RBT Credential - Aug 27, 2020
Recently I have been experiencing an influx of queries regarding RBT certification and I wanted to provide a post to help those determine whether contacting a BCBA (or BCaBA) is the right decision.
The RBT credential is not a stand-alone credential. What I mean is: it is not a certification to "have" the same way you would have taken a babysitting course once. It is designated with the correct background, education, and testing as well as the understanding that you are actively practicing in the field.
If you're interested in the field, contact someone from the BACB website and ask them about the types of jobs, ask them about the requirements of the positions, determine whether the positions fit what you're looking to do.
When you finish going through the course sequence: find a job in the field, ensure the agency is comfortable with you being supervised by someone outside the agency if they don't have supervision available internally. Once you've secured that permission, contact members on the BACB website who are eligible to supervise you and send a short paragraph explaining your role, the responsibilities of your role, the number of hours you practice ABA per week, and confirm that you've spoken to your agency about it, so next steps can be taken.
Unfortunately, being an RBT in the school system would provide an equivalent level of education, training and supervision that would be consistent for everyone - this is not the current reality. Therefore, if your role is within a school board (and I can't speak for every single one) the likelihood is that you cannot achieve the RBT credential. You can certainly complete the course, but that is not equivalent to being an RBT as that designation is only
provided through the BACB.
All information provided above is in hopes of sharing a lay-mans description of why many of you have not received a reply when you've reached out to BCBAs per the BACB website.
Unfortunately, organizations encourage you to seek education without providing explanation of the requirements for the credential.
If you have further questions, please send them to me.
