time to settle — which supports safer practice later.
Who can provide training
Training may come from:
- Your employer
- A university program
- An online training provider
The BACB does not provide 40-hour training, issue training certificates, or endorse specific programs. You are responsible for confirming your course meets current requirements.
Your training provider must not be related to you, subordinate to you, or employed by you.
What you submit
When you finish, your provider gives you a 40-hour training certificate. You upload this certificate with your BACB application.
Previously completed trainings may be acceptable if they meet all current requirements — verify with your instructor before relying on an older certificate.
The New ABA course as one option
Foundations of The New ABA is one path toward the 40-hour requirement. It is free, aligned to the BACB RBT Task List (3rd ed.), and built around child-centered practice — behavioral science in service of the child, not compliance for its own sake.
Be honest about what the course grants:
| You receive | You do not receive |
|---|---|
| A Certificate of Completion from The New ABA | The RBT credential |
| BACB-aligned didactic training | Automatic eligibility to practice |
The RBT credential additionally requires background checks, the Initial Competency Assessment, BACB application approval, a passing Pearson VUE exam, and ongoing supervision. See Application and Competency.
When The New ABA's competency assessment workflow is live, it will support the demonstration step — not replace BACB application and exam requirements.
How training connects to what comes next
| After training | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Initial Competency Assessment | Within 90 days before application; after training ends |
| BACB application | Upload training certificate + assessment + attestation |
| Exam preparation | Review test content outline and training materials |
Training builds knowledge. The competency assessment and exam test whether you can use that knowledge in practice.
What you'll need
- A training program mapped to the 2026 curriculum outline
- A schedule that respects the 5-day minimum and 180-day maximum
- A certificate from an independent provider
- A plan for the competency assessment while material is still fresh
What happens next
Complete the Initial Competency Assessment, then apply through the BACB.
Questions about the path?
Start at the guide hub or verify requirements on the BACB site.