If you want to become a certified Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), the RBT competency assessment is one of the requirements. You’ll need to pass the Initial Assessment. Then comes the RBT exam. After that, you’ll have the yearly Renewal Competency Assessment to face.

The RBT assessment is made up of 20 tasks administered by a certified professional. It also comes with a 40-hour training course.

Passing the assessment can be difficult for some people. However, with the right guide, you can ace it with ease. That is why we’re here to show you how to get it right the first time.

Keep reading to learn more.

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What is RBT Competency Assessment? A-Z

RBT training and competency assessment are administered to candidates who want to become Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).

This 20 tasks assessment is administered by a board-certified professional. The assessor will evaluate your ability to carry out assigned tasks after a 40-hour training.

For an RBT to succeed in this training, he must demonstrate competency in each task. And the assessor has to determine this.

But how does this work? First, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) sets and defines various behavior mechanisms.

Then the RBT must demonstrate proficiency in the terminology, implementation, and evaluation of these behavior mechanisms.

But no worries, you’ll need to complete your 40-hour training first before taking the competency assessment RBT.

With that, you’ll learn a lot about what you need to take the assessment.

RBT Competency Assessment Requirement

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete high school-level education or equivalent
• You must complete the assessment after the 40-hour training is complete
• Also, you cannot complete the assessment more than 90 days before submitting an RBT certification application
• The Initial Competency Assessment: May be conducted over one or more sessions

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What’s on the Competency Assessment RBT?

First, you’re required to complete 20 tasks for the RBT Competency Assessment. You can access a detailed copy of the TASK List (2nd edition) online for free.

Note: While the sample task list above includes the primary tasks you’re likely to perform, it is not necessarily all.

So, your RBT supervisor has the discretion to determine any activities outside of this task list.

In summary, the Task List is organized into the following primary content areas:

• Measurement
• Assessment
• Skill Acquisition
• Behavior Reduction
• Documentation and Reporting
• Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

So you’ll go through a higher level of evaluation during the assessment. This is called the Initial Competency Assessment.

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RBT Initial Competency Assessment (Explained)

RBT Initial Competency Assessment ensures that applicants demonstrate that they can competently perform assigned tasks.

For example, the RBT might be tested on discrete-trial teaching procedures with a client or role play. You can get the full list on pages 4 to 5 of the RBT Initial Competency
Assessment Packet: Requirements. So you’ll be tested on your knowledge and implementation of the following tasks:

1 – 3 Measurement

• Continuous measurement
• Discontinuous measurement
• Data and graphs

4 – 5 Assessment

• Preference assessments
• ABC data

6 – 15 Skill Acquisition and Behavior Reduction

• Discrete-trial teaching
• Naturalistic teaching
• Chaining
• Shaping
• Discrimination training
• Stimulus control transfer
• Prompting
• Token systems
• Crisis/emergency
• Demonstrate one of the following

16-20: Professionalism and Requirements

• Session notes
• Client dignity
• Professional boundaries
• Supervision requirements
• Clinical direction

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What’s the Requirement to Conduct RBT Assessment?

It is only BACB-certified individuals who can administer the RBT test. These include BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D. They must also have 8-hour supervision training.

The assessor implements the assessment and also ensures that the assessment is conducted in accordance with the required quality standard.

The assessor can also delegate some of the assessment to an assistant. However, he must be closely watched since the assistant is not required to have the BACB certification.

This is because the main assessor is ethically and professionally accountable for all the decisions the assistant makes.

The BACB also allows your assessor to be the same person who implemented your 40-hour training course.

After the assessment, he signs the RBT initial competency assessment.

What to Expect During RBT Test

If you registered for the RBT training, then you can take the assessment in person or online in one or two sessions.

During the test, you will perform each of the tasks listed above while the assessor observes you. Afterward, he will evaluate if your performance was satisfactory.

Now let’s look at the types of assessment you can perform based on specific tasks.

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Examples/Types of RBT Competency Assessment

With a Client

Here you’ll perform a task with a client while the assessor observes how you do it.

Role Play

Here you’ll perform the task with someone acting the role of a client while the assessor observes you.

Interview

This is a life in-person or online RBT test with the assessor. You are required to describe or discuss in detail the relevant concept and provide examples when applicable.

Note

At the completion of the task, the assessor may give you corrective feedback on your performance if you didn’t meet the required competency.

However, your competency will be reevaluated at a later date. This will help determine if you have attained the required level of competency.

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What Next After RBT Competency Assessment?

The next phase after the initial competency assessment is the RBT examination. After this comes the renewal competency assessment, which we’ll discuss later.

The RBT Examination

For the RBT exam, you’ll first create an account with the BACB. This will require you to upload all the required documents to complete the process and pay for the application fees.

• Certification Application Processing Fee (paid to the BACB): $50
• Exam Appointment (paid to Pearson VUE): $45

If you reside in the U.S., you have one year from the date your application is approved to sit for the RBT examination.

However, if you already have an account, you can log in here.

For candidates residing outside of the U.S, you can get additional information from the BACB’s International Development & Support web page.

The RBT examination assesses your knowledge of the RBT Task List (2nd ed.). This, however, is at a level consistent with that of an entry-level behavior technician.

You can also decide to take the exam either on site or at a Pearson location. However, you’ll need to prepare before the exam. See how to pass the RBT exam below.

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How to Pass RBT Exam

You can take a variety of preparation tests to assist you in passing the exam the first time. There are both free and paid mock exam study sessions online where you can practice.

Take away:

The RBT Exam requires a lot of preparation. This is because you’ll meet a seemingly endless list of tasks and acronyms.

In addition, there is a wide array of concepts and applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques you’ll combat with.

However, once you register for the course, you immediately get access to the training library with all of the recorded lessons in video format.

You’ll get downloadable slides in PDF and PowerPoint format for each lesson. So you might not need to purchase additional reading material. You can learn at your own pace since you have six months to complete the 40-hour training.

8 Tips on how to ace your RBT Exam:

• Daily reading
• Take notes
• Practice with SAFMEDS
• Research & create study lists from ABA journals and websites
• Practice with some case studies
• Practice interpreting some graphs
• Also, practice the procedures
• Listen to ABA Podcast and watch YouTube videos

RBT Renewal Competency Assessment

The RBT competency assessment renewal demonstrates that already certified RBTs can competently perform assigned tasks.

This is also part of your annual requirements to maintain the RBT certification.

Note: BACB stipulates that the Renewal Competency Assessment cannot be completed more than 45 days before the RBT’s certification expiration date.

How Does the Renewal Competency Assessment Work?

• It can be done in one or more sections
• It May be conducted in person or online
• Just like the initial assessment explained earlier, it can come in three types: with a client, role-play, and interview.
• There’s also room for repeat assessments another day if the RBT fails to demonstrate competency.

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RBT Competency Assessment Free Practice Online

You can check out the following websites for free RBT competency assessment free practice online:

RBT Exam Prep Flashcards – Quizlet

RBT Competency Assessment Quizlet

Free RBT Exam Practice Questions

RBT EXAM STUDY STARTER KIT – Hopebridge pdf

Registered Behavior Technician | RBT | Complete Study

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What are the Advantages of RBT Competency Assessment?

1. You’ll be qualified to assist BCBAs with caring for individuals with special needs.
2. RBT is also one of the high-paying jobs without a college degree.
3. RBTs are also in high demand in the US.
4. You also have the opportunity to work in different settings like schools, childcare agencies, not-for-profit organizations, insurance companies, and more.
5. Finally, the RBT certificate is valid in all states of the U.S. and Canada (Source)

When to do RBT Competency Assessment

If you want to do the RBT assessment then you must fulfill the following;

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete high school-level education or equivalent

Checklist of RBT Competency Assessment

The checklist of RBT Competency Assessment is to be used for supervisory feedback. You can get one from the RBT Initial Competency Assessment: Responsible Assessor Checklist.

RBT Competency Assessment Form Template PDF

You can click here to download the Initial RBT Competency Assessment Form Template PDF. Check pages 4 to 5. You can also download the Renewal Competency Assessment Form Template pdf.

Conclusion

RBTs are in high demand in the U.S. But to become certified, you need the Competency Assessment.

With this certification, you can work in any U.S. state and Canada. If you’re attentive during the 40-hour training, you wouldn’t have difficulty passing the assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions on RBT competency assessment

Who may conduct the competency assessment RBT?

It is only BACB-certified individuals who can administer the RBT test. These include BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D. They must also have 8-hour supervision training.

What is a competency assessment?

Competency assessment is any system designed to measure and document personnel competency.

How do I pass the RBT exam?

8 Tips on how to ace your RBT Exam:

• Daily reading
• Take notes
• Practice with SAFMEDS
• Research & create study lists from ABA journals and websites
• Practice with some case studies
• Practice interpreting some graphs
• Also, practice the procedures
• Listen to ABA Podcast and watch YouTube videos

What is the RBT task list?

According to BACB, the RBT Task List is the basis for the RBT training requirement and the RBT examination. The Task List is organized into the following primary content areas:

• Measurement
• Assessment
• Skill Acquisition
• Behavior Reduction
• Documentation and Reporting
• Professional Conduct, and Scope of Practice

How do I prepare for a competency-based assessment?

• Consider examples of your abilities ahead of time
• Find key competencies related to the job
• Relate the job’s key competencies to your abilities
• Practice your answers with the STAR response technique (Source: indeed.com

Is the RBT exam difficult?

The RBT exam is hard if you don’t study but you can ace it if you pay attention during the 40-hour training course.

Who may conduct the competency assessment RBT?

It is only BACB-certified individuals who can administer the RBT test. These include BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D. They must also have 8-hour supervision training.

What is a competency assessment?

Competency assessment is any system designed to measure and document personnel competency.

How do I pass the RBT exam?

8 Tips on how to ace your RBT Exam:

• Daily reading
• Take notes
• Practice with SAFMEDS
• Research & create study lists from ABA journals and websites
• Practice with some case studies
• Practice interpreting some graphs
• Also, practice the procedures
• Listen to ABA Podcast and watch YouTube videos

What is the RBT task list?

According to BACB, the RBT Task List is the basis for the RBT training requirement and the RBT examination. The Task List is organized into the following primary content areas:

• Measurement
• Assessment
• Skill Acquisition
• Behavior Reduction
• Documentation and Reporting
• Professional Conduct, and Scope of Practice

How do I prepare for a competency-based assessment?

• Consider examples of your abilities ahead of time
• Find key competencies related to the job
• Relate the job’s key competencies to your abilities
• Practice your answers with the STAR response technique (Source: indeed.com)

Is the RBT exam difficult?

The RBT exam is hard if you don’t study but you can ace it if you pay attention during the 40-hour training course.

References

• https://www.bacb.com – RBT Initial Competency Assessment Packet: Requirements
• https://www.bacb.com – RBT® Renewal Competency Assessment Packet: Requirements
• www.bacb.com – RBT Task List (2nd ed.)

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