Written to BACB's RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.)
- Data Collection and Graphing 17.3%
- Behavior Assessment 10.7%
- Behavior Acquisition 25.3%
- Behavior Reduction 18.7%
- Documentation and Reporting 13.3%
- Ethics 14.7%
Free · 2026 · 14.7% of the RBT RBT Ethics practice questions
Ethics is 14.7% of the RBT. Answer 10 questions (6 on Ethics) and see your score by domain, with every answer explained. Free, no sign-up.
An RBT is running a program that teaches a 7-year-old to make eye contact when greeting adults. The child's parent explains that in their family's culture, children show respect by looking down when speaking to elders and asks that the child not be taught to stare at adults. What should the RBT do?
Tap an answer, or press A to D
The RBT Ethics Code: competence, supervision, confidentiality, public statements, multiple relationships, gifts and cultural humility.
What the RBT exam tests in Ethics
- Apply the core principles of the RBT Ethics Code: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity and respect; behave with integrity
- Provide services only after demonstrating competence
- Provide services only under ongoing supervision by supervisors who meet BACB requirements
- Recognize effective supervision: training with instructions, modeling, rehearsal and feedback; observation of service delivery
- Follow rules for collecting, using, storing, protecting and disclosing confidential information
- Follow rules for public statements: social media, no misrepresenting credentials, behavior analysis or outcomes
- Identify multiple relationships, their risks, and how to reduce risk when unavoidable
- Follow the RBT Ethics Code rules on giving and receiving gifts
- Use interpersonal and professional skills as an RBT: accepting feedback, active listening, seeking input, collaborating
- Practice ongoing cultural humility and responsiveness, including identifying personal biases
High-yield ethics facts
- The RBT Ethics Code (2.0) has been in effect since January 1, 2022.
- Core principles: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity and respect; behave with integrity.
- RBTs are paraprofessionals. They work only within a defined role under close, ongoing supervision and are never independent practitioners.
- An RBT provides services only after the supervisor confirms competence.
- Do not use unfamiliar interventions or work with unfamiliar populations without training.
- Supervision must come from a BCBA or BCaBA who meets BACB requirements, including the BACB supervisor training.
| Rule | Number |
|---|---|
| Gift value limit | $10 or less, occasional token |
| Romantic relationship with former client/stakeholder | Not for at least 2 years |
| Supervision by a former romantic partner | Not until at least 6 months after it ended |
| Self-report relevant events to BACB (charges, investigations, discipline, impairing health conditions) | Within 30 days |
| Tell supervisor of a change in certification status | Within 24 hours |
| Minimum supervision | 5% of service hours each calendar month, at each organization |
| Supervision contacts | At least 2 real-time per month, at least 1 individual |
| Observation | Supervisor observes service delivery in at least 1 monthly contact (on-site preferred; live video allowed) |
The full RBT High-Yield Cram Sheet comes with full prep.
Common ethics traps
- A holiday does not raise the gift limit; $25 is still over $10.
- Phone calls, emails and texts do not count as supervision contacts.
- Professional development and ongoing supervision are separate; one meeting cannot count for both.
- 24 hours = tell the supervisor of a certification status change. 30 days = self-report to the BACB.
- Being supervised by a relative or by someone you employ is not allowed.
- Describing yourself with credentials you don't hold, or promising outcomes, is misrepresentation.
- Answering a caregiver's clinical question yourself instead of routing it to the supervisor goes beyond the RBT role.
Free RBT ethics practice questions
Question 1
An RBT receives a friend request on her personal social media account from the grandmother of a client she sees four times a week. What is the most appropriate action?
- AAccept, but limit what the grandmother can see on her profile
- BAccept, since the request came from a relative rather than the client
- CNot accept, keep contact professional, and mention it to her supervisor
- DAccept, and simply avoid posting anything about the client or sessions
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Declining personal social media connections prevents a multiple relationship. Keeping the supervisor informed supports transparency.
Why not A: Privacy settings do not prevent the personal connection. Accepting still creates a social relationship with a stakeholder.
Why not B: Caregivers and relatives are stakeholders. Personal connections with them can create multiple relationships just as with the client.
Why not D: Not posting about the client addresses confidentiality but not the multiple relationship created by the personal connection.
Remember: Personal social media connections with clients or stakeholders create multiple relationships and should be avoided.
Question 2
An RBT has been certified for 11 months and asks a coworker what is needed to keep demonstrating competence for certification renewal. Which answer is accurate according to the BACB?
- AComplete a renewal competency assessment with a qualified assessor before applying to renew
- BRepeat the full 40-hour RBT training course each year
- CRetake and pass the RBT examination each year
- DEarn a set number of continuing education units each year
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. RBTs renew annually, and each renewal requires a competency assessment completed by a qualified assessor.
Why not B: The 40-hour training is a one-time initial requirement, not an annual renewal step.
Why not C: RBTs do not retake the exam to renew; renewal relies on a competency assessment and application.
Why not D: CEU requirements apply to BCBAs and BCaBAs, not RBTs; this is a common mix-up between certifications.
Remember: RBT certification renews every year and requires a new competency assessment each time, not CEUs or a repeat exam.
Question 3
An RBT is arrested and charged with a misdemeanor over a weekend, outside of work. The case will not go to court for several months. According to the RBT Ethics Code, what is the RBT's obligation to the BACB?
- ASelf-report the charge to the BACB within 30 days
- BWait until the case is resolved and report only if there is a conviction
- CSelf-report the charge to the BACB within 24 hours of the arrest
- DInform only the employer, because the arrest happened while off duty
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. The RBT Ethics Code requires RBTs to self-report relevant events, including criminal charges, to the BACB within 30 days.
Why not B: The duty to self-report covers relevant charges, not just convictions, so waiting for the outcome breaks the rule.
Why not C: The Ethics Code gives 30 days, not 24 hours, to self-report to the BACB.
Why not D: Self-reporting duties apply whether the event happened on or off duty, and telling the employer does not replace reporting to the BACB.
Remember: Self-report relevant events such as legal charges to the BACB within 30 days, without waiting for the case outcome.
Question 4
At the end of a clinic session, a client's grandmother arrives to pick up the child. She asks the RBT how her grandson's toilet-training program is going. The grandmother is approved for pickup but is not listed as someone who may receive treatment information. What should the RBT do?
- AShare a brief, general summary, since she is close family and is picking up the child
- BAsk the child whether it is okay to tell his grandmother about his progress
- CLet her look at the data sheet without discussing it, so no information is spoken aloud
- DPolitely explain that they can't discuss treatment details and refer her to the parent or supervisor
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Treatment information goes only to people authorized by the legal guardian. A courteous referral protects confidentiality and keeps the relationship positive.
Why not A: Pickup permission does not authorize the release of treatment information. Even a general progress summary is a disclosure.
Why not B: A minor client cannot give legal authorization for disclosure. Consent must come from the legal guardian through proper channels.
Why not C: Showing records is still a disclosure. The method of sharing does not change whether the person is authorized.
Remember: Being a relative or an approved pickup does not authorize someone to receive confidential treatment information.
Question 5
An RBT worked with a child for two years. The case closed 9 months ago. The child's single father now asks the RBT out on a date. According to the RBT Ethics Code, which statement is accurate?
- AIt is permitted, because the father was a stakeholder rather than the client
- BIt is permitted, as long as the RBT informs the supervisor and documents it
- CIt is not permitted until at least 2 years after the professional relationship ended
- DIt is permitted, because more than 6 months have passed since services ended
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. The Code bans romantic relationships with former clients and stakeholders for at least 2 years after the professional relationship ends.
Why not A: The ban covers stakeholders such as parents as well as clients.
Why not B: Telling the supervisor and documenting is how to handle unavoidable multiple relationships; it does not make a banned romantic relationship acceptable.
Why not D: Six months is the waiting period before accepting supervision from a past romantic partner, not the rule for former clients or stakeholders.
Remember: RBTs may not date former clients or stakeholders until at least 2 years after the professional relationship ends.
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