Certified Behavioral Technician(CBT®)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

APPLYING TO BECOME A CBT STEPS

Eligibility Requirements for Certified Behavior Technician (CBT)

To become a Certified Behavior Technician (CBT), candidates must meet specific educational, training, and professional requirements to ensure they are prepared to deliver high-quality behavior-analytic services. Below are the detailed eligibility criteria:

1. Educational Requirements

Minimum Education Level:
- A high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) is required to enroll in the CBT program.
- For individuals aiming to progress to leadership roles or advanced certifications, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, or a related field is preferred.

2. Age Requirement

Minimum Age:
- Candidates must be at least 18 years old to participate in the program and apply for certification.

3. Training Requirements

Completion of 40-Hour Training Program:
- Candidates must successfully complete the 40-hour CBT training program, which is aligned with the American Autism Council (AAC) task list.
- Training must meet the following conditions:
  - A cumulative duration of at least 40 hours.
  - Must be completed within a 180-day period and no less than a 5-day period.
  - Training must be delivered by a certified American Autism Council Education Provider (AACEP).

4. Supervision Requirements

Supervised Training Component:
- Candidates are required to complete practical, supervised training during or immediately after their 40-hour coursework.
- Supervision must be conducted by a Certified Behavior Analyst Supervisor (CBA-S) or a Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBA-A).

5. Ethical Conduct

Adherence to Ethical Standards:
- Candidates must agree to comply with the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts established by the AAC.
- They must maintain professional conduct throughout training and practice, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients.

6. Language Proficiency

Effective Communication Skills:
- Candidates must demonstrate basic proficiency in the language used for instruction and service delivery to ensure clear communication with clients, supervisors, and team members.

7. Technological Skills

Ability to Use Data Collection Tools:
- Candidates should have basic computer literacy to manage data collection systems and record-keeping tools, as required in behavior-analytic practices.

8. Health and Background Clearance

Background Check:
- Some programs may require a criminal background check to ensure candidates meet professional and legal standards for working with vulnerable populations.
Health Clearance:
- Candidates may need to provide proof of physical and mental fitness to perform the responsibilities of a CBT effectively.

9. Commitment to Continuing Education

Professional Development:
- Candidates must commit to ongoing learning and skill enhancement through continuing education opportunities to maintain their certification.

APPLYING TO BECOME A CBT STEPS

Create a AAC Account

You will need to enter some basic information about yourself to create a AAC account

Complete the Certification Application

If you meet all the eligibility requirements, complete CBT application

Upload the required documents:

certificate of completion for the CBT 40-hour training
completed CBT Initial Competency Assessment
ccopy of a transcript or diploma verifying your completion of a high school degree or equivalent

Identify an 40 hours CBT course provider; Certified Behavior Analysis Supervisor (CBA-S) or Certified Behavior Analysis Assistant (CBA-A)
Complete CBT 40 Hour Training

CBA-s or CBA-A will complete their portion of your application in their AAC account, which includes:

confirmation that you are at least 18 years old
Confirmation that you completed and passed your criminal background check
Confirmation that you completed CBT 40 Hours training

If your application is:

Approved: You will receive instructions via email for scheduling your CBT certification examination.
Not approved: You will receive feedback and guidance on next steps via email. If you do not meet the requirements within 90 days of submitting your application, you must submit a new CBT certification application, including paying another certification application processing fee.

CBT 40 Hour Training Packet

Welcome to the CBT 40-Hour Training Program

This training packet has been designed to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to become a Certified Behavior Technician (CBT). By completing this program, you will be prepared to assist in delivering direct behavior-analytic services, implementing behavior intervention plans, and collecting data under the supervision of Certified Behavior Analyst Supervisors (CBA-S) or Certified Behavior Analyst Assistants (CBA-A).

Program Overview

Program Duration: 40 hours (to be completed within a 180-day period, no less than 5 days).
Program Goal: Equip trainees with foundational and advanced skills in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to provide high-quality services.
Program Structure:
- Core Areas: Fundamentals of ABA, Data Collection, Intervention Implementation, and Advanced Leadership Skills.
- Delivery Format: A combination of lectures, interactive activities, practical exercises, and assessments.

Eligibility Requirements

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred but not mandatory.
Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate effectively in the language of instruction.
Commitment: Willingness to comply with the ethical standards set by the American Autism Council (AAC).

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will:

Understand the principles and ethical foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Develop skills to collect and interpret behavioral data.
Implement evidence-based interventions effectively.
Demonstrate basic leadership and communication skills to support teams and clients.

Course Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of ABA

Introduction to Behavior Analysis: Overview and significance.
Core Principles: Reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and generalization.
Ethical Standards: Compliance with the AAC’s Professional and Ethical Code.

Module 2: Data Collection and Reporting

Types of Behavioral Data: Frequency, duration, latency, and intensity.
Data Collection Methods: Hands-on practice with real-world examples.
Data Interpretation: Using data to inform intervention plans.

Module 3: Behavior Intervention Plans

Overview of Behavior Plans: Components and goals.
Techniques for Skill Development: Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Teaching (NET).
Addressing Challenging Behaviors: Evidence-based strategies.

Module 4: Advanced Leadership Skills

Leadership in ABA: Supervising team members and assisting with interventions.
Effective Communication: Collaborating with supervisors, clients, and families.
Supporting Implementation: Ensuring fidelity to intervention plans.

Training Requirements

Attendance: Participants must complete all 40 hours of training.
Participation: Active engagement in activities, discussions, and assignments.
Assessment: Pass all quizzes and practical evaluations with a minimum score of 80%.
Supervision: Practical training must be supervised by a Certified American Autism Council Education Provider (AACEP).

Assessment Structure

Quizzes: Multiple-choice and short-answer questions on ABA concepts.
Practical Assignments: Hands-on activities focused on data collection and intervention implementation.
Final Exam: Comprehensive evaluation covering all modules.

Training Schedule

DayTopicDurationDay 1Fundamentals of ABA8 hoursDay 2Data Collection and Reporting8 hoursDay 3Behavior Intervention Plans8 hoursDay 4Advanced Leadership Skills8 hoursDay 5Practical Applications and Final Assessment8 hours

Certification Process

To become a Certified Behavior Technician (CBT), participants must:

Successfully complete the 40-hour training program.
Pass the final exam and practical evaluations.
Submit proof of supervised fieldwork hours under an AACEP.
Apply for certification through the American Autism Council.

Additional Resources

Participants will have access to supplementary materials, including:

ABA glossary and key terms.
Example behavior intervention plans.
Data collection templates.
Ethical guidelines and compliance codes.