This guide summarizes what the BACB publishes about the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam. If you are still working out the order of steps, start with the eligibility list below, then look at the exam format and fees.
Exam format at a glance
| Item | What the BACB says |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 multiple choice: 75 scored, 10 unscored pilot questions |
| Answer choices | 4 per question, only 1 correct |
| Time | 90 minutes, including the terms and conditions, tutorial and load prompt |
| Language | English only |
| Content outline | RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.): 43 tasks in 6 domains, used for the exam from 2026 |
| Where | Pearson VUE |
What the exam covers
The 75 scored questions are split across six domains. Behavior Acquisition is the largest slice at a quarter of the exam, and Ethics is nearly as large as Behavior Reduction, so do not treat it as an afterthought.
| Domain | Scored questions | Share of exam |
|---|---|---|
| A. Data Collection and Graphing | 13 | 17% |
| B. Behavior Assessment | 8 | 11% |
| C. Behavior Acquisition | 19 | 25% |
| D. Behavior Reduction | 14 | 19% |
| E. Documentation and Reporting | 10 | 13% |
| F. Ethics | 11 | 15% |
| Total | 75 | 100% |
For a plain-language walk through each domain, see our RBT Test Content Outline explained.
Who can apply
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school-level education or equivalent.
- You must complete the required 40-hour training and the RBT Initial Competency Assessment. Since January 1, 2026, the updated versions are required for new applications. See what changed in 2026.
- You must undergo a criminal background check and an abuse registry check reviewed by an attestor.
- After your application is approved, you have one year to sit for the exam. Your BACB portal shows your specific deadlines.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2026 certification application processing fee (paid to the BACB) | $65 |
| Exam appointment (paid to Pearson VUE) | $45 |
| Total for a first attempt | $110 |
BACB fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Canceling or rescheduling within 30 days of your appointment carries a fee, and within 48 hours you cannot cancel or reschedule at all. Veterans who qualify for the GI Bill can receive reimbursement for BACB exam fees, per the handbook.
If you do not pass
- A retake application becomes available in your BACB portal within 48 hours of each failed attempt.
- You must wait 7 days between attempts.
- You can attempt the exam up to 8 times in total within 12 months of your application approval.
- The handbook says a retake application fee is not currently required. You pay the Pearson VUE fee for each new appointment.
Curious how training providers compare? See the BACB pass rates by provider. Compare all three credentials side by side in exam costs and retake rules.
How to prepare
The BACB recommends reviewing the test content outline. Beyond that, the highest-yield habit is retrieval practice: answer from memory, check, and come back to the items you missed. Prompt fading is itself an RBT task (Domain C), so it is a good thing to study the way you are being asked to apply it: full prompt first, then less and less help until you respond on your own. That is how our lessons are built.
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The RBT track is $10, one time, lifetime access (43 tasks, 129 lesson frames). Try the free sample of 3 frames first. Lessons use programmed instruction with prompt fading, plus SAFMEDS fluency sprints charted on a Standard Celeration Chart. See how mastery works and how we measure it.
All sales final: no refunds. The lesson content is AI-assisted and machine-validated, and has not yet been independently reviewed by a BCBA (details). It is a study aid, not an exam guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the RBT exam?
85 multiple-choice questions: 75 are scored and 10 are unscored pilot questions. Each has 4 answers and only 1 is correct. You cannot tell which questions are unscored.
How long is the RBT exam?
90 minutes. The BACB notes that this time includes reviewing the terms and conditions, the exam navigation tutorial and the load time prompt, in addition to the exam itself.
How soon can I retake the RBT exam?
You must wait 7 days after a previous attempt. You can attempt the exam a maximum of 8 times within 12 months of your application approval. The BACB Handbook says a retake application fee is not currently required, but you pay the Pearson VUE appointment fee again.
Is the RBT exam offered in languages other than English?
No. The BACB Handbook states the RBT examination is only offered in English.