The RBT exam is the final checkpoint on your journey to becoming a Registered Behavior Technician, an entry-level practitioner who delivers applied behavior-analytic (ABA) services under BCBA®/BCaBA® supervision.
Administered by Pearson VUE for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), the test confirms you can:

  • Collect reliable behavior-measurement data
  • Implement skill-acquisition and behavior-reduction plans exactly as written
  • Document sessions with clinical accuracy
  • Follow the RBT Ethics Code (2.0) and stay within scope of practice

Passing moves your certificate from inactive to active—opening the door to Medicaid billing, private-insurance reimbursement, and higher pay.

Official 2025 Exam Structure at a Glance

MetricDetail (2025)
Total questions85 multiple-choice
Scored questions75
Pilot (unscored) items10 (randomly scattered)
Answer options per item4 (A–D)
Correct answers per item1
Test duration90 minutes
Delivery modeComputer-based @ Pearson VUE center
Immediate score?Yes—on-screen + printed report
Passing scoreCriterion-referenced (Angoff); ~80 % is a safe target

Content Breakdown (75 scored Qs)

BACB Task-List Domain#Scored Qs% of Scored Exam
A. Measurement1216 %
B. Assessment68 %
C. Skill Acquisition2432 %
D. Behavior Reduction1216 %
E. Documentation & Reporting1013 %
F. Professional Conduct & Scope1115 %
Total75100 %

From Sign-Up to Score: 7-Step Exam Timeline

  • Create BACB account › legal name matches ID.
  • Finish the prerequisites – 40-hour training, background check, initial competency assessment.
  • Submit the RBT Application ($50) & wait ±14 days.
  • Authorization email → schedule via Pearson VUE ($45).
  • Test-day routine
  • Arrive 30 min early.
  • Bring two unexpired IDs (one government photo, one signature).
  • No watches, phones, or scratch paper—only a Pearson digital whiteboard.
  • 90-minute exam (timer visible). Flag items for review; unanswered = incorrect.
  • Instant Results – “PASS” prints; status turns inactive RBT until supervisor adds you.

Miss the score? You may retake up to 8 times in 12 months (7-day cooling-off).

How to Study Smarter (Not Longer)

  • Replicate the clock: always test with a 90-minute timer to train pacing.
  • Mimic the blueprint: our 85-question mocks include 10 disguised pilot items—you’ll never know which, just like the real exam.
  • Use error analytics: after each test we highlight weak domains (e.g., “Documentation” 50 %) and auto-suggest mini quizzes.
  • Leverage active recall: flashcards beat re-reading.
  • Teach back: explain DRO vs DRI to a friend; Feynman technique doubles retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 . How many questions count toward my RBT score?

75. Ten additional questions are pilots; you will not know which ones.

2 . What is the time limit?

You have 90 minutes—about 64 seconds per item. Unused time does not roll over.

3 . What’s the passing score?

BACB uses the modified Angoff method, so the cut score changes slightly each form. Historically, answering 60 + scored questions correctly (≈ 80 %) is safe.

4 . Can I pause the exam or take breaks?

You may raise your hand for a restroom break, but the clock keeps running and a palm-vein scan is required on exit/entry.

5 . How soon can I retake after a fail?

After 7 days. Pearson opens a new scheduling window 48 hours after your retake application.

6 . Is the exam offered online?

No. As of 1 Sept 2023 the BACB requires in-person Pearson VUE sites only.

7 . Does the BCBA Task List 3rd Edition affect me?

The Test Content Outline (3rd Ed.) goes live 1 Jan 2026. Our site will release updated quizzes six months prior.

8 . How can supervisors verify my certificate?

Once you pass and your supervisor links you, your status appears on the BACB Certificant Registry within 24 hours.