Standard 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.
What it means in practice
The limit is a monetary value of "more than $10", so a gift worth $10 or less can be acceptable while anything above $10 is not. The rule runs both ways: it covers gifts you give and gifts you receive. It applies to clients, stakeholders such as parents and other caregivers, and supervisors.
Being under $10 is not enough on its own. The gift must be an "occasional expression of gratitude" and must not bring the recipient financial benefit. A child's drawing or a plate of homemade cookies at the end of the school year fits easily. Small gifts that keep coming, such as a coffee before every session, can become a violation once they are a regular, expected source of value, even if each one is under $10. Cash and gift cards raise the financial-benefit question, so check with your supervisor.
Your employer's policy can be stricter than the code. If your organization bans gifts altogether, you follow that policy.
When a gift you can't accept is offered, decline warmly and explain that it is a professional rule, not a personal rejection. Let your supervisor know, especially if the family is hurt or keeps offering.
Scenarios
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| At the holidays a caregiver hands you a $50 gift card to thank you for the year. | Thank them sincerely and decline, explaining that RBTs can't accept gifts worth more than $10. Tell your supervisor so they can support you if the family is upset. |
| On your last day with a client, the family gives you a card their child drew and a small bag of homemade cookies. | You can accept: it is an occasional thank-you of small value with no financial benefit, unless your employer's policy prohibits all gifts. |
| A parent has started bringing you a $6 coffee before every session. | Each coffee is under $10, but together they are becoming a regular, expected source of value. Thank the parent, ask them to stop, and tell your supervisor. |
| You want to give your supervisor a $40 bottle of wine for their birthday. | Don't. The limit covers gifts to supervisors too. A card or a small token worth $10 or less is fine, if your employer allows gifts. |
| Your employer prohibits all gift exchange, and a caregiver offers you a $3 keychain from their vacation. | Decline kindly and explain your employer's policy. When the employer's rule is stricter than the code, you follow the employer's rule. |
Practice questions
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Question 1An RBT accepts a $60 gift card from a caregiver. When the supervisor raises it, the RBT says they did not know the ethics code addressed gifts. How does the RBT Ethics Code treat this explanation?
Show answer
A: Not knowing or misunderstanding a standard does not excuse breaking it. The code states that lack of awareness or misunderstanding of a standard is not an excuse for failing to comply. RBTs agree to follow the code when they apply, so they are expected to know it, including the $10 gift limit in Standard 1.11.
- B: The code makes no exception for a first violation or for new certificants.
- C: Every RBT agrees to follow the code; a supervisor's silence does not excuse a violation.
- D: The RBT remains responsible for following the code; the employer does not take on that duty.
Task F.1 · RBT Ethics Code 1.11
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Question 2A client's family invites the RBT to the child's birthday party as a guest. What should the RBT do?
Show answer
C: Thank them and check with the supervisor first. A social invitation can start a personal relationship with the family. RBTs seek their supervisor's support when applying the ethics code, so the RBT checks with the supervisor before accepting or declining.
- A: A gift worth more than $10 breaks the gift standard and adds to the personal relationship.
- B: Attending as a guest while providing unplanned services mixes roles further.
- D: Attending outside work hours does not remove the personal role, and the supervisor should know.
Task F.7 · RBT Ethics Code 1.10 · RBT Ethics Code 1.11
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Question 3An RBT learns that a client's parent is a lawyer. The RBT has a personal legal problem. What should the RBT do?
Show answer
C: Not ask the parent for legal advice. Asking a client's caregiver for personal professional services, free or paid, mixes roles and can create a conflict of interest. The RBT keeps the relationship focused on the client's services.
- A: Free professional advice has real value and adds a personal benefit to the relationship.
- B: The timing does not change the mixing of roles.
- D: Paying the parent would create a business relationship, which is also a second role.
Task F.7 · RBT Ethics Code 1.10 · RBT Ethics Code 1.11
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Question 4Under the RBT Ethics Code, RBTs do not give or accept gifts with a monetary value of more than:
Show answer
B: $10 US. The gift standard sets the limit at $10 US, or the equivalent purchasing power in another currency. An employer may set a stricter rule, and then the RBT follows the employer's policy.
- A: The code's limit is lower: $10 US or the equivalent purchasing power.
- C: The code's limit is $10 US, not $5.
- D: A $50 gift is five times the code's $10 limit.
Task F.8 · RBT Ethics Code 1.11
Answer every question to see your score.
Where it sits in the code
Standard 1.11 is in section 1, General Responsibilities, of the RBT Ethics Code (2.0). On the exam it relates to task F.8 Gifts. Read the official text for the exact wording.
Related standards: 1.10 Multiple relationships, 1.12 Romantic and sexual relationships.