ETHICS RESOURCES

 

Ethics Toolkits

The BACB’s ethics toolkits offer important information focused on helping individuals and organizations provide high-quality services in compliance with BACB ethics requirements. These easy-to-use resources can support certificants as they design needed systems and processes or evaluate existing ones. We encourage certificants to use and share these toolkits as they practice, supervise, train, and teach courses.

Continuity of Services

The Continuity of Services toolkit offers considerations for designing and evaluating processes that help manage service interruptions, transitions, and discontinuations—and don’t forget to check out the interactive resources at the end of the toolkit that can be shared, modified, and used in your practice.
The Continuity of Services: Reminders for RBTs document is a companion to the Continuity of Services toolkit that provides additional guidance for RBTs as they navigate changes or interruptions in their ability to provide services.

 

The Continuity of Services toolkit offers considerations for designing and evaluating processes that help manage service interruptions, transitions, and discontinuations—and don’t forget to check out the interactive resources at the end of the toolkit that can be shared, modified, and used in your practice.
The Continuity of Services: Reminders for RBTs document is a companion to the Continuity of Services toolkit that provides additional guidance for RBTs as they navigate changes or interruptions in their ability to provide services.

 

 

Ethics-Related Resources

Resources from the BACB

The BACB is committed to providing certificants and others with resources related to ethics. To that end we have complied all the ethics related articles from the BACB Newsletters published over the years.

Ethics-Related Newsletters

Article Content Newsletter Year Newsletter Month Article Title Article Subheading Article Starting Page Number
Introducing the New Ethics Codes for Behavior Analysts 2020 December Entire newsletter 1
Announcing Changes to BCaBA Examination Specifications 2020 August Taking Supervision Seriously Common Supervision Issues 5
Ethics violations and code-enforcement activities 2019 November Ethics Violations and Code-Enforcement Activities 2018 Update 2
New resource 2019 August New Ethics Resource 3
Supervisors and trainees 2019 August Experience/Fieldwork Verification Forms Preventing Disputes Between Supervisors and Trainees 1
Publicly documented alleged violation submission 2019 August New Anonymous Ethics Reporting Mechanism Available The Publicly
Documented Alleged Violation Submission		 3

 

Article Content Newsletter Year Newsletter Month Article Title Article Subheading Article Starting Page Number
RBT requirements 2018 December Ethics Requirements RBT Ethics Code 5
Special edition: RBT certification changes and process improvements 2018 December Ethics Requirements RBT Certification Requirements 2
RBT practitioners 2018 November Behavior Technicians May Not be Independent Contractors in the U.S. 3
Self-reporting requirements 2017 April Reporting Important Information to the BACB: Health and Safety Related Incidents–Part 2 10.02 Timely Responding, Reporting, and Updating of Information Provided to the BACB 2
Self-reporting requirements 2016 November Reporting Important Information to the BACB: Health and Safety Related Incidents 10.02 Timely Responding, Reporting, and Updating of Information Provided to the BACB 2
Testimonials 2016 April On Testimonials 3
Multiple relationships 2015 October Notes from the Legal Department Multiple Relationships 3
Conflict of interest 2015 October Notes from the Legal Department Multiple Relationships 3
Exploitive relationships 2015 October Notes from the Legal Department Multiple Relationships 3
Definition of “client” 2015 May The Professional Ethical and Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: An Update The Definition of “Client” 1
Definition of “student” 2015 May The Professional Ethical and Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: An Update The Definition of “Client” 2
Code updates 2015 May The Professional Ethical and Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: An Update The Definition of “Client” 1
Multiple relationships 2015 May The Professional Ethical and Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: An Update On Gifts 2
Guidance on gifts 2015 May The Professional Ethical and Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: An Update On Gifts 2
How BACB processes incidents prior to new Compliance Code 2014 December Notes from the Legal Department Implementation of the BACB’s New Code of Ethics 5
Use of pending, candidate, or pursuant status 2014 December Notes from the Legal Department Tips for University Programs and Continuing Education Providers: Avoiding Misrepresentations 5
Guidance on retainers 2014 November Notes from the Legal Department Setting the Record Straight about Questionable Business Practices 6
Guidance on waitlists 2014 November Notes from the Legal Department Setting the Record Straight about Questionable Business Practices 6
Guidance on providing clinical hour recommendations 2014 November Notes from the Legal Department Setting the Record Straight about Questionable Business Practices 6
BACB processing of complaints regarding business practices 2014 November Notes from the Legal Department Setting the Record Straight about Questionable Business Practices 6
Description of 2014 ethics workgroup 2014 September Special Edition on Ethics 1
Description of Guidelines and Standards into Compliance Code 2014 September A Revised Code of Ethics 2
Development of Code Compliance Committee 2014 September Changes to the Disciplinary System Development of two specialized committees 3
Time limitation on complaints 2014 September Changes to the Disciplinary System Limitations on actions 3
Who can be named in a complaint 2014 September Changes to the Disciplinary System Party named in the complaint 3
Release of complaint to party named 2014 September Changes to the Disciplinary System Provision of the complaint to the named party 3
How BACB reports disciplinary actions 2014 September Changes to the Disciplinary System Event reporting 3
Cross-reference guide for Compliance Code to Guidelines and Standards 2014 September Not applicable 5
BCaBA representation of credential 2014 May Notes from the BACB Legal Department BCaBA Representations 5
RBT trademark/copyright use 2014 May Notes from the BACB Legal Department Registered Behavior Technician Trademark/Copyright Use 5
RBT ethical requirements (Guidelines); BACB processing of complaints against RBT 2013 December Ethics and Discipline 4
BACB processing of complaints against RBT 2013 December Ethics and Discipline 4
Disciplinary and Appeals Committee members 2011 January Disciplinary Discussion with Revised Disciplinary Procedures 6
Use of pending, candidate, or pursuant status 2008 September Focus on Ethics: OOPS – Did I Say That? 2
Limitations of BACB legal advice 2007 January Focus on Ethics 9
Non-behavior-analytic and non-evidence-based interventions 2007 January The Ethical Behavior Analyst 10
Collaboration with other professionals 2005 August Playing Nicely with Others 1

 

Ethics-Related Episodes of Inside the BACB

Episode 22: Helpful Ethics Resources

In this episode of Inside the BACB, the BACB’s Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers and Ethics Educational Manager Dr. Sarah Lichtenberger discuss two new, helpful resources for certificants: the Continuity of Services toolkit and a video that covers the nuts-and-bolts of self-reporting to the BACB. Listen now for more information.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 21: The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees

In this episode of The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts podcast series, CEO Dr. Jim Carr and Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers dive into Section 4 of the revised ethics code to discuss the standards that help facilitate high-quality supervision.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 19: The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders

In this episode of the BACB’s Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts podcast series, join Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers and Ethics Educational Manager Dr. Sarah Lichtenberger as they discuss what’s missing, what’s new, and what has changed in Section 3 of the revised ethics code for BCBAs and BCaBAs: Responsibility to Clients and Stakeholders.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 18: The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: Responsibility in Practice

In this episode of the BACB’s Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts podcast series, CEO Dr. Jim Carr and Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers tackle Section 2 of the updated ethics code for BCBAs and BCaBAs: Responsibility in Practice. Listen now to learn more.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 16: The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: Responsibility as a Professional

This episode of Inside the BACB is the second in an ethics-based series titled The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. Join CEO Dr. Jim Carr and Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers as they systematically break down and analyze the first section of the new Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Responsibility as a Professional.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 15: Introduction to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts

In this episode of Inside the BACB, join CEO Dr. Jim Carr and Director of Ethics Dr. Tyra Sellers as they discuss the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, an updated ethics Code for BCBAs and BCaBAs. Listen now to get the inside scoop on the revision process, important additions to the Code, and more.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 11: The BACB’s Role in the Profession of Behavior Analysis

In this episode of Inside the BACB, CEO Jim Carr and Deputy CEO Melissa Nosik explore the BACB’s role in the profession of behavior analysis and discuss diversity policies, processes, programs, and other developments.

Resources:

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

Episode 10: Addressing Potential Ethics Violations With Others

In this episode of Inside the BACB, join Dr. Tyra Sellers, Director of Ethics for the BACB, as she discusses when, why, and how to approach others about possible violations of the BACB's ethics standards

Resources:
— Ethics Information
— BACB Ethical Compliance Code

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.
Episode 9: Inside the BACB’s Ethics Department

In this episode of Inside the BACB, join Drs. Tyra Sellers, Sarah Lichtenberger, and Holly Seniuk for a glimpse into the BACB's Ethics Department, including its mission and structure, and available ethics resources.

Resources:
— Ethics Information
— BACB Ethical Compliance Code

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.
Episode 6: The History of Ethics at the BACB

In this episode of Inside the BACB, learn about the history and evolution of ethics standards at the BACB from Misty Bloom, the BACB's Director of Regulatory Affairs and Chief Legal Counsel, and key members of the Ethics Department.

Resources:
— Ethics Information
— BACB Ethical Compliance Code

For a transcribed version of this episode, please watch the episode on our YouTube channel with closed captions.

 

BACB Summary of Ethics Violations and Code-Enforcement Activities: 2016-2017

The Summary of Ethics Violations and Code-Enforcement Activities summarizes ethics violations and enforcement activities based on Notices of Alleged Violation received in the first 2 years under the BACB ethics requirements.

Resources from Other Organizations

The following resources provide guidance on ethics-related issues from sources other than the BACB. The BACB does not endorse, represent, or warrant these, or any, resources as comprehensive or applicable to individual circumstances.

ABA Ethics Hotline

The ABA Ethics Hotline allows individuals to submit ethics-related questions and receive direct guidance from a panel of ethics experts.

Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) Ethics Challenges

ABPA’s newsletter, APBA Reporter, is available to ABPA members and includes articles highlighting ethical dilemmas and guidance for considering and addressing them.

Journal Articles and Books

Find journal articles since 2003 and books related to ethics and applied behavior analysis. Please note: While updated periodically, this list is not meant to be comprehensive.

 

BACB Ethics History

The BACB is committed to documenting and archiving important historical documents for the profession, which you can find below. This BACB Ethics Timeline infographic below was created to highlight important advancements and changes since the start of the BACB in 1998. The historical documents provided below are for historical reference only, as newer iterations or documents have been developed and define the current Ethics standards and codes.

The following infographic is interactive. Click the thumbnails below to open the respective documents.


 

The BACB cannot provide legal or ethics advice under any circumstances. There are a number of resources available for anyone seeking guidance related to ethics in Ethics Resources. U.S. residents of states that regulate the practice of behavior analysis may contact their state disciplinary boards. For more information about regulation in the U.S., the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts has a resource page on licensure and regulation. Whenever possible, we encourage, but do not require you to consult with a behavior analyst who specializes in the matter before filing a Notice of Alleged Violation. For legal advice, please consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. For additional guidance on ethics-related matters, please see the BACB Ethical Guidance section.