The December 2025 BACB® newsletter offered more than updates. It revealed a clear picture of what RBTs® and BCBAs® experience in their daily work and highlighted trends that will shape the future of ABA. This newsletter contained guidance on documentation, reminders for supervisors, progress updates on the upcoming RBT Professional Development Unit requirement, and detailed results from the RBT Exit Survey. When viewed together, these pieces capture the state of the workforce and the direction our field is moving.

The themes that emerged are not only administrative. They are relational, systemic, and deeply connected to how ABA teams function. The newsletter outlined expectations, and at the same time, it pointed toward opportunities for meaningful improvement in how we support RBTs, supervisees, and families.

Below are the most important insights from the newsletter and what they mean for the future of ABA.

The RBT Exit Survey Reveals the Conditions of the Frontline Workforce

The BACB shared data from thousands of RBTs who participated in the Exit Survey. Their feedback provides a window into the lived experience of the people delivering the majority of direct ABA services.

Key themes included
• Inconsistent onboarding and limited initial training
• Unclear expectations across settings
• Emotional demands of challenging sessions
• Limited communication with supervisors
• Low confidence in handling complex behavior
• Desire for more ongoing professional development

These findings validate what many in the field have been saying. RBTs want guidance that feels consistent and predictable. They want supervisors who communicate clearly. They want access to training that prepares them for the complexity of real sessions. The exit survey highlights the need for systems that support both learning and emotional regulation, rather than expecting technicians to manage these challenges alone.

This survey sets the foundation for the RBT Professional Development Unit requirement that begins in 2026. It demonstrates why sustained training matters. RBTs have asked for more preparation, more mentorship, and more education that reflects the realities of their work. The upcoming PDU system was developed in response to these needs.

Documentation Accuracy Is Rising in Importance for BCBAs and Organizations

The newsletter emphasized documentation quality in several areas, indicating that the BACB is paying close attention to this aspect of practice. Documentation expectations are not new, but the reminders were direct. Supervisors must ensure accurate and timely records, and RBTs must document sessions in ways that reflect clarity, consistency, and professional responsibility.

Documentation appeared in the newsletter in relation to
• Supervision tracking
• RBT session notes
• Administrative responsibilities
• Ethical expectations across settings

This focus reflects a broader shift toward accountability and transparency. High quality documentation supports clinical clarity, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens communication among teams. It also supports families, who rely on consistent records to understand progress and next steps. Documentation is becoming a key marker of ethical and relational practice rather than an administrative task.

Supervision Quality Continues to Be a Priority for the BACB

The newsletter included guidance for supervisors related to role clarity, communication, and support for RBTs. This connects directly to the exit survey findings. RBTs reported that they often leave positions because they feel confused about expectations or unsupported during emotionally demanding work. Supervision plays an essential role in addressing these concerns.

The newsletter reinforced
• The responsibility supervisors hold for documentation accuracy
• The importance of clear communication
• The need for consistent observation
• The value of predictable and supportive supervisory relationships

These reminders point toward a shared goal. ABA benefits when supervision is steady, present, and grounded in connection. The BACB continues to highlight supervision as a practice that shapes the experience of RBTs and supervisees in meaningful ways.

The Progress Update on RBT Professional Development Signals a New Era of Training

The newsletter provided details about the upcoming RBT Professional Development Unit requirement that begins January 1, 2026. The exit survey created the context for this update. RBTs want more training and more support. The BACB is creating a structure that encourages continuous learning and preparation.

Key points reiterated in the newsletter
• The requirement begins January 1, 2026
• RBTs will complete their regular 2026 renewal with the competency assessment
• After that renewal, the PDU requirement begins
• Each recertification cycle will include twelve PDUs
• PDUs can be earned through structured learning activities

For RBTs, this means a more guided professional development experience. For supervisors, this means building systems that help RBTs grow their skills. For ABA organizations, this is an invitation to create training environments that support curiosity, connection, and emotional regulation.

The Newsletter’s Themes Create a Clear Message for the Field

The December updates paint a consistent picture. ABA is moving toward practices that strengthen the workforce and honor the real conditions of daily service delivery. The newsletter highlights several themes.

• RBTs need training that prepares them for emotional, relational, and clinical demands
• Documentation accuracy affects ethical practice and communication
• Supervisors hold essential responsibility for clarity and support
• Workforce sustainability is emerging as an ethical consideration
• Professional development is shifting toward continuous growth

These trends reflect an evolving field that is paying attention to the human experience of both learners and providers. When RBTs feel resourced and supported, client care becomes more consistent and more compassionate. When supervisors feel equipped, the entire system stabilizes. When documentation is accurate, families and teams receive the clarity they deserve.

The newsletter describes a field that is moving toward relational practice, emotional attunement, and sustainable systems of care.

What This Means for the Do Better Community

The themes in the newsletter align closely with the values of the Do Better Collective. The field is recognizing the importance of
• Connected relationships
• Emotional regulation
• Clear supervision systems
• Meaningful professional development
• Workforce well being

These priorities shape the future of ABA. They reflect a broader understanding that sustainable, compassionate practice emerges when professionals feel supported, prepared, and connected. The newsletter highlights the same elements you have centered in your work for years. It affirms that relational practice and thoughtful professional development are not optional. They are the foundation of effective service delivery.

As the field continues to evolve, communities like the Do Better Collective will play a vital role in helping practitioners integrate these shifts into daily work. Through collaboration, continued learning, and shared reflection, we can build systems that strengthen the workforce and honor the experiences of learners, families, RBTs, and supervisors.

The December BACB newsletter gave us clear information, and it also offered something more meaningful. It reminded the field that growth happens when we learn together.