Multiple relationship
A mixing of two or more of an RBT's roles, such as professional and personal, with a client, stakeholder, supervisor, coworker or someone closely connected to a client.
A multiple relationship exists when an RBT has more than one kind of relationship with the same person, for example being a client's RBT and also their family friend, babysitter, neighbor, relative or business partner. The RBT Ethics Code (2.0) defines it as a mixing of two or more of an RBT's roles (for example, professional and personal) with a client, stakeholder, supervisor, coworker, or someone closely associated with or related to the client.
Multiple relationships are risky because they can create conflicts of interest and harm the client. A friendship can make it harder to report data objectively, follow the plan when the family disagrees, keep information confidential, or end services when appropriate. The code requires RBTs to avoid multiple relationships with clients, coworkers and supervisors. If one develops, the RBT immediately informs their supervisor, works to resolve it, and documents these actions. If the multiple relationship involves the supervisor, the RBT reports it to the supervisor's manager or another appropriate entity, such as human resources or the BACB, and documents that.
Some multiple relationships cannot be avoided, such as in small communities. Task F.7 asks RBTs to know the types and risks of multiple relationships and how to reduce those risks when they are unavoidable, for example by keeping clear boundaries, telling the supervisor, and following the supervisor's mitigation plan.
Related standards prohibit romantic or sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders or supervisors, and limit gifts, which can lead to multiple relationships.
Example and non-example
| Example | A caregiver asks their child's RBT to babysit on weekends for pay. The RBT explains that they cannot, tells their supervisor about the request and documents the conversation. |
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| Non-example | An RBT and their coworker both attend a mandatory company training. They share only a work relationship, so there is no mixing of roles. |
Don't confuse it with
| Conflict of interest | A conflict of interest is an incompatibility between private and professional interests, which a multiple relationship often creates; a multiple relationship is the overlap of roles itself. |
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| Confidentiality | Confidentiality concerns protecting information, while a multiple relationship concerns overlapping roles; a multiple relationship can put confidentiality at risk. |
Test yourself
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Question 1An RBT and their supervisor have become close friends who now spend most weekends together. Where should the RBT report this?
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A: To the supervisor's manager or other appropriate entity. When a multiple relationship involves the supervisor, the code says to report it to the supervisor's manager or another appropriate entity, such as human resources or the BACB, and document it (Standard 1.10).
- B: A close personal friendship with a supervisor is a multiple relationship, wherever it takes place.
- C: Caregivers are not the right people to resolve a relationship between staff.
- D: The code directs this report above the supervisor because they are involved.
Task E.2 · RBT Ethics Code 1.10
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Question 2Which BCBA could NOT serve as an RBT's supervisor?
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C: A BCBA who is the RBT's cousin. The RBT may not be related to, superior to, an employer of, or in a multiple relationship with their supervisor. Paying for supervision services does not make the RBT the supervisor's employer, and a contract with the client meets the oversight rule.
- A: Working at the same agency is the usual arrangement.
- B: An RBT paying for supervision is not considered the supervisor's employer.
- D: A contractual relationship with the client is allowed.
Task F.3 · RBT Ethics Code 1.04 · RBT Handbook p. 19
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Question 3In the RBT Ethics Code, a multiple relationship occurs when an RBT:
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D: mixes two or more roles with the same person. A multiple relationship is a mixing of two or more of an RBT's roles, such as professional and personal, with a client, stakeholder, supervisor, coworker, or someone closely associated with or related to the client.
- A: Serving several clients is still a single professional role with each of them.
- B: Having more than one supervisor is allowed and does not mix roles.
- C: Working across settings such as home and clinic does not add a second role.
Task F.7 · RBT Ethics Code 1.10 · 40-hour curriculum section G
Answer every question to see your score.
On the RBT exam
This term belongs to task F.7 Multiple relationships in content area F, Ethics, which is 11 of the 75 scored questions.