RBT 3.0 Transition Checklist

Are You Ready for the new 12-PDU mandate?

Free resource from Special Learning — BACB ACE Provider #OP-14-2437, ABA training for the full workforce.

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What's Changing (and When)

RBTs now earn 12 professional development units (PDUs) during each 2-year recertification cycle. Your cycle — and your PDU clock — begins when you certify or recertify in 2026, not on a single date shared by everyone. If you recertify in November, your clock starts in November.

Your 12 PDUs are due by the end of your own 2-year cycle — so how long you have depends on when you certify or recertify in 2026. That's enough time — but only if you know what counts.

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✅ The Checklist

Step 1 — Confirm Your Credential Status

• Log in to the BACB Gateway and verify your RBT credential is active and not lapsed
• Note your current recertification date (annual renewal, set by your credentialing anniversary)
• Confirm your supervisor of record is active and credentialed (BCBA or BCaBA)

Step 2 — Understand What Counts as a PDU

• PDUs are earned through RBT-designated professional development activities
• ⚠️ CE Library and BYO courses from Special Learning are CE-designated (for BCBAs/BCaBAs) — they do NOT count as RBTs PDUs. CE and PDU are mutually exclusive per BACB. This is the most common misconception.
• Look for content explicitly designated as RBT PDU-eligible by the provider
• Starting July 1, 2026, new BACB ACE Provider standards add participation monitoring for self-paced (asynchronous) CE — at least 3 knowledge-check questions per CEU. This is not a format ban: article-and-quiz, video, journal clubs, and podcasts all remain valid when they meet the participation-monitoring standard.

Step 3 — Know the 3rd Edition Test Content Outline

• The BACB renamed "Task List" to Test Content Outline (TCO) for the RBT 3rd Edition — make sure any PDU content aligns to TCO terminology
• Your PDU content should map to one or more TCO skill areas (A-F task categories)
• Cultural humility (TCO F.10) is a new emphasis area — look for content covering ongoing responsiveness, not just knowledge recall

Step 4 — If You're in Pennsylvania (PA-IBHS)

• Pennsylvania IBHS has TWO separate BHT training obligations, and they are not interchangeable. BEFORE a new BHT provides services independently: at least 30 hours of Department-approved training (55 Pa. Code § 5240.73(c)), plus a further 24 hours within the first 6 months (§ 5240.73(d)).
• EVERY YEAR, ongoing: at least 20 hours of Department-approved training related to the individual’s specific job functions (55 Pa. Code § 5240.73(e)). Meeting the annual 20 hours does not by itself satisfy the 30-hour pre-independence requirement.
• This is separate from BACB PDU requirements — you need BOTH

Step 5 — Build Your Plan

• Target: 6 PDUs in Year 1 of your 2-year cycle, 6 PDUs in Year 2 (spreads the load)
• Track completions with certificates of completion — you'll need these for BACB audit
• Don't wait until 2026 to source providers — PDU-approved content is limited now, before the mandate creates demand

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What's Coming from Special Learning

Special Learning's RBT PDU Library is currently in development — a standalone subscription built specifically for the PDU mandate, with content mapped directly to the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd Edition). Early-access list is open now.

Join below and we'll notify you when:

• RBT PDU Library opens for enrollment
• New PDU-eligible courses are added
• BACB clarifies additional PDU guidance for the now-live 12-PDU requirement

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The One Thing to Remember

12 PDUs. Every 2-year cycle. Your cycle starts when you certify or recertify in 2026 — so your first deadline is two years from your date, not a date everyone shares.

Plan for it now. Every RBT who waits until late 2026 will be competing for limited PDU-eligible content from a small pool of providers. Get ahead of it.

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*Special Learning | ACE Provider #OP-14-2437 | store.special-learning.com*