BACB® Announces Major Changes for ACE Providers and RBT®s: What You Need to Know for 2026
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) just announced significant changes that will affect both ACE Providers and Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBT®s). These updates go into effect between now and July 2026, with the biggest new requirement being that RBT®s must complete 12 hours of professional development every two years starting January 1, 2026 (after re-certifying for 2026).
Whether you are a BCBA®, BCaBA®, ACE Provider, or RBT®, it’s important to understand how these updates affect you, when they take effect, and what you can do to prepare.
What’s Changing for ACE Providers
Effective Immediately (August 2025)
- ACE Coordinators: New ACE Coordinators must be BCBAs® with at least 5 years of certification and a formal employment or contractual relationship with the provider.
- Organization ACE Providers: New applicants must be legally incorporated or registered entities.
- Leadership Attestation: Organizational leaders must sign an attestation with each application or renewal, confirming compliance and accountability.
Effective July 1, 2026
- Instructor Qualifications: ACE Instructors must be a BCBA®, hold a doctorate in behavior analysis, or hold a doctorate in another field with relevant scholarship or expertise. In addition, they must show topic-specific expertise (for example, 5+ years of practice, 3+ years of teaching, or peer-reviewed publications).
- Co-Presenters: May only deliver content under the oversight of a qualified instructor.
- Event Format Restrictions: Reading an article with a quiz no longer counts as a valid ACE event (although journal clubs are still acceptable).
- Terminology Update: The ACE Provider Directory will now be called the ACE Provider Verification Registry.
What’s Changing for RBT®s
Effective January 1, 2026
- New Requirement: RBT®s must complete 12 hours of professional development (PDUs) every two years as part of their renewal.
- Event Requirements: PD must be led by BCaBA®, BCBA®, or BCBA-D® instructors, include clear learning objectives, and follow attendance/documentation rules.
- ACE Provider Responsibility: Providers offering RBT® PD events must comply with the new ACE standards and use the BACB®’s official documentation format.
This is a big shift for RBT®s and their supervisors. Supervisors will need to support RBT®s in meeting this requirement, and organizations will need to provide quality PD opportunities.
Why These Changes Matter
The BACB®’s updates signal a clear move toward higher standards for both CEUs and PDUs. The goals are to:
- Increase accountability for ACE Providers
- Ensure instructors have topic-specific expertise
- Provide RBT®s with structured professional development that supports growth and service delivery
For BCBAs®, these changes also connect back to the ongoing requirement of 32 CEUs every two years (including ethics and supervision CEUs). These updates highlight the importance of planning CEUs intentionally and choosing providers who align with best practices.
How to Prepare
- For ACE Providers: Review your roster of instructors now and confirm that they will meet the new qualifications by July 2026. Audit your event formats to ensure compliance.
- For RBT®s: Begin planning professional development pathways that align with your renewal cycle starting in 2026.
- For Supervisors and Organizations: Build RBT® PD into supervision structures and make sure your RBT®s know about this requirement well before renewal time.
The Do Better Collective Difference
At the Do Better Collective, we are committed to helping BCBA®s, BCaBA®s, RBT®s, and organizations stay ahead of evolving BACB® standards. Our CEU and professional development opportunities already reflect the BACB®’s emphasis on cultural responsiveness, ethics, and evidence-based practice.
Whether you’re an RBT® looking to meet the new professional development requirements, a BCBA® planning your 32 CEUs for renewal, or an ACE Provider preparing for the July 2026 changes, our community is here to support you.
Explore our membership for ABA continuing education opportunities, or browse our individual CEU courses designed for real-world application.
The BACB® is raising the bar for continuing education and professional development. While these changes may feel like a lot, they ultimately serve to strengthen our field and ensure compassionate, competent, and ethical service delivery.
Stay ahead of the curve. Join the Do Better Collective today and discover ABA CEU opportunities and RBT® professional development resources designed to keep you confident and compliant.
Thank you Megan, this is so helpful! I am so busy, I almost missed this update.