RBT requirements in New York

The rules that affect RBTs

• New York has no state credential for behavior technicians; NYSED states: "The State does not set standards for unlicensed personnel".
• Education Law 8803 restricts the practice of ABA to people who are licensed, certified or exempt, and Section 8807 has no general exemption for technicians.
• Section 8807 exempts specific groups, including early intervention ABA aides, students, family members, government agency and school employees, and graduates gaining supervised experience for national certification.
• Unlicensed members of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a licensed professional may help implement an ABA plan but may not create, modify or terminate a plan or assess patients (8807(5)).
• NYSED guidance: unlicensed personnel in a support capacity may carry out specific, scripted activities designed by the licensed behavior analyst, prepare session materials, and record data without interpretation.
• The delegating licensee remains responsible and may face professional misconduct charges for delegating professional responsibilities or failing to provide substantive supervision.
• New York licenses Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBA) and certifies Certified Behavior Analyst Assistants (CBAA) through the State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

BACB requirements apply everywhere

Whatever the state adds, RBT certification itself is the same in every state: the 40-hour training, the Initial Competency Assessment, the BACB exam, and ongoing supervision of at least 5% of your service hours each month. In New York, your supervising BCBA must also hold the state license. Your employer and the programs that pay for services, such as Medicaid or insurers, can have their own requirements too. See how to become an RBT.