Special Tips
What are the 3 biggest mistakes students make when trying to become an RBT®?
Mistake 1: Taking a 40-hour RBT course from a company that does not offer the Competency Assessment and Background Check with a BCBA. Many RBT students find it very difficult (sometimes impossible) to find a BCBA who is available to provide their necessary Competency Assessment. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you secure a BCBA who will complete your Competency Assessment before starting a 40-hour RBT course with any organization.
Mistake 2: When taking the 40-hour RBT course online, it is a mistake to multi-task and do other things while the videos are playing. Success with the highly technical science of ABA requires paying attention to the lessons and taking notes to study from later.
Mistake 3: Taking your RBT® Competency Assessment without a BACB® compliant client is a BIG MISTAKE! In 2025, an RBT® Competency Assessment BACB® Compliant Client is required by the BACB® and only included in the ATCC Full RBT® Certification Program. At ATCC, all RBT® Competency Assessments are administered by a BCBA® currently supervising clients with the CARE Academy (I-CARE.org). All ATCC students are required to enter a contractual agreement with the CARE Academy to provide volunteer Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) services. Upon entering into this contractual relationship with the CARE Academy, you may begin providing volunteer ABA services to clients of the CARE Academy (I-CARE.org). All volunteer ABA services provided to CARE Academy clients are supervised by a CARE Academy supervising BCBA®. *Important The BACB® requires that the BCBA® supervisor, "responsible assessor, assistant assessor(s), and RBT applicant must be employed at (or all have a contractual relationship with) the same organization. That organization must also be the entity providing services to the client involved in the assessment. This relationship requirement applies to the entire assessment and not just the portions involving clients. These relationship expectations are currently in place but will be enforced for all RBT certification applications submitted on or after January 1, 2025. “ [BACB Newsletter September 2023]
Where can I go to make sure I have a BCBA to provide my BACB required Competency Assessment?
Easy: ATCC offers an online RBT Competency Assessment.
Is there a BCBA who will help me navigate the confusing process of becoming an RBT?
Yes: Call 1-877-770-2822 and ask to speak to a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).