The RBT Ethics Code (2.0), explained

Every RBT applicant and certificant must follow the RBT Ethics Code (2.0), in effect since January 1, 2022. It has 29 standards in three sections. Ethics is 11 of the 75 scored questions on the exam, and the code also shapes many documentation and supervision questions.

What the code is and how it works

The RBT Ethics Code (2.0) is the set of ethics standards the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires every Registered Behavior Technician to follow. It took effect on January 1, 2022, replacing the 2018 version, and it applies to RBT applicants as well as certified RBTs. It contains 29 standards in three sections: general responsibilities, responsibilities in providing behavior-technician services, and responsibilities to the BACB and to the BACB-required supervisor.

The code covers all of an RBT's behavior-technician work, in every setting (home, clinic, school or community) and every mode of contact, whether in person, by phone, email, text or video. It doesn't govern an RBT's personal life unless personal behavior clearly poses a risk to the health and safety of clients, stakeholders or coworkers. Not knowing or misunderstanding a standard is not an excuse for breaking it, and RBTs must also follow the laws and the rules of other relevant bodies such as employers and licensure boards.

RBTs work under the direction and close supervision of an RBT Supervisor and/or RBT Requirements Coordinator, whom the code calls the "supervisor" and who is responsible for all the RBT's work. So when an RBT needs to interpret a standard or faces an ethical dilemma, the first step is to get support from the supervisor and other appropriate people at work. Throughout, the RBT puts following the law and the client's interests first.

The code rests on four core principles shared with the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity and respect; behave with integrity; and ensure their own competence. When a situation isn't covered word for word by a standard, these principles point toward the right action.

RBTs also have a duty to inform the BACB of potential ethics violations by other BACB certificants. When an RBT suspects a violation, the code's introduction sets out the steps. First, bring it to the supervisor's attention and try to resolve it. Second, document every action taken, such as what was done, the dates, the people involved and the outcome, and keep all related records. Third, if the matter can't be resolved directly, report it to the appropriate authority, which may be the supervisor, the employer, a licensure board or law enforcement. If it involves a violation of the RBT Ethics Code or the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and isn't resolved with the supervisor's support, report it to the BACB.

The BACB enforces the code through its Code-Enforcement Procedures to protect clients, stakeholders, certificants and the profession. The pages that follow explain each of the 29 standards in plain language, with the exact time limits and dollar amounts the code sets and realistic situations showing what an RBT should do.

The numbers to know

Gifts	No more than $10 US (or equivalent purchasing power). in value (standard 1.11)
Romantic relationships with former clients or stakeholders	At least two years after the professional relationship ends. (standard 1.12)
Supervision by a former partner	No supervision from a past romantic or sexual partner until at least six months after the relationship ended. (standard 1.12)
Self-reporting to the BACB	Within 30 days of the event or of becoming aware of it. (standard 3.04)
Telling your supervisor about a change in your certification status	Within 24 hours of learning of it (standard 3.07)

Section 1: General Responsibilities

1.01 Honesty and following the rules	RBTs are truthful themselves and help keep their workplace a place where others are truthful too. They never push or encourage anyone toward fraud, illegal acts or unethical conduct, and they obey the law as well as the rules set by the BACB, their employer and their supervisor.
1.02 Professional conduct and keeping commitments	RBTs behave professionally, take responsibility for what they do, and make a real effort to keep the promises they make at work, including those in their employment agreements. When a commitment can't be kept, they work it out with their supervisor in the way that best serves the client.
1.03 Working in a defined role under supervision	RBTs provide services under their RBT certification only within a clearly defined role and only while receiving close, ongoing supervision. An RBT is not an independent practitioner; a qualified supervisor directs the work and is responsible for it.
1.04 Never the employer of your supervisor	An RBT can never be the employer of their own supervisor. The code makes one allowance: an RBT who is also a trainee, earning supervised fieldwork toward BCBA or BCaBA certification, may separately contract for that fieldwork supervision.
1.05 Accurate claims about qualifications and services	RBTs never knowingly make false, misleading or exaggerated statements about their qualifications or the services they provide. When an employer or supervisor asks, they hand over current, accurate credentials.
1.06 Competence	RBTs begin providing services only after their supervisor confirms they have shown competence, and they keep evaluating that competence with their supervisor. If they are asked to do something beyond the scope of their certification or their competence, they tell their supervisor or another appropriate person at work right away and document it.
1.07 Cultural responsiveness	RBTs work with their supervisor to make their services culturally responsive. They examine their own biases and their ability to serve people with different backgrounds and needs, and they get any training they need under their supervisor's direction.
1.08 No harassment or discrimination	RBTs do not harass or discriminate against anyone, including clients and coworkers. They treat people fairly and inclusively regardless of characteristics such as age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis protected by law.
1.09 Personal biases and challenges	RBTs recognize that their own biases or personal challenges, such as health conditions or legal, financial or relationship problems, can affect their work. When that may happen, they take steps to deal with it and document those steps.
1.10 Multiple relationships	RBTs avoid mixing their professional role with another relationship, such as friend, relative or business partner, with clients, coworkers or supervisors. If a multiple relationship develops, they tell their supervisor right away, work to resolve it and document it; if it involves the supervisor, they report it to the supervisor's manager or another appropriate body.
1.11 Gifts	Since exchanging gifts can create conflicts of interest and blur professional roles, RBTs don't give gifts to, or accept gifts from, clients, stakeholders or supervisors if the gift is worth more than $10 US (or the same purchasing power in another currency). A small gift is acceptable when it is an occasional thank-you and doesn't financially benefit the person receiving it.
1.12 Romantic and sexual relationships	RBTs do not have romantic or sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders or supervisors. The code also sets waiting periods for former clients and stakeholders (at least two years), for former supervisors (until the end of the professional relationship is documented) and for being supervised by a former partner (at least six months).

Section 2: Responsibilities in Providing Behavior-Technician Services

2.01 Do no harm and mandated reporting	RBTs avoid harming their clients and act in their clients' best interest. They know the mandated-reporting requirements that apply to them and follow them.
2.02 Following direction, accurate implementation and documentation	RBTs follow their supervisor's direction, carry out services accurately, and complete all required documentation accurately, including client data and billing records. In short, they do what the plan says, do it the way it was designed, and make sure every record matches what really happened.
2.03 Professionalism and using feedback	RBTs act professionally in all work activities, including delivering services, receiving training and receiving supervision. When supervisors give feedback, RBTs act on it to improve their performance.
2.04 Unfamiliar interventions and populations	RBTs don't use interventions they are unfamiliar with, or serve client populations they are unfamiliar with, until they have been properly trained. Something new to the RBT calls for training first, not learning on the job with a client.
2.05 Restrictive and punishment-based procedures	RBTs use restrictive or punishment-based procedures only when two conditions are both met: the procedure is part of a documented behavior-change plan, and their supervisor has verified that the RBT can carry it out competently. A request from a teacher, caregiver or coworker, or a procedure the RBT has not been checked on, is never enough.
2.06 Taking questions and concerns to the supervisor	When RBTs, or people around them such as caregivers and coworkers, have questions or concerns about the RBT's services, the RBT brings them to the supervisor. The supervisor designs and is responsible for the services, so the supervisor is the one who answers clinical questions and decides on changes.
2.07 Protecting clients' rights and safety	When RBTs find out that a client is at risk of harm or that a client's legal rights are not being respected, they take the actions needed to protect the client. They report it to their supervisor, follow organization policy and document what they did, and sometimes they also need to contact outside authorities such as law enforcement, the BACB or a licensure board.
2.08 Confidentiality and privacy	RBTs protect the confidentiality and privacy of clients, stakeholders and others in the workplace by following the requirements of the BACB, their employer and the law. They keep client information and records confidential whenever they handle them.
2.09 Client information on social media and websites	RBTs don't share identifying information about clients, such as photos, videos or written details, on social media or websites. This applies to personal and professional accounts, public and private groups, and posts where the client's face is hidden but other details could identify them.
2.10 Discussing and sharing client information	RBTs discuss confidential client information only as their supervisor directs, unless the law allows it for a valid reason such as protecting the client or others from harm. In job-related communications such as emails and documentation, they share only the client information that is needed.

Section 3: Responsibilities to the BACB and BACB-Required Supervisor

3.01 Meeting BACB and supervision requirements	RBTs comply with all of the requirements of the BACB and their supervisor. That includes the supervision requirements, documentation of supervision, and audits.
3.02 Honesty with the BACB and your supervisor	RBTs are honest and accurate in every communication with the BACB and their supervisor. If they learn they gave the BACB inaccurate or false information, they contact the BACB immediately to correct it; if they gave it to their supervisor or employer, they contact them immediately to correct it and work out whether a self-report to the BACB is needed.
3.03 Exam and competency assessment integrity	RBTs don't cheat, or help anyone else cheat, on RBT competency assessments or the RBT exam. They follow the rules of the BACB and its approved testing centers, including the rules against falsifying information and against unauthorized collection, use or sharing of exam materials.
3.04 Self-reporting to the BACB	RBTs know which events they must self-report to the BACB and to other required parties such as their employer or supervisor. They report to the BACB within 30 days of the event, or within 30 days of becoming aware of it.
3.05 Intellectual property	RBTs don't misuse the intellectual property of the BACB, such as its certification titles and exam content, or of others, such as an employer's proprietary materials. In practice, they use the RBT title only as their certification status allows, keep exam content confidential, and don't copy or share materials that belong to someone else without permission.
3.06 Responding to BACB notices and required actions	If an RBT is named in a Notice of Alleged Violation or receives a required action from the BACB, they share the document with their supervisor immediately. They then work with the supervisor to respond to any correspondence and meet all BACB requirements.
3.07 BACB account and certification status	RBTs check their BACB account regularly, for example monthly, to make sure their personal information is accurate. Within 24 hours of learning that their certification status has changed, for example to inactive, expired, suspended or revoked, they tell their supervisor and then follow BACB requirements on practice, billing and use of the RBT title.

Source: BACB, RBT Ethics Code (2.0), updated 08/2024. The explanations are ours; read the official code for the exact wording. The BACB doesn't interpret the code for individuals: take questions to your supervisor.