Top BCBA Interview Questions and How to Prepare
- Ashleigh Evans (BCBA)
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Whether you're a seasoned board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) or searching for your first position, interviews can be intimidating. Employers are looking to evaluate not just your clinical knowledge, but also your ability to communicate, problem-solve, and collaborate. This article highlights common questions you may encounter and offers guidance on how to approach them confidently.
Background Information & Experience
Interviewers often start with foundational questions to learn more about your experiences in the field. While your resume provides a snapshot of your background, this is your opportunity to bring it to life by expanding on your clinical experience, areas of expertise, and professional growth.
You may be asked questions such as:
“Can you tell me about your experience in ABA?”
“What populations have you worked with?”
“What settings have you provided services in (e.g., home, clinic, school)?”
“What are your strengths as a BCBA?”
“What areas are you continuing to grow in professionally?”
How to approach these questions:
Provide a clear and concise overview of your experience while highlighting what makes you unique as a clinician. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate self-awareness. Employers value BCBAs who understand both their strengths and areas for growth, and it helps them identify mentorship needs.
Clinical Knowledge, Treatment Planning, and Application
Employers will assess your understanding of ABA principles and how you apply them in practice. These questions help determine your clinical competence, decision-making skills, and ability to deliver effective, quality care.
You may be asked questions such as:
“How do you develop individualized treatment plans?”
“How do you prioritize goals?”
“How do you assess and address challenging behavior?”
“Do you have experience working with payors? Which ones?”
“How do you justify medical necessity?”
“Do you follow assent-based care?”
“Can you share about a case that challenged you and how you addressed it?”
How to approach these questions:
Demonstrate a strong understanding of ABA principles and treatment planning. Highlight how you approach care as a clinician that would make you an asset to the practice.
Supervision and Leadership
Most BCBAs are responsible for supervising RBTs and sometimes other staff (e.g., trainees, BCaBAs, midlevel supervisors). Employers want to ensure you can lead effectively and support your team.
You may be asked questions such as:
“What's your approach to training and supervising RBTs?”
“How do you provide feedback to staff?”
“How do you manage poor performance?”
“How do you ensure treatment fidelity?”
“Describe a time you handled conflict within a team.”
“Do you have experience providing supervised fieldwork? Describe how you approach this with trainees.”
How to approach these questions:
Focus on your communication style, ability to provide constructive feedback, and commitment to staff development. Strong supervisors create supportive environments while maintaining high clinical standards.
Ethics and Professional Judgment
Ethical decision-making is a critical component of being a BCBA. Interviewers may present hypothetical scenarios to assess how you handle complex situations.
You may be asked questions such as:
“Describe a time you encountered an ethical dilemma and how you managed it.”
“What would you do if a caregiver requested a non-evidence-based strategy?”
“What would you do if you weren't able to meet the 5% supervision requirement for an RBT in any given month?”
“What would you do if you suspected another provider was acting unethically?”
“How do you prioritize client dignity when developing interventions?”
How to approach these questions:
Show that you prioritize client welfare and adhere to ethical standards. Reference your commitment to ongoing learning and consultation when needed. Employers want to see that you can navigate difficult situations with professionalism and integrity, while also recognizing the nuance that ethical dilemmas often involve.
Collaboration and Communication
BCBAs frequently collaborate with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals. Strong communication skills are essential in this role.
You may be asked questions such as:
“How do you communicate with caregivers about progress or concerns?”
“How do you approach caregiver training?”
“How do you collaborate with multidisciplinary providers?”
“How do you handle disagreements?”
“Have you ever worked with a parent who had disagreements about your approach to treatment? What did you do to navigate the situation?”
How to approach these questions:
Highlight your ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and build strong relationships. Emphasize collaboration and respect for different perspectives while maintaining a focus on client outcomes.
Tools and Technology
Interviewers may want to understand your familiarity with various tools and how you use them in practice.
You may be asked questions such as:
“What assessment tools do you have experience using?”
“What data collection systems or practice management software are you experienced with?”
“How do you use technology to make your job easier?”
“Do you use AI in your work? If so, how?”
How to approach these questions:
Answer honestly, highlighting your experience. If your experience is limited in certain areas, demonstrate openness to learning new tools and adapting to different systems.
BCBA Interviews are a Two-Way Street
Don't forget, BCBA interviews shouldn't be one-sided. As important as it is for the employer to evaluate whether you're a good fit for their company, it's equally as important for you to ensure they're aligned with your needs.
You may want to ask questions during your interview, such as:
“What does a typical caseload size look like?”
“Is there a billing requirement?”
“What supports are available to help with non-billable/administrative work?”
“Can you describe the company culture and how the team collaborates?”
“What are the organization's values?"
“Does the organization emphasize assent?"
Related: What BCBAs are Looking for in a Job
Searching for your next BCBA position?
Check out the ABA Job Board, your one stop destination for open roles across the US!
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