What Changed for RBTs in 2026: The New Exam, 12 PDUs, and Two-Year Renewal

By LaKeysha Cobbs-Hayes, MA, BCBA · Last reviewed 2026-10-14 · 8 min read

On January 1, 2026, the BACB changed how people become RBTs and how they stay certified. If you're working toward the credential, your training and exam are different. If you're already certified, your renewal works differently. Here's what changed, in plain language.

If you're becoming an RBT

The exam is based on a new outline

The RBT exam is now based on the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.). The BACB's February 2026 Newsletter confirmed that there is no longer any BACB document called a "task list." If your study materials still use that term, check whether they've been updated.

Here's how the content areas changed, according to the December 2023 BACB Newsletter:

New name (3rd ed.)Old name (2nd ed.)Old questionsNew questions
A. Data Collection and GraphingMeasurement12 (16%)13 (17%)
B. Behavior AssessmentAssessment6 (8%)8 (11%)
C. Behavior AcquisitionSkill Acquisition24 (32%)19 (25%)
D. Behavior ReductionBehavior Reduction12 (16%)14 (19%)
E. Documentation and ReportingDocumentation and Reporting10 (13%)10 (13%)
F. EthicsProfessional Conduct and Scope of Practice11 (15%)11 (15%)

The total number of tasks went from 37 to 43. The biggest shift is in Ethics, which now lists 10 specific tasks instead of referring to the whole RBT Ethics Code. Those tasks include social media, multiple relationships, gift giving, and ongoing cultural humility. Graphing is also now named directly in Domain A.

The exam format, according to the RBT Handbook, is 75 scored questions plus 10 unscored questions, with 90 minutes to finish.

The 40-hour training changed

Your 40-hour training must follow the RBT 2026 40-Hour Training Requirements and Curriculum Outline. The curriculum includes 20 hours on behavior-change interventions, 5 hours on ethics and professionalism, and new content on preparing for service delivery, including building rapport and gaining assent.

This matters if you trained under the old curriculum. According to CentralReach, applying in 2026 with a certificate from a 2nd edition course will result in a rejected application. If your training certificate is from before 2026, check with your employer or training provider before you apply.

The initial competency assessment was updated

There were small changes to the initial competency assessment. CentralReach notes that the interview option was removed from the measurement section and that any assistant assessor must now hold RBT certification or higher.

If you're already an RBT

Renewal moves from every year to every two years

RBTs now recertify every two years instead of every year.

PDUs replace the annual competency assessment

Instead of an annual renewal competency assessment, RBTs need 12 professional development units (PDUs) in each two-year cycle. According to CentralReach, current RBTs complete one more renewal in 2026 with a competency assessment, as before. After that renewal, the two-year cycle begins, and PDUs start counting.

A few things to know about PDUs:

  • They must come from a qualified provider. Not every free webinar counts.
  • The RBT Handbook says ongoing supervision and professional development are separate requirements. One event can't count for both.
  • BCBA CEU events don't automatically count as RBT PDUs.
  • Self-paced events must now monitor participation. The 2026 ACE Provider Handbook gives at least three knowledge questions per PDU as an example.

Supervision requirements didn't change

The BACB's 2026 transition guidance says the ongoing supervision rules are the same:

  • At least 5% of your service hours supervised each calendar month.
  • At least two face-to-face, real-time contacts per month, with at least one individual.
  • At least one observation of you working with a client each month.

Your supervisor must be BACB-certified

Under the BACB's supervision and training rules, RBTs must be supervised by a BCBA or BCaBA who has completed the 8-hour supervision training. Noncertified supervisors are no longer an option.

A quick checklist

Working toward certification? - My 40-hour training follows the 2026 curriculum outline. - My study materials use the 3rd edition Test Content Outline. - My competency assessor and any assistant assessor meet the current requirements.

Already certified? - I know my next recertification date. - I know when my two-year cycle starts. - I have a plan to earn 12 PDUs from a qualified provider. - My supervision is still meeting the 5% monthly minimum.

Keep going with The ABA Playbook

Whether you're preparing for the new exam or planning your PDUs, you don't have to figure it out alone.

  1. Practice. Take an RBT practice exam built on the 3rd edition outline and see how you do in each new content area, especially Ethics.
  2. Watch. Subscribe to The ABA Playbook on YouTube for plain-language updates when BACB requirements change.
  3. Ask questions. Join The ABA Playbook community on Skool. It's free, and it's a good place to ask about the 2026 changes and hear how other RBTs and supervisors are handling them.

References

About the author

LaKeysha Cobbs-Hayes, MA, BCBA, is the founder of Key Essentials to Behavior Management and Strategic Behavior Consultants. She trains RBTs, supervisors, and clinic leaders and builds practical tools for the people doing the work.

Last reviewed October 14, 2026. Requirements change; always confirm current requirements with the BACB. The ABA Playbook is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.