If you’re exploring a career in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), you’ve likely come across the title Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®). But what is an RBT—and why is this role such a common starting point for those interested in becoming behavior analysts?

An RBT is a paraprofessional who works under the close supervision of a certified clinician to implement behavior intervention plans. RBTs provide direct, one-on-one services to clients—most often children with autism or other developmental disorders—helping them build skills and reduce challenging behaviors using the principles of ABA.

Working as an RBT can be a valuable first step for students planning to pursue a master’s degree in ABA. Those considering a career in ABA can benefit from learning more about what a registered behavior technician is and how professionals in this role contribute to behavioral health.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®), which certifies RBTs, describes RBTs as paraprofessionals who provide behavior-analytic services. They deliver services under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) or a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®).

ABA is an evidence-based approach that focuses on understanding the relationship between behavior and the environment. Rather than trying to cure or fix a person, ABA supports individuals in building skills that help them navigate the world more effectively and in ways that are meaningful to them. For example, if a child struggles to communicate their needs verbally, ABA can be used to support the child in learning methods to communicate and express their desires, keeping in mind their unique needs and experiences.

ABA is most often used with individuals who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, but it has also been successfully applied in a wide range of contexts that includes sports psychology, organizational behavior, and education.

What Registered Behavior Technicians are responsible for varies depending on the field or industry. Generally, they are tasked with duties such as the following:

• Providing direct therapeutic services to clients
• Recording data on client behavior, which is used to inform treatment plans
• Answering questions from clients and their caregivers

RBTs apply the principles of ABA in one-on-one sessions to support neurodivergent individuals, including those on the autism spectrum, in building practical skills for daily life and social interactions. Their work often includes helping clients develop greater independence, improve communication, and find safer, more effective ways to express discomfort or meet their personal needs.

Rather than focusing on simply eliminating behaviors, the practice of ABA aims to understand the reasons behind them and promote well-being, self-advocacy, and autonomy. Typical sessions may include the following:

• Teaching clients how to communicate their needs
• Promoting independence with daily living activities, like eating or dressing, through skills training
• Helping clients learn how to perform more complex activities by dividing them into smaller steps

RBTs may also collaborate with professionals from other disciplines, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and health care providers.

Registered Behavior Technicians are not permitted to practice without close and ongoing supervision from a BCBA or BCaBA. However, with the increasing use of telehealth for behavior therapy, this supervision can occur virtually. RBTs also are not permitted to do the following:

• Develop client treatment plans independently
• Make clinical decisions independently
• Work with client populations for whom they do not have proper training

To become a Registered Behavior Technician, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or some recognized equivalent, and complete the following steps.

The 40-hour training program that aspiring RBTs must complete covers concepts on the BACB’s list of Registered Behavior Technician tasks. Examples of these tasks include the following:

• Assisting with client assessments
• Collecting client data
• Documenting work and communicating with supervisors
• Helping clients with skill acquisition
• Performing procedures for client behavior reduction

The BACB requires that individuals who are receiving training as RBTs must also pass a criminal background check and a review to ensure they are not listed on abuse registries in their communities. The abuse registry checks must be comparable to the abuse registry checks that home health aides, childcare professionals, and teachers in the same community undergo.

An applicant must next pass an Initial Competency Assessment no more than 90 days after completing the 40-hour training. This assessment consists of 20 tasks that test the individual’s understanding of common behavior mechanisms that RBTs encounter when working with clients.

A certified behavior analyst oversees these assessments in accordance with BACB requirements. Applicants will either conduct a mock client session while the assessor observes or be interviewed by the assessor directly to demonstrate their knowledge of relevant concepts.

After passing a competency assessment, an applicant must submit a certification application and then pass a BACB certification exam. The exam contains multiple choice questions that test knowledge of topics including the following:

• Client assessment
• Client behavior reduction
• Client skill acquisition
• Documentation and reporting
• Professional conduct and scope of practice

Certification is important because it demonstrates that an individual has the proper training to work with clients and is knowledgeable about and bound by the standards and ethics of the profession.

By completing the required training and certification, RBTs hone key skills and competencies that can allow them to support their clients more effectively. These include the following:

• Communication and listening
• Flexibility
• Ability to demonstrate empathy
• Problem-solving
• Working well under stress

The common next step for most RBTs who wish to advance in the field is to work toward the title of Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

BCBAs are independent practitioners who have obtained graduate-level certification. They are allowed to practice without direct supervision.

A BCBA must have a master’s degree, clinical experience hours, and a passing score on the BCBA examination. To practice, many states require certification from the BACB and/or state licensure.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychiatric technicians like RBTs made a median salary of $42,200 in 2024. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, level of experience and education, and employer.

The BLS projects that the field may grow by about 16% between 2024 and 2034. This growth rate greatly exceeds the projected average growth of 3% for all occupations during the same period.

BLS data suggests that RBTs who pursue further education and become substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselors can benefit from a robust 17% employment growth over the same span. These professionals also see improved earning potential, with a median salary of about $59,190 in 2024.

The role of a Registered Behavior Technician is a meaningful starting point for those interested in the field of ABA.

Many RBTs go on to further their education and become BCBAs, taking on greater responsibility in designing and overseeing behavior support plans.

For those looking to take the next step, Regis College’s online Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program offers the knowledge and training needed to pursue clinical or supervisory roles in the field.

If you're ready to grow your impact and advance your career in ABA, explore how Regis College can help you get there.