What is a BCBA vs. BCABA vs. RBT?
Perhaps your child is starting ABA therapy. You may be curious to know who will oversee your child’s case, who will work with your child, or what their credentials are. Each level of credentialing offers different skills and support for your child.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
The BCBA essentially creates, maintains, and updates all programs for the child.
Upon the start of services, the analyst will evaluate the child and right a report of findings.
From there, the analyst will create programs, or interventions to implement with the child based on that evaluation.
In the future, if the program, or intervention needs to be modified, the BCBA will have final say and change it in the child’s intervention plan.
The analyst typically does not work directly with the child on a daily basis, but will work one on one when necessary.
The BCBA will provide supervision for those directly working with the child such as BCABAs and RBTs.
A BCBA can have multiple clients on their caseload, but there should always be an analyst assigned to your child’s case.
Qualifications
Master’s level degree
Acquire all clinical hours
Pass the Board Certification Exam
through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCABA)
The BCABA, or assistant works under the supervision of a board certified analyst (BCBA).
They are not to practice independently. However, they are able to supervise the work of the registered behavior technician (behavior therapist) who will be working directly with the child.
Any changes to the child’s program, or intervention will still need final approval from a BCBA.
Qualifications
o Bachelor’s level degree
o Acquire all clinical hours
o Pass the Assistant Board Certification Exam through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
RBTs, also known as behavior therapists, work directly with the child on a daily basis.
They are overseen by a BCABA or BCBA to ensure fidelity in services.
The RBT will follow all protocols for each program, or designed intervention.
Qualifications
o High school diploma
o 40 hours of training
o Pass the Registered Behavior Technician Exam through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
You can find more information about qualifications at any level on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. You can also find a Behavior Analyst Certification Board Certificant here.
If you have any other questions about a level of certification, or other positions in the field you are unsure of please feel free to contact nikki@collaborativecorner.org.
Nikki Waitt, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician and Varied Exceptionalities Teacher
nikki@collaborativecorner.org