Overview of BACB CEU Requirements
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires all certificants to complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their professional credentials. CEUs ensure that behavior analysts stay current with research, ethical standards, and best practices throughout their careers.
Requirements vary by certification level. BCBAs and BCaBAs follow a 2-year recertification cycle, while RBTs operate on an annual cycle. Each level has specific minimums for total CEUs and certain categories such as ethics and supervision.
All CEUs must be earned through BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) providers. CEUs from non-authorized providers will not count toward your requirements.
BCBA CEU Requirements
Board Certified Behavior Analysts must complete a total of 32 CEUs during each 2-year certification maintenance cycle. These CEUs must be distributed across specific categories to ensure well-rounded professional development.
Quick Summary
| Category | Minimum Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total CEUs | 32 CEUs | Per 2-year cycle |
| Ethics | 4 CEUs | Minimum requirement |
| Supervision | 3 CEUs | Required if providing supervision |
| Learning | 25 CEUs | Remaining balance after ethics and supervision |
Certification Cycle
Your 2-year certification cycle begins on the date your certification was issued or last renewed. All 32 CEUs must be completed before your certification expiration date. The BACB does not allow CEUs to carry over from one cycle to the next, so plan accordingly.
Log into the BACB Gateway to view your exact certification dates and track CEUs submitted by ACE providers. Set a calendar reminder for 6 months before your expiration date.
BCaBA CEU Requirements
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts follow the same 2-year recertification cycle as BCBAs with identical total and category requirements.
| Category | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Total CEUs | 32 CEUs per 2-year cycle |
| Ethics | 4 CEUs minimum |
| Supervision | 3 CEUs (if providing supervision) |
| Learning | Remaining balance |
BCaBAs must practice under the supervision of a BCBA. While supervision CEUs are only required if the BCaBA provides supervision to others, earning supervision-related CEUs can strengthen clinical skills.
RBT CEU Requirements
Registered Behavior Technicians follow an annual renewal cycle. The BACB has recently updated the RBT CEU requirements, so it is important to understand both the current and upcoming changes.
Current Requirements (2025)
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Total CEUs | 20 CEUs annually |
| Type | General behavior analysis training |
| Deadline | By certification expiration date |
Updated Requirements Starting 2026
Starting in 2026, the BACB is reducing the RBT CEU requirement from 20 to 12 CEUs annually. This change reflects feedback from the field and aims to make maintenance more manageable while still ensuring competency.
RBTs do not have separate ethics or supervision CEU category requirements. All CEUs should be in general behavior analysis training relevant to the RBT scope of practice.
CEU Categories Explained
The BACB organizes CEUs into distinct categories. Understanding these categories is critical for planning your continuing education and ensuring you meet all requirements.
General professional development covering behavior analysis concepts, research methods, assessment and treatment procedures, and applied topics. These make up the bulk of your CEU requirements.
- Research-based instructional strategies
- Assessment and intervention methods
- Conceptual and philosophical foundations
- Specialized topics (OBM, verbal behavior, etc.)
Focused on professional conduct, ethical decision-making, and the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. A minimum of 4 ethics CEUs per cycle is required for BCBAs and BCaBAs.
- BACB Ethics Code application
- Ethical decision-making frameworks
- Professional boundaries and dual relationships
- Informed consent and confidentiality
For BCBAs who provide supervision to trainees, RBTs, or BCaBAs. A minimum of 3 supervision CEUs per cycle is required if you provide supervision.
- Effective supervision practices
- Performance feedback and evaluation
- Training and competency development
- Supervisory relationship management
Accepted CEU Activities
CEUs must be earned through activities offered by BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) providers. The BACB maintains a directory of over 2,500 authorized providers. Accepted activity formats include:
Online Courses
Self-paced or live webinar courses through ACE providers. Many platforms offer courses starting at $13 per CEU credit.
Conferences and Workshops
National, state, and regional ABA conferences. Major events such as ABAI, APBA, and state association conferences offer large CEU counts.
Journal Clubs
Structured discussions of published research. Organizations such as APBA offer monthly journal clubs with CEU credit.
Teaching and Presenting
Instruction at ACE-approved events can earn CEU credit. Check with the sponsoring organization for specific policies.
University Coursework
Graduate-level courses through university-based ABA programs may qualify for CEU credit when offered by an ACE provider.
Tracking Your CEUs
Maintaining accurate records of your CEU completion is essential. The BACB may audit your CEU records at any time, so keeping organized documentation protects your certification.
Recommended Tracking Practices
- Use the BACB Gateway: Log in regularly to confirm that ACE providers have reported your completed CEUs. This is the official record.
- Keep all certificates: Save digital and physical copies of every CEU completion certificate. Store them in a dedicated folder organized by certification cycle.
- Track by category: Maintain a personal log that separates Learning, Ethics, and Supervision CEUs so you can see your progress toward each minimum.
- Record provider details: Note the ACE provider name, provider number, date of completion, and number of CEUs for each activity.
- Set milestone reminders: Schedule check-ins at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months into your cycle to verify you are on track.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding frequent pitfalls can help you avoid certification issues. Here are the most common mistakes behavior analysts make with their CEU requirements:
Waiting Until the Last Minute
Cramming all CEUs into the final months of your cycle limits your options and increases stress. Courses may have waitlists, and conferences sell out. Start early and spread your CEUs across the full cycle.
Ignoring Category Minimums
Completing 32 total CEUs is not enough if you lack the required 4 ethics or 3 supervision CEUs. Track each category separately throughout your cycle.
Using Non-Approved Providers
Only CEUs from BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) providers count toward your requirements. Verify provider authorization before enrolling in any course or event.
Not Verifying Gateway Records
ACE providers report CEUs to the BACB, but errors can occur. Regularly check the BACB Gateway to confirm your CEUs are accurately recorded.
Assuming CEUs Carry Over
The BACB does not allow excess CEUs from one cycle to apply to the next. Complete exactly what you need each cycle and start fresh with each renewal.
Missing the Deadline
Your certification expiration date is a hard deadline. If requirements are not met, your certification will lapse and reinstatement may involve additional fees and steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
BCBAs must complete 32 CEUs every 2-year certification cycle. This includes a minimum of 4 ethics CEUs and 3 supervision CEUs (if providing supervision). The remaining CEUs can be in general learning.
No. The BACB does not allow CEUs to carry over between certification cycles. All required CEUs must be earned within your current 2-year cycle.
If you fail to complete your CEU requirements by your certification expiration date, your certification will lapse. You may need to apply for reinstatement, which can involve additional fees, a waiting period, and potentially retaking the certification exam.
No. RBTs are not required to complete supervision-specific CEUs. Their requirements focus on general behavior analysis training relevant to their scope of practice.
Learning CEUs (Type 2) cover general professional development in behavior analysis, including research methods, assessment, and intervention techniques. Ethics CEUs specifically address the BACB Ethics Code, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct standards.
The BACB maintains an official directory of Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) providers on their website at bacb.com. You can search by provider name, location, or delivery format. There are currently over 2,500 authorized providers worldwide.
Yes. Starting in 2026, the BACB is reducing the annual RBT CEU requirement from 20 CEUs to 12 CEUs. This change is designed to make certification maintenance more manageable for RBTs.
The 3 supervision CEU minimum applies only to BCBAs who are currently providing supervision to trainees, RBTs, or BCaBAs. If you do not provide supervision, those 3 CEUs can be earned in any other category.
Ready to Start Earning CEUs?
Now that you understand the requirements, explore our other guides to find the best CEU opportunities and create a plan that works for your schedule and budget.