RBT Professional Development: In-Service and ACE Events

Types of PDUs | In-Service vs. ACE Events | RBT PD Event Requirements

Earning professional development units (PDUs) is a new requirement for RBTs that will begin once they become certified or have recertified in 2026. As first announced in the December 2023 BACB Newsletter, this change was designed to help RBTs build and refine their skills throughout their careers. Professional development (PD) focuses on continuous growth—not just maintaining their current skills but continuing to strengthen them and learn new ones along the way.

In this blog, we’ll walk through:

  • The different ways RBTs can earn PDUs
  • The similarities and differences between In-Service and ACE events
  • General PD requirements
  • How to document PDUs

Let’s dive in!

Types of PDUs

After becoming newly certified or recertified in 2026, RBTs are required to earn 12 PDUs during each 2-year recertification cycle. They can earn PDUs through any of the following categories:

  • Didactic Behavior-Analytic University Coursework
  • In-service training
  • ACE PD events
Infographic explaining how Registered Behavior Technicians earn Professional Development Units. Twelve PDUs are required every two years and may be earned from any combination of didactic behavior‑analytic university coursework, in‑service training, or ACE events.

Let’s look at each category:

1. Didactic Behavior-Analytic University Coursework

For RBTs who are currently in college, this option is a win-win. Behavior-analytic university courses can count toward PD requirements as long as:

  • the university is accredited,
  • the course is behavior-analytic in nature, and
  • a grade of “C” or better is earned.

RBTs must upload the following documents in their BACB account (this functionality will be available soon):

  • the course syllabus, and
  • the transcript with proof of a passing grade.

One semester credit hour equals 15 hours of classroom instruction—that’s 15 PDUs. For example, a 3-credit-hour course that meets the requirements provides 45 PDUs.

If you’re already enrolled in behavior-analytic courses, such as Foundations of Behavior Analysis or Methods of Behavior Analysis, you may be earning PDUs without even realizing it!

2. Approved Continuing Education (ACE) PD Events

ACE Providers may also offer PD events for RBTs.

To qualify:

ACE PD events are typically:

  • open to any RBTs (depending on the provider)
  • offered outside of company time

This option is helpful if an RBT’s organization does not offer in-service PDUs and they are not enrolled in behavior-analytic coursework. These events may be offered in a variety of formats, including online webinars or conferences specifically for RBTs. RBTs and RBT Supervisors can review these events together so the RBT Supervisor can guide them to high-quality, meaningful options. Ideally, the RBT Supervisor will debrief with them after they attend an ACE event to discuss what they learned.

3. In-Service Training

Organizations that employ RBTs can offer qualifying in-service trainings that qualify for PDUs.

To qualify:

In-Service trainings are typically:

  • completed during company time
  • offered only to RBTs employed by that organization

This PD type allows organizations to directly support their employees’ professional growth. Organizations can also use this as an opportunity to create (or update) their training schedule so that staff training meets the RBT PDU requirements. Another benefit is that organizations can align PDU topics with the services, goals, and situations most relevant to their work (e.g., focused training on academic skill development). This may also allow for follow-up activities and discussions.

In-Service vs. ACE Events: What’s the Difference?

You might be wondering: Are these actually different?

Great question!

The core requirements for both In-Service and ACE PD events are the same (we’ll review those next).

The main differences are logistical:

  • In-Service trainings are provided by the organization where the RBT is employed and typically conducted on company time.
  • ACE PD events are provided by ACE Providers and may be available to any RBT interested in the event, regardless of where they work.

These two options offer flexibility for both RBTs and the organizations that employ them, helping ensure there are enough meaningful professional development opportunities.

If an organization is both a service provider and an ACE Provider, it can choose the option that works best for its internal training events.

RBT PD Event Requirements

Whether a PD event is In-Service or ACE, it must meet certain standards.

PD Content and Audience

PD events should cover or expand upon:

PD events are designed specifically for RBTs. Because they focus on foundational RBT-level material, BCBAs and BCaBAs cannot earn continuing education units (CEUs) by attending or teaching RBT PD events. Likewise, RBTs cannot earn PDUs by attending CE events. Those events are designed for BCBAs and BCaBAs and may be too advanced or not relevant to RBT practice.

Different credentials equal different continuing education pathways:

PD Events CE Events
Content Covers or expands on material from the RBT 40-hour training, the RBT Ethics Code, or other topics relevant to RBTs Any aspect of behavior analysis: practice, science, methodology, theory, or the profession itself
Skill Level Focused on foundational and applied RBT skills (e.g., basic behavior-analytic techniques) Beyond basic behavior-analytic techniques
Audience Designed for RBTs who may have only completed 40 hours of training in behavior analysis Designed for individuals who have completed bachelor’s or master’s degree coursework in behavior analysis
Content Recency Up-to-date content Up-to-date content

Examples of appropriate RBT PD content:

  • using best practices for interacting with caregivers of clients
  • using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to communicate with clients
  • using best practices for implementing assent-based treatment
  • applying evidence-based practices to mitigate work-related stress
  • implementing and troubleshooting token economies
  • running effective discrete trial teaching sessions
  • identifying verbal operants by function and controlling variables
  • discriminating between positive and negative reinforcement and punishment
  • preparing effectively for service delivery
  • following ethical practices for RBTs

Examples of content that does not qualify:

  • receiving client- or program-specific training
  • reviewing company policies and procedures
  • completing BCBA exam prep materials
  • attending an ACE event that offers CEUs for BCaBAs and BCBAs
  • training on ABA program and data management software
  • completing the 40-hour RBT training again (PD topics should expand upon the content from the 40-hour RBT training; see examples above)
  • completing CPR training
  • attending individual or group supervision meetings about specific client programming

If it’s basic onboarding, company policy, or supervision, it’s probably not a PD event. Additionally, RBT 40-Hour Trainings cannot be repackaged as RBT PD events. However, content that is covered in the RBT 40-Hour Training can be reviewed in more depth or expanded upon to qualify for RBT PD events.

PD Instructors

PD Instructors must hold an active BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D certification.

Co-presenters: Co-presenters may present a portion of a PD event under the direct oversight of a qualified PD Instructor who is present at the event.

Learning Objectives: PD Instructors must create learning objectives for all PD events.

Event Format and Participation

PD events must be structured and intentionally designed to deliver knowledge, skills, or competencies related to approved content. Instruction may include structured activities such as role-play, answering questions, or other active student-responding activities. ACE Providers and organizations offering in-service trainings must ensure that participants are present for the entire PD event. For more information, please see the RBT Professional Development: In-Service Training Requirements document or the ACE Provider Handbook: Effective July 1, 2026.

PDU Documentation

All PD events must be documented using the appropriate BACB fillable PDF form:

Filling Out PDU Forms: ACE Providers can use software to bulk complete the forms with a few caveats. First, the final product must match the current version of the form on the BACB website. The form may not be changed in any way, including removing or adding content (e.g., adding company logos, removing required information). Second, if you would like to incorporate a BACB form into your software application, you must first receive explicit permission from the BACB. To request permission, visit Section 13 of the BACB Terms of Use (Requests to Use BACB Intellectual Property) and complete the Copyright and/or Trademark Permission Request Form.

Wrapping Up

Professional development is an important new requirement for RBT certification beginning in 2026. While it might take some adjustment, this requirement provides an opportunity for RBTs to strengthen their knowledge and skills, reinforce ethical practice, and improve client services.