Important change effective July 1, 2026: BACB requires self-paced (asynchronous) ACE events to monitor participation. Its handbook gives at least 3 knowledge-assessment questions per CEU as one example; other activities requiring active responses are also permitted. This is a course-design requirement on ACE providers, not a requirement that you switch to live/interactive formats. Self-paced CE still fully counts, and you can still complete your entire cycle self-paced. See the section below.
Your Recertification at a Glance
BCBAs and BCaBAs both recertify every two years, but their CEU totals differ. Check your own credential and recertification date below.
BCBA Recertification Requirements
32
Total CEUs per 2-year cycle
The handbook permits eligible Learning, Teaching and Scholarship activities. For ACE learning events, verify the provider in the BACB registry.
4
Ethics CEUs — required
Qualifying content addresses BACB ethics requirements and/or cultural/contextual responsiveness; most of the event must focus on that content.
3
Supervision CEUs under the current BCBA Handbook; 4 for BCBAs recertifying on or after January 1, 2027
Applies to BCBAs who supervised RBTs or BCaBAs on record, or trainees pursuing BCBA or BCaBA certification, at any point during their recertification cycle. Check your recertification date, not just when the cycle began.
0
CEUs for repeating an activity
Repeating the same CE activity does not provide new or expanded knowledge and does not earn new CEUs. Keep documentation of each qualifying activity.
BCaBA Recertification Requirements
20
Total CEUs per 2-year cycle
3
Supervision CEUs (if applicable)
For BCaBAs who supervised RBTs on record during their recertification cycle. This BCaBA minimum is separate from the BCBA change to 4 supervision CEUs.
Your Recertification Checklist
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Know your certification expiration date
Confirm the recertification date in your BACB portal. Complete and enter eligible CEUs earned within this cycle before that date; excess credits cannot carry into the next cycle.
-
Track your CEU total toward 32 (BCBA) or 20 (BCaBA)
required
You are responsible for entering each qualifying activity and uploading its supporting documentation into your BACB account. Do not assume your ACE provider uploads credits for you.
-
Complete at least 4 qualifying Ethics CEUs
required
Qualifying Ethics content relates to BACB ethics requirements and/or cultural/contextual responsiveness in behavior-analytic practice or applied research. Most of the event must focus on that content; a passing reference to an ethics code is insufficient.
-
Check the supervision CEU minimum for your credential and recertification date
if applicable
For BCBA supervisors, the current handbook states 3 supervision CEUs; the revised requirements apply 4 to BCBAs recertifying on or after January 1, 2027. BCaBA supervisors retain their separate 3-CEU minimum. The BACB handbooks define the supervision that triggers each requirement.
-
Verify each activity meets the handbook criteria and has the required documentation
required
The handbook lists eligible Learning, Teaching and Scholarship activities, including qualifying graduate courses and journal work. Check the specific activity and evidence required. For ACE events, verify the provider; watching an arbitrary video or reading alone does not establish CE eligibility.
-
Confirm your self-paced CE comes from an ACE provider whose courses include participation monitoring
new 2026
ACE providers must monitor presence and participation. For asynchronous events, the handbook lists knowledge questions or other activities requiring active responses. Complete the participation activities required for your event.
-
Complete your recertification application and payment by your recertification date
required
The application becomes available within 45 days of your recertification date, once sufficient CEUs are entered. Plan to submit early enough to resolve errors; two weeks early is not a separate BACB deadline.
-
Confirm payment of the recertification fee
Current recertification fees are posted on the BACB website. Verify the current amount when you submit your application.
July 1, 2026 Participation-Monitoring Change — What You Need to Know
Effective July 1, 2026, BACB requires self-paced (asynchronous) CE to include participation monitoring — measures that confirm presence and participation. At least 3 knowledge-assessment questions per CEU are one listed example; other activities requiring active responses are also allowed. This is a course-design requirement on ACE providers. It is not a rule that you switch to live or interactive formats, and it does not change how many CEUs you need.
Action: You can still complete your full 32-CEU cycle through self-paced, asynchronous courses. Just confirm the courses come from an ACE provider whose self-paced content includes suitable participation monitoring, and complete the required activities.
Finding a BACB ACE Provider
The only way to verify a BACB ACE provider is through the BACB's official ACE Provider registry at bacb.com. No organization can self-certify as an ACE provider — the authorization must appear in the registry under the provider's current ACE number.
When reviewing a provider, confirm:
- Their ACE Provider number is listed in the current BACB registry
- Their approval has not lapsed (renewal is required periodically)
- The specific course you want counts toward your credential type (BCBA vs BCaBA requirements differ for some content)
Recertification Timeline Guide
These are planning suggestions, not additional BACB deadlines. Your own recertification date and the application window control. Complete and enter CEUs before your date, and submit the application and payment by it.
12+ months before expiration Identify eligible ethics and supervision activities and their documentation. Plan around your recertification date and any change in the supervision minimum.
6 months before expiration Check your CEU count in your BACB portal account. Confirm at least 4 ethics CEUs are logged or planned. Confirm your self-paced CEUs come from an ACE provider whose courses include the July 1 participation-monitoring checks.
90 days before expiration Review your own CEU entries and supporting documents. Request any missing certificates from the provider; you, not the provider, enter your CEUs into the BACB account.
30 days before expiration Submit your recertification application in your BACB portal account. Confirm payment. Allow time for processing.
14 days before expiration Confirm your application status. If not yet processed, contact BACB directly.
Common Mistakes That Delay Recertification
-
Using a CE provider that is no longer on the current BACB ACE registry (providers must renew their approval — check the current list every time)
-
Assuming all video-based CEUs are automatically approved — content must be from a current BACB ACE Provider
-
Counting a repeated CE activity as new credit or applying credits earned outside your current recertification cycle
-
Waiting for an ACE provider to upload your CEUs instead of entering each activity and its supporting documentation yourself
-
Using self-paced CE that lacks participation monitoring under the new July 1, 2026 rule — confirm the provider monitors participation and complete the activities required for your event
References
The March 2022 announcement supplies the BCBA recertification implementation date. It warns that some details are outdated; use the updated 2027 document for current totals, not the old separate DEI category.
- BCBA Handbook, updated June 2026: pages 43–45 and 49 — cycle totals, activity types, content and recertification.
- Updated 2027 BCBA requirements, page 4 — 32 total and 4 Ethics; 4 supervision CEUs for BCBAs who supervised during the cycle and recertify on or after January 1, 2027 (current handbook: 3 supervision CEUs).
- March 2022 announcement, page 5 — BCBAs recertifying on or after January 1, 2027.
- BCaBA Handbook, updated June 2026: pages 40–42 and 51 — separate BCaBA rules.
- ACE Provider Handbook, effective July 1, 2026: pages 7–10 — participation measures and participant documentation.
- BACB ACE provider information and verification registry — verify an ACE provider.
About this checklist
Special Learning is a BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider (OP-14-2437). Authorization as an ACE Provider does not imply endorsement or approval of the ACE event content by the BACB. Special Learning is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or officially connected with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). For the most current and authoritative recertification requirements, always refer directly to bacb.com. Sources checked October 20, 2026; verify the current requirements for your credential and recertification date. This is general planning information, not confirmation that your individual credits or recertification application qualify.
