December 2025 — The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has released new findings on Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) turnover and outlined sweeping certification and licensure updates set to take effect over the next several years.
Exit Survey Highlights Persistent Challenges in the RBT Workforce
A new BACB exit survey of former RBTs—distributed to over 30,000 individuals whose certifications expired in 2024—reveals that compensation, workload demands, and organizational culture remain the dominant drivers of turnover.
Among the 1,386 respondents (a 4.6% response rate), more than half (57%) cited inadequate pay as a primary reason for leaving the field. High client-related demands (38%), unpredictable pay (34%), and concerns about workplace culture—including poor treatment (44%) and insufficient supervisor support (41%)—were also prominent. Personal life changes were the single most frequently cited factor (58%).
Respondents indicated that higher wages, predictable schedules, stronger supervisor training, and greater respect for RBTs’ role in care delivery would be the most compelling incentives for returning to the profession. The report notes alignment with longstanding research on burnout and turnover in behavior technicians, underscoring the need for systemic organizational improvements.
Significant RBT Certification Changes Coming in 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, individuals seeking or maintaining RBT certification will face revised eligibility and maintenance requirements. These include:
- Updated 40-hour training requirements
- Examination changes aligned with the new RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.)
- A shift to a two-year recertification cycle
- A new requirement for 12 professional development units per cycle
Current RBTs will complete one final recertification in 2026 before transitioning to the new two-year cycle. Application and recertification fees will remain relatively low at $65 and $50 respectively.
BCBA and BCaBA Pathway Updates to Roll Out in 2026–2027
A series of major changes will affect BCaBA and BCBA applicants:
- January 1, 2026: Pathway 2 applicants must obtain coursework attestations from designated program contacts due to the discontinuation of ABAI’s Verified Course Sequence system.
- January 1, 2027: Coursework must meet new requirements; eligibility pathways 3 and 4 will be discontinued.
- 2032: Only Pathway 1—requiring a degree from an accredited behavior-analytic training program—will remain for BCBA eligibility.
These updates signal an ongoing shift toward standardizing university-based behavior analysis training.
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Licensure Compliance Remains a Critical Focus
The BACB reiterates that it is a certification body—not a licensure authority—and reminds practitioners of increasing state regulations governing the practice of behavior analysis.
Thirty-nine U.S. states now regulate behavior analysts, with varying requirements. Because supervision is considered a form of service delivery, supervisors may need to obtain licenses in the states where their supervisees or clients are located, including in cases of remote supervision. Practicing without appropriate licensure may result in disciplinary action, certification consequences, or even criminal charges.
Crackdown on Misrepresentation of Credentials Intensifies
As BACB certifications grow in value—now totaling more than 317,000 certificants worldwide—the organization continues efforts to deter fraudulent credential claims. A public “Falsified Credentials” webpage lists individuals who have misrepresented certification status and failed to comply with corrective actions. The BACB notes this resource has already supported at least one successful criminal prosecution.
Industry Growth Shows No Signs of Slowing
An updated data graph included in the newsletter highlights exponential growth in the profession: certificants have increased from 38,077 in 2015 to more than 317,000 as of October 2025—an eightfold expansion over a decade. The BACB reports ongoing internal investments to support the scale and evolving needs of the field.
