Starting July 1, 2026, BACB changes what CE formats count. Not every provider is ready. Here's how to evaluate yours — and what to look for before you buy.
Effective July 1, 2026, the BACB requires CE activities to monitor participation. The handbook's example measure is at least 3 knowledge-check questions per 1.0 CEU, embedded in the learning content rather than only as a final quiz; the other listed measure is completing an activity that requires active responding.
This is a change in how participation has to be evidenced, not a rule about format. The BACB requires no video and does not use the word interactive: article-and-quiz, journal clubs and podcasts are all still valid when participation is monitored. What may fall short is an activity that requires no active responding at all. Verify your specific CE situation — including previously earned credits — directly with BACB.
The practical rule: Look for courses where questions appear throughout the course as you learn — not just a quiz at the very end. If a course is video-only or article-plus-end-quiz, ask the provider whether it qualifies under the July 2026 standard before purchasing.
At least 3 questions per 1.0 CEU built into the course — not just at the end.
Real-time participation with active engagement components counts under the new rules.
Reading an article and answering only a post-quiz at the end, with nothing during the reading that monitors participation, may not meet the participation monitoring standard. The format is not the problem: an article-and-quiz activity that monitors participation is still valid.
Watching a recording and answering questions only at the end doesn't meet the participation monitoring standard.
Important: The BACB maintains the list of authorized ACE providers and the approved format requirements. Always verify your provider's current ACE status and compliance on bacb.com before purchasing CE.
The most important factor is whether a provider's CE courses monitor participation, which the BACB now requires — its handbook's example measure is at least 3 distributed knowledge checks per 1.0 CEU, and the other listed measure is completing an activity that requires active responding. Use this comparison as a starting point — always confirm directly with any provider about their specific course formats before purchasing.
| Provider | ACE Status | Participation Monitoring | Ethics CEUs | Supervision CEUs | Full 32-CEU Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special LearningThis site | ✓ ACE Provider OP-14-2437 |
✓ Knowledge checks built throughout course content | ✓ 4 Ethics CEUs included | ✓ 3.5 Supervision CEUs included | ✓ 32.5-CEU Library — $199 |
| Relias Academy | ✓ ACE Provider | Contact Relias to confirm July 2026 compliance | Verify with provider | Verify with provider | Verify with provider |
| CEUniverse | ✓ ACE Provider | Contact CEUniverse to confirm July 2026 compliance | Verify with provider | Verify with provider | Verify with provider |
| ABA Resource Center | Check BACB directory | Confirm ACE status + July 2026 format on bacb.com | Verify with provider | Verify with provider | Verify with provider |
| Other ACE Providers | Verify at bacb.com | Ask: are knowledge checks embedded throughout the course? | Verify with provider | Verify with provider | Verify with provider |
Table last updated June 2026. For any provider other than Special Learning, verify compliance directly with the provider. The BACB ACE provider directory is the authoritative source for provider status.
Before purchasing CE from any provider, use this checklist to protect your recertification credits:
Special Learning answers yes to every question above. ACE Provider OP-14-2437. Knowledge checks built throughout every course. One $199 purchase carries 32.5 CEUs, including 4.0 ethics and 3.5 supervision.
Want more? Explore free and full training resources in the Special Learning library.