4 Ethics CEUs per 2-year cycle. Here's exactly what counts, what changed in July 2026, and where to earn them.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Number of Ethics CEUs | 4 CEUs per 2-year renewal cycle |
| Part of your 32-CEU total | Yes — 4 of your 32 total, not additional |
| Content requirement | Must address the BACB's ethics requirements or cultural and contextual responsiveness, and relate to behavior-analytic practice |
| Participation monitoring (effective July 1, 2026) | Applies to all ACE events, not only Ethics. The handbook's example measure is at least 3 knowledge-check questions per CEU (or another form of required active responding). |
| Most common source | BACB ACE Provider |
32 CEUs total − 4 Ethics = 28 unrestricted CEUs remaining. Plus: BCBAs who supervised RBTs, BCaBAs or trainees during the cycle also need 3 Supervision CEUs under the current BACB handbook; the BACB's 2027 requirements raise it to 4 and do not say which cycles that covers (these also count as part of the 32, not additional).
Ethics CE for BCBA renewal must specifically address ethical practice in behavior analysis. It can also cover cultural and contextual responsiveness (BACB 2027 BCBA Requirements, 02/2026). A course with "ethics" in the title isn't automatically valid: the content must cover behavior-analytic ethical practice as defined by the BACB Ethics Code, or cultural and contextual responsiveness.
The most common source is a BACB ACE (Authorized Continuing Education) Provider. The BCBA Handbook also recognizes behavior-analytic graduate courses and BACB certification activities as valid paths to Ethics CEUs — earning through an ACE Provider is not the only option, though it is by far the most accessible.
As of July 1, 2026, self-paced (asynchronous) ACE events, Ethics included, must include participation monitoring. This is not an Ethics rule: the ACE Provider Handbook gives at least 3 knowledge-check questions per CEU as one example measure, for all events. For the full explanation of this requirement, see: Active Responding CE: The BACB July 2026 Participation-Monitoring Standard.
Are Ethics CEUs separate from the 32 total?
No. Your 4 Ethics CEUs count toward the 32. After completing 4 Ethics CEUs, you need 28 more — in any approved content area — to reach the 32 total.
When during the cycle do I need to complete Ethics CEUs?
The BACB does not require Ethics CEUs to be completed in a specific sequence within your 2-year cycle. Most BCBAs complete them early to give themselves flexibility for the remaining hours.
Can I take more than 4 Ethics CEUs?
Yes. Additional Ethics CEUs beyond the required 4 count as unrestricted CEUs toward your 32-CEU total.
Do Ethics courses need embedded knowledge checks?
Participation monitoring applies to all ACE events, not only Ethics. Effective July 1, 2026, self-paced (asynchronous) BACB-eligible CE must include participation monitoring. The handbook gives at least 3 knowledge-check questions per 1.0 CEU (or another form of required active responding) as one example measure.
The Special Learning CE Library carries BACB CEUs, including 3.5 Supervision, for $199 for 12 months. All courses include knowledge checks embedded throughout — see the BCBA Recertification Guide for the full cycle planning picture, or the active responding CE explainer for format detail.
BACB CEUs, including 3.5 Supervision. Knowledge checks integrated throughout every course. $199 for 12 months.
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