RBT recertification and professional development (2026 rules)
From 2026, RBTs recertify every two years instead of every year, and instead of a competency assessment each time they earn 12 hours of professional development (PDUs) per cycle. Here is how it works and how the transition affects you.
The transition
- Certified or recertifying in 2026: current RBTs recertify in 2026 one last time under the old rules, with the RBT Recertification Competency Assessment. Your next date is then two years later. New RBTs certified in 2026 start on a two-year cycle.
- 2027: RBTs who recertified in 2026 don't recertify in 2027. A tab for professional development units appears in your BACB account.
- 2028 onward: RBTs certified or recertified in 2026 must have their 12 PDUs before their date, then submit a recertification application. No competency assessment is required.
12 PDUs per cycle
You must earn 12 hours of professional development units in each two-year cycle. All of them must fall within the cycle you apply them to: for example, if your recertification date is September 30, 2026, only PDUs earned from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028 count toward your next recertification. Extra PDUs don't carry over, and you can't make up missing PDUs during the reinstatement period.
| Type | Provider | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| In-service training on behavior-analytic service delivery (not training on a specific client's program) | A BCaBA, BCBA or BCBA-D at your service organization | RBT Professional Development form from the organization |
| Professional development event | An Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider | RBT Professional Development form from the ACE Provider |
| Behavior-analytic university course, passed with C or higher (or "pass") | An accredited university | Syllabus and transcript |
For university courses, 1 semester credit hour counts as 15 hours and 1 quarter credit hour as 10 hours. There's no limit on how many PDUs come from each type.
What doesn't count
- Ongoing RBT supervision (supervision is client-specific; PDUs are for ongoing education).
- Client-specific training.
- Supervised fieldwork toward BCaBA or BCBA certification.
- Repeating an activity you've already counted, such as the same annual presentation. Two different presentations on related topics can both count.
Content should build on the 40-hour training curriculum, the RBT Ethics Code or other BACB requirements, or other topics suited to RBTs, such as working with supervisors, communicating with clients or managing stress. Enter each PDU in your BACB account as soon as you have its documentation, exactly as it appears on the document.
Recertifying
- Your recertification application appears in your BACB account 45 days before your date, once your PDUs are entered.
- Complete it on or before your recertification date. It includes whether you met the supervision requirements (or weren't practicing), the health and conduct disclosures, and agreement to keep following BACB rules.
- Pay the $50 fee and allow two weeks for processing.
The BACB sends reminders, but keeping your certification current is your responsibility. Recertify through your existing BACB account; a new account can't be used to recertify.
If you miss the date
Your certification becomes inactive on the expiration date, and you can't practice, bill or present yourself as an RBT. You have 30 days to reinstate it with an approvable application and a $50 late fee. After that, the certification expires, and to become an RBT again you must meet the eligibility requirements in force at that time, reapply and pass the exam again.
Common questions
How often do RBTs recertify?
Every two years, for RBTs who certify or recertify from 2026 onward. Before 2026, RBTs renewed every year.
How many PDUs does an RBT need?
12 professional development units (hours) in each two-year recertification cycle, all earned within that cycle.
Does RBT supervision count as professional development?
No. Ongoing supervision, client-specific training and supervised fieldwork toward BCaBA or BCBA certification don't count as PDUs.
What happens if I miss my RBT recertification date?
Your certification becomes inactive and you have 30 days to reinstate it with an approvable application and a $50 late fee. After that it expires, and you must meet the current eligibility requirements, reapply and pass the exam again.
Sources
- BACB, Registered Behavior Technician Handbook (updated 06/2026)
- BACB, Guidance for Meeting RBT Requirements During the 2026 Transition (08/2025)
Checked October 27, 2026. The BACB updates its requirements from time to time; your BACB portal account and the current RBT Handbook are the final word.