RBT® Professional Development Requirements 2026: What You Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2026, Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs®) will be required to complete professional development (PD) to maintain their certification with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®(BACB®). This is a big shift for the field, and one that will shape how RBT®s grow in their roles.
But here’s the important part: RBT® professional development is not the same as BCBA® continuing education. The needs of frontline staff are different, and effective training for RBT®s must be hands-on, interactive, and affirming, not just another checkbox.
When Do the RBT® Professional Development Requirements Begin?
The BACB® has set January 1, 2026 as the official start date for the new RBT® professional development requirements. Here’s how that works in practice:
- For the renewals occurring in 2026, RBT®s will still complete the competency assessment as part of their recertification.
- The next cycle (for example, renewing in 2028) will be the first time they must show evidence of completing 12 professional development units (PDUs).
In short, the 2026 renewal is the last one with the competency assessment. The professional development requirement begins with the following renewal cycle.
This update ensures that RBT®s, like BCBA®s and BCaBA®s, have ongoing opportunities to grow. But the format and focus of this growth must look different for it to truly make an impact.
How RBT® Professional Development Differs from BCBA® CEUs
For BCBAs®, continuing education (CEUs) typically involves structured learning events such as conferences, workshops, or scholarly activities. These opportunities are designed to deepen theoretical understanding, build supervision skills, and refine ethical decision-making.
For RBT®s, the story is different. RBT® professional development needs to be:
- Practical: Grounded in the day-to-day realities of direct service.
- Interactive: Built around modeling, role play, feedback, and guided practice.
- Affirming and trauma-informed: Supporting RBTs as whole people, while honoring the dignity and autonomy of the clients they serve.
- Focused on skill growth: Tools that can be applied immediately in sessions, not abstract theory.
In short, RBT® professional development is about confidence and competence in practice, not just compliance with requirements.
Interactive RBT® Training: Meeting the New Standard
At the Do Better Collective, we’ve been preparing for this shift. Our team is building an entire library of short, interactive lessons designed specifically for RBT® professional development. These modules are:
- Bite-sized and engaging
- Neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed
- Focused on practical skills that improve client care
- Designed to empower RBT®s with tools that make their jobs more effective and sustainable
In 2026, we also will offer a new 40-hour RBT® training program that goes beyond compliance. This training is interactive, affirming, and rooted in compassionate, socially valid practice, setting RBTs up for success from the very beginning.
Business Memberships: Free RBT® Accounts for Silver and Gold Levels
For organizations, the upcoming requirements are not just a responsibility, but an opportunity. Supporting RBT®s with high-quality professional development improves retention, strengthens staff confidence, and enhances client outcomes.
Here’s the best part: businesses that join our Do Better Collective Business Membership at the Silver or Gold level receive FREE RBT accounts. That’s $5,000 worth of interactive training per RBT®, completely free with the purchase of BCBA® memberships.
- Silver Membership includes 5 free RBT accounts per BCBA seat.
- Gold Membership includes unlimited RBT accounts, plus additional coaching and training benefits.
This means your staff can access everything from the 40-hour training to ongoing professional development lessons at no extra cost.
Why This Matters
The BACB® may not have said much yet about what counts as RBT® professional development, but here’s what we know:
- RBTs need training that feels relevant, engaging, and affirming.
- Businesses need solutions that are scalable and sustainable.
- Our field needs to move away from “check-the-box” training and toward real growth.
With the January 1, 2026 requirements approaching, now is the time to put systems in place that will support RBT®s not just in keeping their certification, but in thriving in their roles.
Do Better, Together
At the Do Better Collective, we believe that when RBT®s are supported well, everyone benefits: BCBA®s, clients, families, and organizations.
If you’re ready to prepare your RBT®s for the 2026 professional development requirements with training that is interactive, affirming, and impactful, explore our business membership options today.
Learn more about Business Memberships
Together, we can raise the standard for RBT® training and create a culture of growth, compassion, and excellence.
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