How to Become a Registered Behavior Technician

How to Become a Registered Behavior Technician

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) assist with the treatment of patients who have behavioral issues. Mental health facilities, school districts, medical institutes, and early childhood development centers often employ RBTs to assist people with basic life skills and social skills. 

Overall, the occupation focuses on the science of human behavior and how to improve challenging behavior in people who may struggle interacting with others. If you love of psychology and behavioral analysis, a registered behavior technician role offers a good balance of both disciplines. Here’s everything you should know about this career field. 

What is a Registered Behavior Technician? 

Also called a behavioral health technician, an RBT is a paraprofessional certification in behavioral analysis. RBTs assist in delivering behavioral analysis practice and services under the direction and administration of an RBT Requirements Coordinator or an RBT Supervisor. 

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) initially designed RBT certification for settings in which a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is already delivering behavior-analysis services. Therefore, a BACB-certified Registered Behavior Technician will most likely work at an organization in which they support BCBAs and/or BCaBAs in their service-delivery undertakings. 

Why Become a Registered Behavior Technician 

There are many benefits to becoming a certified RBT professional. An RBT certification demonstrates that you have met minimum requirements that are crucial in providing behavior analysis services. The certification provides greater consumer protection, as you must meet certain eligibility criteria to get a certification. For instance, you must pass a criminal background check and an abuse registry check and also meet certain knowledge requirements. Moreover, to maintain certification, you require ongoing supervision and must adhere to an ethics code. 

An RBT certification makes it easier for businesses, funders, and consumers to verify that you have the required knowledge, expertise, and abilities and are not under disciplinary sanctions. Certification is a recognized and respected qualification because it is provided by the BACB, the country’s first organization to certify behavioral analysis professionals. 

Job Outlook for RBTs 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies RBTs into two occupational groups: 1. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, and 2. Psychiatric Technicians and Aides. 

Both occupational groups are likely to have above-average employment growth in the coming years. Psychiatric technicians and aides are likely to experience a 12% growth rate, whereas substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are expected to enjoy a 22% growth rate. These forecasts predict strong job security and prospects for RBT professionals. 

Once you become an RBT, you can expect to earn an average annual income of $42,320, which translates into $20.35 an hour. According to ZipRecruiter, the top earning RBTs (90th percentile) make $57,500 a year in the U.S. The average income range for an RBT varies significantly (by as much as $21,000). This suggests there may be many opportunities for growth and better salary based on skill level, geographic location, and years of experience. 

What Skills Do You Need to Become an RBT? 

To become an RBT professional, you need a few soft skills like strong verbal and written communication skills, time management skills, and multi-tasking abilities. You also need to maintain patient confidentiality and develop strong relationships with patients and colleagues. An RBT must also be empathetic and committed to receiving ongoing training and development. 

Apart from these soft skills, you also need a few specialized skills such as: 

• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) 
• Experience working with people with autism, developmental disabilities, and special needs 
• Experience working with children 
• Data collection and analysis 
• Behavioral health and ABA therapy 
• Understanding of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance 
• Basic life support 
• Assistive technologies 
• Special education 

How to Become a Registered Behavior Technician 

Becoming a Registered Behavior Technician involves several steps. You should be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent to start the application process. You also need to pass a comprehensive background check to ensure you have no prior criminal record. 

To become an RBT, you need to obtain 40 hours of qualified training and successfully complete an RBT initial competency assessment. The 40-hour training eligibility requirement must be supervised by a qualified BACB certificant and may be completed at any time before applying. 

Once you meet the eligibility requirements, submit an RBT certification application. After your application is approved, you have to pass the RBT certification examination. 

How ed2go Courses Can Help You Train to Become a Registered Behavior Technician 

ed2go offers two courses for those interested in working as a certified RBT.  

Our first course (GES1033) is suitable for those with existing access to a qualified assessor or supervisor within their working environment, seeking to only complete the 40hr training eligibility requirement. In addition, this course could also be for those who are not necessarily seeking certification, and just want the knowledge for personal development.  Learn More > 

The second course (GES1051) is suitable for those seeking complete certification, working with an instructor and assessor to meet all RBT BACB eligibility requirements. This course will provide you with a complete pathway and guidance from an instructor on how to become a certified RBT. (coming November 15, 2022) 

GES1033: Registered Behavior Technician 

GES1033 is a 40-hour training course that meets one of the eligibility requirements of the BACB to become an RBT. The course includes training on the RBT task list as well as the RBT ethics code. The ed2go course is overseen by a qualified BACB instructor, and as a student you have 3 months to complete the course.   

In just 45 hours, you will learn how to measure operationally defined behaviors through data collection and graphical representation. Conducted by a qualified and certified BACB instructor, this online course also teaches you how to measure and assess applied behavior analysis, and how to become proactive and reactive in behavior reduction. You can access all course content within three months of enrollment. You will also receive a voucher for the BACB RBT certification exam after you submit an approved application, showing that you have met all eligibility requirements, from the BACB. 

This course does not include the Initial Competency Assessment. It is expected that those signing on for this training course have access to a supervisor or an assessor that can conduct the assessment. The course also does not include a background check. 

GES1051: Registered Behavior Technician  

(coming November 15, 2022) 

GES1051 is a bundled course that includes the 40-hour training course (GES1033) and the Initial Competency Assessment (GES1050; not sold on its own). The Initial Competency Assessment is an additional eligibility requirement needed before you can submit your BACB RBT application. For the assessment, you will have access to a qualified assessor who has completed the required 8-hour BACB training. Within the course you will have the ability to schedule a live session with our qualified assessor to complete the assessment.  

The course is 50 hours long, with six months of access to the learning environment. Assignments are hands-on, along with direct feedback provided by the assessor. All role playing and interviewing for the assessment will be conducted via video conferencing.  

This course is a full pathway to become a certified RBT. In addition to the training and assessment, candidates are also provided with a background screening and a BACB RBT certification examination voucher after providing an approved BACB application.   

What’s Next? 

RBT is an in-demand field with a promising salary potential. This career path requires continued supervision from an RBT Supervisor or an RBT Requirements Coordinator even after you pass the certifying exam. It is best to apply as soon as you have identified a work setting where you will receive appropriate supervision. 

You also need to continuously adhere to ethics and renew your certification annually. As a Registered Behavior Technician, you also have the opportunity to continue your education and advance your career by becoming a BcaBA and a BCBA. 

Ready for Registered Behavioral Technician training? Get in touch to learn more about our courses and start learning today!