Does on-demand CE still count after the BACB's July 2026 change?
Yes, as long as the course monitors your participation. On-demand CE isn't banned. The change is about how a provider checks that you were there and engaged for the whole event.
What changed on July 1, 2026
The BACB's ACE Provider Handbook (version 05/2026, effective July 1, 2026) asks every ACE Coordinator to make sure participants are present and participating for the entire event.
For on-demand courses, the handbook lists ways to do that, "including but not limited to":
- answering questions designed to evaluate knowledge from the event, at least 3 per CEU
- completing other activities that require active responding
What doesn't count on its own
The handbook names a few things that aren't enough by themselves: code words, time logged in as the only measure, and a written statement that you attended.
A stand-alone "read an article, then take a quiz" event is also a named nonexample. Reading inside a monitored online module still works, and so do journal clubs and podcasts, as long as participation is monitored.
What it doesn't mean
There's no rule that CE has to be video, and no rule that it has to be "interactive". Apart from the stand-alone article-and-quiz above, the format is the provider's choice, as long as participation is monitored the way the handbook describes.
Who checks
The BACB doesn't approve individual courses. Each ACE provider is responsible for meeting the handbook, so if you're unsure about a course, ask the provider how it monitors participation.
How our courses do it
Special Learning's BACB CE courses use the question measure: knowledge-check questions on the course content, at least 3 per CEU. You need 80% to earn your certificate.
Video CE Library: $199 for 12 months, free 7-day trial BACB CE hours, including 3.5 hours of Supervision Buy Now · Start the free 7-day trial
The renewal requirement itself didn't change
BCBAs still need 32 CEUs every two-year cycle, including 4 in ethics. If you supervised during the cycle, you also need 3 supervision CEUs through December 31, 2026, and 4 beginning January 1, 2027. Check your own count in your BACB account.
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.