RBT - Registered Behavior Technician Professional Conduct and Scope 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An RBT notices that a behavior intervention plan written by the supervising BCBA appears to conflict with the client's dignity. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Modify the plan independently to better respect the client
- Refuse to implement the plan without explanation
- Raise the concern with the supervising BCBA during supervision (Correct answer)
- Report the BCBA to the BACB immediately
Correct answer: Raise the concern with the supervising BCBA during supervision
RBTs must work within the supervisory relationship and raise ethical concerns with their supervisor first. Independent plan modifications are outside RBT scope, and escalation to the BACB is reserved for situations where the supervisor fails to address the concern.
Question 2: Which of the following activities falls within the scope of practice for an RBT?
- Designing a new behavior intervention plan for a client
- Conducting a functional behavior assessment independently
- Implementing skill acquisition programs as directed by a BCBA (Correct answer)
- Diagnosing a client with autism spectrum disorder
Correct answer: Implementing skill acquisition programs as directed by a BCBA
RBTs are trained to implement—not design—behavior intervention and skill acquisition programs under the direction of a supervising BCBA. Assessment, diagnosis, and plan design require higher-level credentials.
Question 3: An RBT's family member asks them to share details about a client they work with, out of curiosity. What should the RBT do?
- Share general information since the family member is not a competitor
- Decline to share any client information to protect confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Share only the client's first name and diagnosis
- Ask the client's guardian for permission and then share details
Correct answer: Decline to share any client information to protect confidentiality
Client confidentiality is a core ethical obligation. RBTs must not share identifiable or detailed client information with anyone outside the treatment team, regardless of the relationship or how innocuous the request seems.
Question 4: An RBT realizes mid-session that they are unsure how to handle an unexpected challenging behavior not covered in the client's current plan. What should they do?
- Use their best judgment and implement a strategy they have seen work before
- End the session immediately and leave the client unattended
- Contact or consult their supervising BCBA as soon as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Ask the client's parent to decide on an intervention
Correct answer: Contact or consult their supervising BCBA as soon as safely possible
When situations arise outside the documented plan, RBTs must seek supervisor guidance rather than improvise. Contacting the supervising BCBA ensures interventions remain evidence-based and within sanctioned protocols.
Question 5: Under the BACB RBT Ethics Code, how should an RBT respond if a client's parent offers them a significant gift as a token of appreciation?
- Accept it graciously to maintain a positive therapeutic relationship
- Accept only if the gift is under a value threshold set by the employer
- Decline and explain that accepting gifts can create a conflict of interest (Correct answer)
- Consult with the BCBA and accept if the BCBA approves
Correct answer: Decline and explain that accepting gifts can create a conflict of interest
Accepting significant gifts can compromise professional objectivity and create dual relationships, which the BACB Ethics Code prohibits. RBTs should politely decline and explain the professional boundary to the family.
Question 6: An RBT working at an agency is approached by a competitor company and offered a position. Before accepting, what ethical obligation must the RBT consider regarding their current clients?
- There are no ethical obligations since employment decisions are personal
- They must give the BACB 30 days' written notice before switching jobs
- They should ensure a responsible transition that minimizes disruption to ongoing client services (Correct answer)
- They are prohibited from working for a competitor for one year after leaving
Correct answer: They should ensure a responsible transition that minimizes disruption to ongoing client services
The BACB Ethics Code requires behavior analysts and technicians to act in clients' best interests, including during transitions. An RBT must support a responsible handoff to avoid abandoning clients or disrupting their services.
RBT - Registered Behavior Technician Professional Conduct and Scope 1
An RBT notices that a behavior intervention plan written by the supervising BCBA appears to conflict with the client's dignity.
What is the most appropriate first step?