As of January 1, 2026, every Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) must earn 12 Professional Development Units (PDUs) per two-year recertification cycle. It is the first recurring professional-development requirement for the RBT credential. The cycle is tied to your renewal anniversary, not the calendar year, so for RBTs who recertify in 2026, the first 12-PDU deadline is January 2028. Nothing is due in 2027.
Not every activity counts. This page explains exactly what qualifies as a PDU, what does not, and how to keep your documentation audit-ready.
- RBTs earn PDUs; BCBAs and BCaBAs earn CEUs. They are not interchangeable. A course designated as CE for behavior analysts is not a PDU source for RBTs.
- PDU content must align to the RBT 3rd-Edition Test Content Outline (TCO) (the BACB's current outline, in effect since January 1, 2026) or to the BACB Ethics Code.
- PDU content cannot duplicate the competencies of your initial RBT training. PDUs are meant to extend your skills, not repeat onboarding.
The three ways RBTs earn PDUs
The BACB recognizes three pathways. ACE courses are one of them, not the only one.
1. ACE events
Courses delivered by a BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider. Special Learning is a BACB Authorized ACE Provider (OP-14-2437). ACE providers issue standardized completion documentation, so this is the most straightforward path to track.
2. In-service training by a qualified instructor
Structured training delivered by a qualified BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D, for example, a formal professional-development session run by your supervising behavior analyst at your agency. The agency does not need ACE-provider status, but the session must have defined learning objectives, content tied to the TCO or Ethics Code, and a record of completion.
3. University coursework
Qualifying coursework at an accredited institution, taught by faculty with appropriate credentials.
What the July 1, 2026 rule actually changes
You may have seen claims that "article-plus-quiz formats are banned" or "only interactive video will count" after July 2026. That is not what the rule says.
Per the BACB, the event format may vary: live and online, synchronous and asynchronous events are all permitted, as long as the Handbook's requirements (including participation monitoring) are met. Article-based, journal-club, podcast, and video formats all remain valid when they carry the required knowledge questions. There is no "your PDUs won't count" cutoff and no video-only mandate. The practical takeaway for RBTs: choose courses from a provider whose courses already include knowledge checks: a quality signal, not a deadline.
What counts
| Activity | Counts? | What makes it qualify |
|---|---|---|
| ACE-provider courses with knowledge checks | Yes | Delivered by a BACB Authorized ACE Provider; content tied to the TCO or Ethics Code. |
| Live workshops & conference sessions | Yes | Qualifying instructor and relevant content; keep the documentation the organizer provides. |
| Live webinars with participation | Yes | Includes participation verification (polls, Q&A, knowledge checks). |
| Structured in-service led by a BCaBA / BCBA / BCBA-D | Yes | Defined objectives, TCO/ethics content, and a signed completion record. |
| University coursework | Yes | Accredited institution, qualifying faculty, relevant content. |
| Self-study, article-based, journal-club & podcast formats | Yes | Valid when the course carries the required knowledge questions (participation monitoring). |
What does not count
| Activity | Counts? | Why not |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised fieldwork / direct-service hours | No | Supervised hours and ongoing supervision are tracked separately. Supervision is its own continuing requirement, not a PDU source. |
| Content that repeats your initial RBT training | No | PDU content cannot duplicate the competencies covered in your initial RBT training. |
| BCBA/BCaBA CE courses | No | CE and PD are mutually exclusive under BACB rules. A course designated as CE for behavior analysts is not a PDU source for RBTs, even if the content is identical. |
| Casual reading or informal team chats | No | No structured content, no assessment, no documentation. A regular staff meeting is not a PDU. |
| Topics unrelated to the TCO or Ethics Code | No | Generic workplace topics (e.g., time management) do not qualify unless explicitly tied to the RBT Test Content Outline or the BACB Ethics Code. |
How to document your PDUs
The BACB may audit your records, so document every activity as you complete it; do not rely on memory. For each PDU activity, keep:
- Date of the activity
- Title and topic
- Instructor name and credential (for the in-service and university pathways)
- Instructional time earned
- The TCO domain or Ethics Code area the content covered
- A completion certificate or signed record from the provider, supervisor, or institution
Common questions
How many PDUs do I need, and by when?
12 PDUs per 2-year cycle, effective as of January 1, 2026, tied to your renewal anniversary. For RBTs who recertify in 2026, the first 12-PDU deadline is January 2028. Nothing is due in 2027.
Did the BACB ban article-plus-quiz or self-study in July 2026?
No. Effective July 1, 2026, asynchronous courses must include participation monitoring: at least 3 knowledge-assessment questions per credit. Format may vary (live or online, synchronous or asynchronous); article-based, journal-club, podcast, and video formats all remain valid when they carry the required questions. It is a provider course-construction rule, not a format ban.
Do my supervised fieldwork hours count as PDUs?
No. Supervised hours and ongoing supervision are tracked separately and are not a PDU source.
Can a BCBA CE course count toward my RBT PDUs?
No. CE (for BCBAs/BCaBAs) and PD (for RBTs) are mutually exclusive under BACB rules, even when the content is identical. RBTs earn PDUs; BCBAs and BCaBAs earn CEUs.
Does an in-service session at my agency count?
It can, if it is led by a qualified BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D, has defined learning objectives tied to the TCO or Ethics Code, and produces a signed completion record. A casual team discussion does not qualify.
Stay ahead of the 12-PDU cycle.
Special Learning is a BACB Authorized ACE Provider (OP-14-2437) building a dedicated RBT Professional Development resource. Join the RBT PDU interest list and we'll keep you posted on the requirements, deadlines, and new resources as they launch.
Keep me postedContinuing education and certification requirements are determined solely by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Confirm your own current requirements at bacb.com.