RBT competency assessment: who oversees it and who can help

What it is

The BACB calls it the Initial Competency Assessment and publishes it as its own packet. We do not run it, score it or sign it off. Your assessor does. The BACB's packet is the place to read the rules.

What the BACB says

• Who oversees it (source: the June 2025 packet, not the 2026 packet): a BACB certificant (BCaBA or BCBA) who has completed the 8-hour supervision training is responsible for overseeing the Initial Competency Assessment.
• Who can help (source: the June 2025 packet, not the 2026 packet): the responsible assessor may use assistant assessors, described as holding an active RBT certification or higher.
• The trainer and the assessor (source: the June 2025 packet, not the 2026 packet): it is permissible for the assessor to be the same person who delivered the RBT 40-hour training.
• How it is recorded (source: the 2026 packet): the assessor initials the box next to the task and marks the assessment type used. Read the packet for the types it lists.
• Which version: the BACB marks the current packet as effective January 1, 2026.

This page does not restate any timing rules. Read them in the packet, because the BACB can change them.

The BACB steps list

The BACB's RBT page lists the steps in this order: read the Handbook; meet eligibility requirements; apply through your BACB account; take and pass the exam through Pearson VUE; maintain and renew.

Sources

• Source: BACB, become an RBT page (the steps)
• Source: BACB, RBT Handbook
• Source: BACB, RBT Initial Competency Assessment packet (2026 version, file dated 2025-11-06)
• Source: BACB, RBT Initial Competency Assessment packet (June 2025 version, file dated 2025-06-23)

These are named as plain text, without links. This page is an informational summary and is not affiliated with the BACB. Search for the BACB's documents on its own site and read the current packet, because the BACB can change the rules.