Passing the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Exam
- Ashleigh Evans (BCBA)
- Oct 20
- 7 min read
Getting ready for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam can feel pretty overwhelming. You may have heard that the exam has a notoriously low pass rate, but don't let that deter you. With the right approach, you can tackle the RBT test content outline (TCO) confidently and position yourself to pass the exam.
The RBT exam is a key step toward launching your career in behavioral health, where you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical tips, study strategies, and insights to help you succeed.
What is the RBT Exam?
The RBT exam is the final step in the certification process for a Registered Behavior Technician. The exam is created by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and taken at a Pearson Vue testing center.
Note: Before you can take the exam and earn your RBT credential, you must have completed a 40-hour RBT training course, a background check, and a competency assessment.
What You Need to Know About the RBT Exam
Before we dive into how to prepare, here are a few things you should know about the RBT exam.
The RBT exam has 85 total questions. Ten of these are pilot questions that aren't factored when scoring.
Each question is multiple-choice with four potential answers and only one correct answer.
Test takers have 90 total minutes to complete the exam. Given the time constraints, fluency of the concepts is important!
The exam questions are currently based on the 2nd Edition Task List. However, in 2026, it will switch to the 3rd Edition Test Content Outline.
It costs $50 to apply for the exam through the BACB, plus a $45 fee paid to Pearson Vue when scheduling an exam appointment.
NOTE: The application fee will increase to $65 in 2026.
You need 200 out of 250 points to pass.
You'll find out right away if you passed or not. If you don't pass, you'll receive a printout showing your score. You only get a score if you fail. If you pass, it will only say "Pass."
Once you're approved to sit for the exam, you'll have eight total attempts within the following 12 months to pass.
In 2024, 73% of test-takers passed on their first attempt. In subsequent attempts, only 36% passed.
Effective RBT Exam Preparation Tips
Knowing that pass rates for second-time test takers decline substantially, it's strongly encouraged that candidates take their time in preparing before sitting for the RBT certification exam. Success starts with a solid preparation plan. Here are some tips to help you get ready:
Understand the Task List/Test Content Outline: The BACB provides a detailed RBT Task List that outlines the skills and knowledge areas tested. Familiarize yourself with each task and the associated concepts.
Create a Study Schedule: Break down your study plan into manageable chunks. Allocate specific times each day or week to review different topics. For example, focus on Task List Section A for a couple of days, then move on to Section B. Consistency is key.
Use Multiple Study Resources: Don’t rely on just one resource. Some people focus only on completing practice exams and fail to actually master the concepts in isolation. Utilize multiple resources, such as study guides, flashcards, mock exams, and videos.
Practice with Real Scenarios: Apply concepts to real-life situations. This will deepen your understanding and prepare you for situational questions.
Join Study Groups: Collaborating with peers can provide motivation, clarify doubts, and expose you to different perspectives.
Consider a Tutor: If you're really struggling to understand the materials after the 40-hour training, consider seeking a tutor to help you make sense of the applied behavior analysis content.
Understanding the Exam Content and Format
The RBT exam covers a range of topics related to behavior analysis. Knowing what to expect is essential so that you can focus your efforts effectively.
The 2nd Edition RBT Task List includes the following domains.
Measurement: Data collection methods, continuous and discontinuous measurement, and data display.
Assessment: Preference assessments, functional behavior assessments, and skill assessments.
Skill Acquisition: Prompting, contingencies of reinforcement, shaping, generalization, and other teaching procedures.
Behavior Reduction: Understanding behavior intervention plans (BIPs), antecedent modifications, differential reinforcement, extinction, and crisis procedures.
Documentation and Reporting: Accurately documenting sessions, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and reporting guidelines.
Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice: Understanding ethical guidelines and your role as an RBT, including maintaining professional boundaries, as well as professional communication with your board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) supervisor, clients, and families.
The 3rd Edition RBT Test Content Outline, which goes into effect January 1st, 2026, includes the following domains.
Data Collection and Graphing: Describing behavior, discontinuous and continuous measurement procedures, and identifying trends in graphed data.
Behavior Assessment: Preference assessments, skill-based assessments (e.g., VB-MAPP, MOTAS), and functional assessment procedures.
Behavior Acquisition: Prompting, contingencies of reinforcement, shaping, generalization, and other teaching procedures.
Behavior Reduction: Understanding behavior intervention plans (BIPs), antecedent modifications, differential reinforcement, extinction, and crisis procedures.
Documentation and Reporting: Accurately documenting sessions, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and reporting guidelines.
Ethics: Understanding the RBT Ethics Code 2.0.
How to Make Sense of RBT Exam Questions
The questions on the exam are designed to evaluate your understanding of the RBT Task List and your ability to apply behavior analytic principles in everyday situations.
Here are some tips to manage the exam questions:
Read each question carefully: Avoid rushing, which can result in misinterpreting what the question is asking. Take your time in reviewing the question and all potential answers before selecting the best possible answer.
Eliminate wrong answers: Follow the process of elimination to narrow down choices that are clearly incorrect. For most questions, you can quickly eliminate two options, making it easier to solve the question.
Pace yourself: It's a timed test with 90 minutes, leaving you with about one minute per question. Establish a steady pace (this will be important to practice when preparing for the exam). If you get stuck on a question, don't let it slow you down. You can flag it and go on to the next question. Once you reach the end, you can revisit any questions you missed.
Take educated guesses: Never leave a question blank. If you're unsure, break the question down and take an educated guess.
Practical Study Techniques for Retention & Fluency
Memorizing facts is not enough. You'll need to retain and apply what you know quickly. This is why it's so important to focus not only on the retention of knowledge but also on fluency, or the ability to recall knowledge quickly.
Here are some study techniques proven to enhance retention and fluency:
Use SAFMEDS
Test yourself on RBT concepts using SAFMEDS, which stands for Say All Fast A Minute Everyday Shuffle. These are similar to flashcards, but they follow a specific process, which includes:
Create (or print) flashcards that have the concept on one side and the definition on the other.
Set a timer for one minute.
Go through a deck of flashcards as quickly as possible. Read the concept and then say the definition out loud (and/or vice versa—read the definition, then say the concept).
Make two piles: one for correct flashcards and one for incorrect ones.
Track data on the number of correct versus incorrect. You can even practice graphing your own data, further solidifying study efforts.
Shuffle the deck of flashcards & do it again.
Plan to practice with SAFMEDS multiple times each day. These have been proven to improve one's ability to quickly retrieve information, making it more likely you'll not only get the answers correct but also finish within the time limits.
Mnemonics and Acronyms
Create memory aids for complex concepts or lists. For example, the acronym SEAT is one way people remember the functions of behavior:
S: Sensory (AKA automatic reinforcement)
E: Escape
A: Attention
T: Tangibles
Teach Others
Explaining topics to others can help solidify your understanding of them. See if any of your friends, family members, coworkers, or a supervisor would be willing to listen as you describe concepts and principles of ABA.
Staying Motivated and Managing Stress
Preparing for the exam can be stressful, but maintaining motivation and managing anxiety are crucial for success. As you work through your study preparations, take time to reflect on your journey. Reinforce your study efforts and celebrate small milestones. Be sure to practice self-care as well. While the exam is important, it won't define you as a person. Remember, persistence and a positive mindset are just as important as your ABA knowledge.
Final Steps Before Exam Day
As the exam day approaches, focus on final preparations:
Review key concepts and your notes.
Take a few full-length practice exams under timed conditions.
Organize all necessary materials (ID, confirmation email, testing center address).
Arrive early to the testing location to avoid last-minute stress.
Get Started on Your RBT Journey
While you should spend time preparing for your RBT exam, it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. If you're looking for expertly crafted RBT resources, explore the ABA Resource Center's library of RBT study prep materials.
RBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the eligibility requirements for RBT certification?
RBT requirements include:
Be 18 years or older
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Pass a background and abuse registry check
Complete a 40-hour training
Pass the RBT Competency Assessment
Pass the RBT examination
Where can you take the RBT test?
Candidates take the exam at a Pearson Vue location. You can search for testing centers near you here.
Where can you find an RBT training program?
There are dozens of RBT trainings available, many of which are online. Take a look at this article, which highlights the best 40-hour courses. It's strongly encouraged to take a course with a high pass rate.
How many questions are on the RBT examination?
85 questions in total, 75 of which are scored.
What score do you need to pass the RBT exam?
How long should I study before taking the exam?
How long should I study before taking the exam?
Most candidates study for 1-4 weeks.
How should I study for the RBT exam?
Use a mix of study guides, SAFMEDS, and mock exams. Both understanding and fluency are necessary!
Is the RBT exam hard?
Everyone has a different definition of hard. The exam can be challenging, as reflected in the pass rates. However, it's definitely possible to pass on your first try with proper preparations.
How can you prepare for the initial RBT competency assessment?
Studying for the initial competency assessment is equally as important as studying for the exam. Learn how to pass the competency assessment here.
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