Self-reporting to the BACB

The deadlines

• Critical events: within 30 days of the event or of becoming aware of it (RBT Ethics Code standard 3.04).
• Changes to your personal information (address, email, legal name): update your BACB account within 30 days.
• A change in your certification status (inactive, expired, suspended, revoked): tell your supervisor within 24 hours of learning of it (standard 3.07).
• Supervision noncompliance: report it in a timely manner.

If you're unsure whether something needs reporting, the BACB's advice is to self-report.

What must be reported

Ethics violations

Any violation of the RBT Ethics Code, for example failing to protect a client's privacy, a multiple relationship with a client or supervisor, or failing to keep appropriate client records, including billing documentation.

Health conditions and substance use

A physical or mental health condition or substance use disorder, now or in the past 3 years, that directly affects your ability to provide services safely and competently, if you have no active, effective care plan, if your care provider recommends reporting, or if your care plan is no longer effective. Also hospitalization or a treatment facility in the past 3 years for such a condition without a care plan, and diversion or treatment plans tied to a professional license or to criminal charges in the past 3 years. A diagnosis that's unlikely to affect your services, or one with an effective care plan that you and your provider agree won't affect them, doesn't need reporting.

Investigations

Any investigation naming you (or a company you own or hold a key role in) within 30 days of becoming aware of it, without waiting for the outcome: employer investigations of alleged ethics violations; investigations or audits by a funder, licensing board or other agency triggered by a complaint or irregularity; and routine billing or quality audits that end in repayment and a penalty over $2,500.

Agreements and actions

Within 30 days of the order, charges, decision or agreement, including: being fired for violating an ethics standard; a denied professional license; settlements or consent agreements with a funder or board; required actions such as repayment, probation, suspension or practice restrictions; public health and safety citations over $750, or of any amount if they led to an arrest warrant or jail, or happened with a client present; criminal or civil suits related to behavior-analytic services or involving assault, battery, neglect or abuse; convictions or pleas related to public health and safety or human services; probation, parole and diversion agreements; current detainment; and any unexpunged felony conviction with a maximum sentence of more than 5 years.

What doesn't need reporting

• Credit or tax hearings, personal bankruptcy, and tax, revenue or wage garnishment fines.
• Parking tickets, traffic-camera tickets, and traffic tickets up to $750.
• Family court proceedings such as divorce and custody.
• Layoffs and employer actions that don't involve an ethics violation.
• A first-time DUI or DWI with no injuries, no clients in the vehicle, outside work hours, and not related to a reportable substance use disorder.
• Events you've already reported that the BACB dismissed or cleared, unless told otherwise.

How reports are handled

Reports go through the BACB's self-reporting process, and on an application or recertification a "yes" to the disclosure question means submitting an Ethics Self-Reporting Statement, with the application on hold during review. If the BACB writes to you (for example a Notice of Alleged Violation or an audit), standard 3.06 requires you to share it with your supervisor immediately and work with them to respond. Ignoring the BACB can lead to summary action such as suspension.

The BACB can't give legal advice or interpret the ethics requirements for you; your supervisor is the first person to ask.