4 Ethics CEUs per 2-year cycle. Here's exactly what counts, what changed in July 2026, and the easiest way to meet the requirement.
| 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 ethical practice in behavior analysis |
| Participation monitoring (effective July 1, 2026) | Embedded knowledge checks throughout — ≥3 questions per 1.0 CEU |
| Most common source | BACB ACE Provider (other paths exist per BCBA Handbook §4.1d) |
32 CEUs total − 4 Ethics = 28 unrestricted CEUs remaining. Plus: BCBAs who supervised during the cycle also need 3 Supervision CEUs (these also count as part of the 32, not additional).
Ethics CE for BCBA renewal must specifically address ethical practice in behavior analysis. 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.
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, all self-paced (asynchronous) CEUs — including Ethics — must come from courses that include embedded knowledge checks integrated throughout the course. Courses relying on a final quiz or passive completion mechanism after that date do not meet the standard. 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?
Yes. Effective July 1, 2026, all self-paced (asynchronous) BACB-eligible CE — including Ethics — must include at least 3 embedded knowledge-check questions per 1.0 CEU, with responses tracked per learner.
The Special Learning CE Library includes 4 Ethics CEUs as part of the 32-CEU subscription. 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.
32 CEUs. 4 Ethics. Knowledge checks integrated throughout every course. $199/year — $6.22/CEU.
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