Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certification Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A skill acquisition plan states that a learner must perform a target behavior independently with 90% accuracy across three consecutive sessions before the goal is considered complete. The '90% across three sessions' component is formally called:

The discriminative stimulus
The reinforcement schedule
The mastery criterion (Correct answer)
The prompting hierarchy

Correct answer: The mastery criterion

A mastery criterion defines the specific performance standard a learner must meet for a skill to be considered learned. It typically includes both an accuracy threshold and a consistency requirement (e.g., number of consecutive sessions or probes) to ensure the skill is stable before moving on.

Question 2: A new RBT is unsure how to handle a challenging behavior they have not encountered before. What should they do first?

Ask the client's parent what has worked at home
Try a strategy that worked with a previous client
Consult with the supervising BCBA before attempting any intervention (Correct answer)
Research behavior strategies online and apply the most reviewed one

Correct answer: Consult with the supervising BCBA before attempting any intervention

RBTs must consult their supervisor before implementing any unplanned strategy, as interventions must be authorized by the BCBA.

Question 3: Under which circumstance is it appropriate for an RBT to provide their personal contact information to a client's family?

It is generally not appropriate; communication should go through the agency or supervisor (Correct answer)
When the BCBA is unavailable and an emergency arises
Only if the client has been receiving services for more than six months
Whenever the family requests it to make scheduling easier

Correct answer: It is generally not appropriate; communication should go through the agency or supervisor

Sharing personal contact information can blur professional boundaries and should be avoided; official agency channels should be used instead.

Question 4: When implementing a punishment procedure, an RBT notices the target behavior is increasing rather than decreasing. This MOST likely means:

The procedure is working as expected during an extinction burst
The consequence being delivered is actually functioning as a reinforcer (Correct answer)
The RBT should immediately increase the intensity of the consequence
The behavior is on a variable ratio schedule

Correct answer: The consequence being delivered is actually functioning as a reinforcer

By definition, punishment decreases behavior. If the behavior increases, the consequence is functioning as a reinforcer, not a punisher, regardless of the RBT's intent.

Question 5: According to the BACB RBT Ethics Code, which of the following is a core responsibility of an RBT?

Independently designing behavior intervention plans for new clients
Operating under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA at all times (Correct answer)
Making independent decisions about which reinforcers to use
Conducting functional behavior assessments without supervisor involvement

Correct answer: Operating under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA at all times

RBTs must operate under the close, ongoing supervision of a qualified BCBA or BCaBA. They implement programs designed by supervisors and do not independently develop assessments or interventions.

Question 6: What is the primary goal of skill acquisition programs in ABA?

To collect data on existing skills only
To teach new socially significant behaviors (Correct answer)
To provide reinforcement on a fixed schedule
To eliminate all problem behaviors

Correct answer: To teach new socially significant behaviors

Skill acquisition programs in ABA focus on teaching new, socially significant behaviors that improve the client's quality of life. While behavior reduction is also part of ABA, skill acquisition specifically targets building new repertoires.

Question 7: If an RBT disagrees with a treatment decision made by the supervising BCBA, what is the ethical course of action?

Raise the concern with the BCBA through appropriate professional communication (Correct answer)
Discuss the disagreement with the client's parents to gain support
Refuse to implement the intervention until it is changed
Modify the procedure to match their own judgment during sessions

Correct answer: Raise the concern with the BCBA through appropriate professional communication

RBTs should communicate disagreements professionally and directly to their supervising BCBA rather than unilaterally changing procedures or involving clients' families.

Question 8: Which communications or materials need to be protected in order to maintain confidentiality?

Written documents, oral discussions, consultations, and electronic reports. (Correct answer)
Only items that are written.
Electronic reports because the internet is not trustworthy.
Oral discussions in public.

Correct answer: Written documents, oral discussions, consultations, and electronic reports.

To avoid unauthorized access, all information must be appropriately stored.

Question 9: An RBT is asked to conduct a paired-stimulus preference assessment. What does this procedure involve?

Presenting items one at a time and recording approach responses
Presenting two items at a time and recording which item the client selects (Correct answer)
Asking the caregiver to rank the client's preferred items
Presenting all preferred items simultaneously and allowing free choice

Correct answer: Presenting two items at a time and recording which item the client selects

In a paired-stimulus (forced-choice) preference assessment, two items are presented simultaneously on each trial and the client selects one. Items are systematically paired so each appears with every other item, producing a preference hierarchy.

Question 10: An RBT is using momentary time sampling with 1-minute intervals over a 10-minute observation. The client is on-task at the moment of observation in 6 of 10 intervals. What does this tell us?

The client had 6 correct responses
The client was on-task for exactly 60% of the session
The client was on-task at 60% of the sampled time points (Correct answer)
The client completed 6 tasks during the session

Correct answer: The client was on-task at 60% of the sampled time points

Momentary time sampling only reflects what is happening at the exact moment of observation, not the total duration of the behavior.

Question 11: In a most-to-least prompting hierarchy, what happens first?

No prompt is given until the learner makes an error
The least intrusive prompt is provided
The most intrusive prompt is provided to ensure success (Correct answer)
The learner attempts the task independently

Correct answer: The most intrusive prompt is provided to ensure success

In most-to-least prompting, the instructor begins with the most intrusive prompt to ensure the learner successfully completes the response. Prompts are then systematically faded to less intrusive levels as the learner demonstrates competence.

Question 12: What is the term for the temporary increase in rate, intensity, or variability of a behavior that occurs at the beginning of extinction?

Generalization gradient
Extinction burst (Correct answer)
Spontaneous recovery
Behavioral contrast

Correct answer: Extinction burst

An extinction burst is the initial increase in behavior when reinforcement is first withheld. It represents the learner's increased attempts to obtain the previously available reinforcer.

Question 13: Which of the following scenarios reflects a problem with interobserver agreement (IOA) that an RBT should report to a supervisor?

IOA is calculated at 95% or above
Two observers use the same operational definition
Two observers score the same data sheet identically
One observer records 10 instances and the other records 8 instances (Correct answer)

Correct answer: One observer records 10 instances and the other records 8 instances

Discrepancies between observers (10 vs. 8 occurrences) indicate low IOA, which threatens data reliability and should be reported.

Question 14: A child who mastered identifying shapes at school correctly identifies shapes at home without any specific training there. This documents:

Behavioral contrast between settings
Successful maintenance of a skill over time
Spontaneous recovery of an extinguished behavior
Successful generalization across settings (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Successful generalization across settings

The transfer of a skill from a training setting to a novel, untrained setting represents successful stimulus generalization.

Question 15: When Sandra walks into the house, she is informed that she will not be able to watch television since her father is watching a show. As a result, Sandra draws closer to her father, moaning and tugging at his limbs. Sandra's father eventually permits her to watch television. Sandra's whimpering and tugging behavior has continued for almost a month as a result of this. What hypothetical purpose does Sandra's whining and tugging on her father serve?

Tangibles (Correct answer)
Automatic
Attention
Escape

Correct answer: Tangibles

Sandra is initially denied access to television, which is a tangible item/activity. Her whining and tugging behavior then results in her father allowing her to watch television. This indicates that her behavior is maintained by gaining access to a desired item or activity, which is the definition of the tangibles function.

Question 16: To promote compliance, which antecedent adjustment requires supplying numerous high-probability demands before delivering a low-probability demand?

Choice
Behavioral momentum (Correct answer)
Noncontingent reinforcement
Task modification

Correct answer: Behavioral momentum

Behavioral momentum is an antecedent intervention that involves presenting several high-probability (high-P) requests (tasks the individual is likely to comply with) in quick succession immediately before presenting a low-probability (low-P) request (a task the individual is less likely to comply with). This builds a 'momentum' of compliance, increasing the likelihood that the individual will comply with the subsequent low-P request.

Question 17: During discrete trial training, the period between the learner's response and the delivery of the next SD is called the:

Inter-trial interval (Correct answer)
Intertrial response
Latency period
Response delay

Correct answer: Inter-trial interval

The inter-trial interval (ITI) is the brief pause between the end of one trial (including consequence delivery) and the start of the next SD. It helps the learner discriminate between trials.

Question 18: What does 'least restrictive alternative' mean in the context of crisis intervention?

Using the quickest intervention available regardless of intensity
Choosing the intervention that limits the client's freedom as little as possible while ensuring safety (Correct answer)
Applying the most effective intervention regardless of its restrictiveness
Allowing the behavior to continue without any intervention

Correct answer: Choosing the intervention that limits the client's freedom as little as possible while ensuring safety

The least restrictive alternative principle requires that interventions minimize restrictions on the client's autonomy while still maintaining safety.

Question 19: Which differential reinforcement procedure involves providing reinforcement for a behavior that physically cannot occur simultaneously with the problem behavior?

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA)
Differential Reinforcement of Low rates (DRL)
Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI) (Correct answer)
Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO)

Correct answer: Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI)

DRI specifically targets a behavior that is topographically incompatible with the problem behavior — they cannot occur at the same time. For example, reinforcing hands folded in lap is incompatible with hitting. DRO reinforces any absence of the behavior, and DRA reinforces any alternative without requiring physical incompatibility.

Question 20: ________data uses an open-ended form when gathering ABC data.

Structured
Prefabricated
Narrative (Correct answer)
Questionnaire

Correct answer: Narrative

Narrative ABC data collection involves writing a descriptive, open-ended account of the antecedent (what happened before), behavior (the specific action), and consequence (what happened after) of a target behavior. This method allows for detailed, qualitative descriptions rather than selecting from predefined categories on a structured form.

Question 21: Momentary time sampling (MTS) records whether a behavior is occurring:

Only at the exact moment the interval ends (Correct answer)
During at least half the interval
At any point during the interval
Throughout the entire interval

Correct answer: Only at the exact moment the interval ends

MTS records behavior only at the precise moment the interval ends (or begins), not throughout the interval.

Question 22: Which of the following is the best example of maintaining client dignity during a session?

Using respectful language and avoiding embarrassing the client when errors occur (Correct answer)
Asking other staff to observe the session so they can learn from the client
Correcting every error immediately to ensure fastest skill acquisition
Praising the client loudly in front of others to increase motivation

Correct answer: Using respectful language and avoiding embarrassing the client when errors occur

Treating clients with dignity means using respectful language and ensuring that correction procedures do not cause embarrassment or humiliation.

Question 23: An RBT is approached by a client's teacher who asks for information about the client's ABA program, citing a need to support the child at school. How should the RBT respond?

Refuse entirely, saying ABA information cannot be shared with schools
Tell the teacher to contact the child's parents instead
Direct the teacher to the supervising BCBA, who can facilitate information sharing with appropriate consent (Correct answer)
Share all program details since the teacher works with the same child

Correct answer: Direct the teacher to the supervising BCBA, who can facilitate information sharing with appropriate consent

Information sharing across service providers requires appropriate consent and should be coordinated by the BCBA. RBTs should direct information requests to their supervisor rather than independently sharing or refusing to share clinical information.

Question 24: A supervisor reviews an RBT's data sheet and notices behavior was marked as occurring during every interval of a session. The supervisor suspects the RBT may have engaged in:

Drift (Correct answer)
Systematic data collection
Interobserver agreement
Observer reactivity

Correct answer: Drift

Drift occurs when an observer's recording gradually deviates from the original operational definition, often resulting in inaccurate data over time.

Question 25: The baseline data for a client's parallel play with peers is collected by an RBT. The therapist collects complete interval data during baseline. A YES (i.e., the response occurred) is marked if the client engages in parallel play throughout the whole 10-second interval. The RBT translates partial interval data during intervention. A YES (i.e., the response occurred) is marked if the client interacts in parallel play for at least 1 second during the 10-second time. On the graph, the RBT does not identify the shift in data collection. What's wrong with this method of data collection?

All of the other selections indicate that there are issues with this data. (Correct answer)
If baseline and treatment data are obtained in different ways, we won't be able to compare the two or evaluate the program's performance.
The RBT did not represent. the change in data collection on the graph
Changing methods to artificially boost a client's progress is unethical.

Correct answer: All of the other selections indicate that there are issues with this data.

Changing data collection methods (from whole interval to partial interval) without indicating it on the graph makes the data incomparable and misleading, artificially inflating perceived progress. This violates ethical guidelines for RBTs, as it misrepresents client progress and hinders accurate program evaluation. Therefore, all listed issues are valid concerns regarding this data collection method.

Question 26: When a reinforcer loses its effectiveness because the client has had too much of it in a short period, this is called:

Deprivation
Habituation
Extinction
Satiation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Satiation

Satiation occurs when repeated access to a reinforcer reduces its value as a motivating operation.

Question 27: Which of the following is an example of differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI)?

Reducing the reinforcement rate for problem behavior
Reinforcing the client for any behavior other than hitting
Reinforcing the client for communicating needs verbally
Reinforcing a client for keeping hands in lap when self-injurious face-slapping is the target behavior (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reinforcing a client for keeping hands in lap when self-injurious face-slapping is the target behavior

DRI reinforces a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior — both cannot occur simultaneously. Keeping hands in the lap is incompatible with face-slapping, making it a clear example of DRI.

Question 28: An RBT works on functional communication training across multiple settings and with multiple communication partners. This best illustrates:

Backward chaining applied to communication
Shaping a new communicative topography
Extinction of inappropriate requests
Promoting generalization through varied training conditions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Promoting generalization through varied training conditions

Training across multiple settings and partners is a core strategy for promoting generalization of functional communication skills to natural environments.

Question 29: Which prompting strategy involves the therapist physically guiding the learner's hand through the correct response?

Model prompt
Gestural prompt
Physical prompt (Correct answer)
Positional prompt

Correct answer: Physical prompt

A physical prompt involves the therapist using hand-over-hand or partial physical guidance to help the learner complete the response.

Question 30: What does the term "response latency" mean?

The delay of time between a stimulus and a given response. (Correct answer)
The delay of time between the SD and a reinforcer / punisher.
A trial's length.
The time it takes for a behavior to begin and then stop.

Correct answer: The delay of time between a stimulus and a given response.

Response latency is a temporal dimension of behavior measurement that refers to the time elapsed from the presentation of a stimulus (e.g., an instruction or SD) to the initiation of the target response. It measures how quickly a behavior begins after a cue. For example, if a teacher says "touch nose," latency would be the time until the student starts to move their hand towards their nose.

Question 31: An RBT's family member asks them to share details about a client they work with, out of curiosity. What should the RBT do?

Ask the client's guardian for permission and then share details
Share only the client's first name and diagnosis
Share general information since the family member is not a competitor
Decline to share any client information to protect confidentiality (Correct answer)

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 32: Permanent product recording is most appropriate when the target behavior:

Requires inter-observer agreement to be established first
Occurs so rapidly that direct observation is impossible
Produces a lasting, observable outcome after it has occurred (Correct answer)
Must be measured in real time because it leaves no trace

Correct answer: Produces a lasting, observable outcome after it has occurred

Permanent product recording documents the tangible result left behind by the behavior (e.g., completed worksheets, broken items), allowing measurement even when the behavior itself was not directly observed.

Question 33: An RBT writes objective notes about the session's accomplishments and deficits, any problem behaviors that occurred, and any protocol adjustments that were performed in the last 10 minutes of a client's session. What does the RBT produce?

ABC data
Graphs
Narrative data
Session notes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Session notes

Session notes are the primary documentation RBTs complete after each session, summarizing key information. They typically include objective descriptions of the client's accomplishments and deficits, any problem behaviors that occurred, and any adjustments made to protocols. This record serves as a vital communication tool for the clinical team and for service verification.

Question 34: A BCBA writes a program in which the RBT presents a target item alongside two distractors. As the client achieves mastery, additional distractors are added. What procedure is being described?

Stimulus generalization training
Multiple schedule training
Discrimination training with expanding arrays (Correct answer)
Chaining

Correct answer: Discrimination training with expanding arrays

Discrimination training with expanding arrays involves starting with a small number of stimuli (e.g., one target and two distractors) and gradually increasing the number of distractors as the client demonstrates mastery to build stronger stimulus control.

Question 35: An _____ operation improves the value of a stimulus and the action that has previously been associated with it.

Intermittent
Continuous
Establishing (Correct answer)
Abolishing

Correct answer: Establishing

An establishing operation (EO) is a motivating operation that increases the current effectiveness of a reinforcer. By increasing the value of a stimulus as a reinforcer, it also increases the frequency of all behaviors that have been previously reinforced by that stimulus, making the individual more motivated to obtain it.

Question 36: An RBT is required to receive supervised contact from a BCBA for at least what percentage of hours worked each month?

10%
20%
15%
5% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5%

The BACB requires RBTs to receive at least 5% of hours worked in monthly supervision, with at least one session being individual (face-to-face or telehealth).

Question 37: An RBT is collecting trial-by-trial data during a discrete trial session. What is being recorded?

The duration of each trial
Whether the response on each trial was correct (+) or incorrect (-) (Correct answer)
The inter-trial interval length
How long the session lasted

Correct answer: Whether the response on each trial was correct (+) or incorrect (-)

Trial-by-trial data involves recording the outcome of each individual trial, typically as correct (+) or incorrect (-). This provides a detailed picture of the learner's performance and allows for calculating percentage correct.

Question 38: Which of the following behaviors is the most straightforward to gauge?

Jay’s irritation with putting his clothes away.
Jay getting mad.
Jay yelled “NO.” (Correct answer)
Jay's headache.

Correct answer: Jay yelled “NO.”

To be easily measurable, a behavior must be observable and quantifiable. 'Jay yelled 'NO'' is a discrete, observable event that can be counted (frequency) and timed. In contrast, 'getting mad,' 'headache,' and 'irritation' are internal states or subjective interpretations that are not directly observable or easily measured by an RBT.

Question 39: Which of the following is the LEAST restrictive behavior reduction strategy?

Physical restraint
Response cost
Time-out
Non-contingent reinforcement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Non-contingent reinforcement

Non-contingent reinforcement is an antecedent-based strategy that delivers reinforcement on a time-based schedule independent of behavior, reducing the motivating operation for problem behavior without requiring any aversive consequence. It is considered among the least restrictive strategies available.

Question 40: A student consistently needs a physical prompt to complete a hand-washing task. The RBT begins guiding the wrist instead of the full hand. Which prompting strategy is being used?

Stimulus fading
Prompt delay
Errorless learning with full physical prompt
Graduated guidance (prompt fading within physical prompts) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Graduated guidance (prompt fading within physical prompts)

Graduated guidance involves systematically reducing the intensity of physical prompts (e.g., moving from full hand-over-hand to wrist guidance) to transfer control to the natural discriminative stimulus.

Question 41: Why is it important for an RBT to report unexpected changes in a client's behavior to their supervisor promptly?

So the supervisor can take over the session immediately
Only to comply with paperwork requirements
To avoid being held responsible for the behavior change
Because unexpected behavior changes may indicate medical issues, environmental changes, or the need for treatment modifications (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Because unexpected behavior changes may indicate medical issues, environmental changes, or the need for treatment modifications

Sudden or unexpected changes in behavior can signal medical problems, environmental changes, or that the current treatment is no longer effective. Prompt reporting allows the BCBA to investigate and modify the plan as needed.

Question 42: What should you include in your session notes?

All of the above (Correct answer)
Client's performance on a skill acquisition program
Data on behavioral excesses
Description of new protocols implemented

Correct answer: All of the above

Comprehensive session notes should include all relevant information about the session to provide a clear and accurate record of service delivery. This includes objective data on skill acquisition programs, any behavioral excesses observed, and descriptions of new protocols or adjustments made. This ensures that the clinical team has a complete picture of the client's progress and the interventions implemented.

Question 43: When implementing DRO, what should happen if the problem behavior occurs during the interval?

Deliver reinforcement anyway to avoid frustration
Shorten the interval permanently
Switch to a DRI procedure immediately
Reset the interval timer and withhold reinforcement for that interval (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reset the interval timer and withhold reinforcement for that interval

When the target behavior occurs during a DRO interval, the interval is reset and reinforcement is withheld for that interval. This ensures that reinforcement is only delivered contingent on the absence of the problem behavior for the full interval duration.

Question 44: Which of the following would be a boundary violation for an RBT?

Providing ABA services during scheduled sessions
Attending a required supervision meeting
Babysitting a client's siblings for extra money (Correct answer)
Following data collection procedures as written

Correct answer: Babysitting a client's siblings for extra money

Babysitting for a client's family creates a dual relationship that blurs professional boundaries. The RBT would be acting in both a professional (behavior technician) and personal (babysitter) capacity with the same family, which is an ethical violation.

Question 45: To promote generalization of a dressing chain, what should the RBT do according to the plan?

Practice with different clothing, settings, and people (Correct answer)
Use the same verbal prompt forever
Practice only with one shirt in one room
Teach only in the clinic

Correct answer: Practice with different clothing, settings, and people

Practicing across different materials, settings, and people helps the skill show up outside teaching.

Question 46: Which antecedent raises or diminishes a consequence's value?

SD
Abolishing Operation
Establishing Operation
Motivating Operation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Motivating Operation

A Motivating Operation (MO) is an antecedent event that alters the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher (its value-altering effect) and alters the frequency of behavior that has been reinforced or punished by that consequence (its behavior-altering effect). Therefore, an MO is precisely what raises or diminishes the value of a consequence, making it more or less likely for a behavior to occur.

Question 47: A behavior that is maintained by gaining attention from others is said to be under the control of:

Social positive reinforcement (Correct answer)
Tangible reinforcement
Escape reinforcement
Automatic reinforcement

Correct answer: Social positive reinforcement

Social positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is maintained by the delivery of attention, praise, or interaction from another person. Identifying this function guides the selection of appropriate behavior reduction and replacement strategies.

Question 48: When using frequency recording, the RBT documents:

The intensity level assigned to each behavioral episode
The average duration of each behavioral episode
The proportion of time intervals in which the behavior was present
Each occurrence of the target behavior as it happens during the session (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Each occurrence of the target behavior as it happens during the session

Frequency (or event) recording requires the RBT to tally each individual instance of the target behavior as it occurs, producing a raw count that can later be converted to a rate.

Question 49: An RBT notices that a child uses a skill correctly during therapy but not at home or school. This indicates a problem with:

Shaping procedures
Skill acquisition
Behavioral fluency
Generalization (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Generalization

When a skill is learned in one setting but fails to transfer to other settings or conditions, this represents a failure of generalization.

Question 50: A client is learning to match objects to pictures. The RBT presents three pictures and asks the learner to put the real object with the matching picture. Which type of matching is this?

Non-identical matching (Correct answer)
Tacting
Identical matching
Sorting by category

Correct answer: Non-identical matching

Non-identical matching requires the learner to match stimuli that share the same concept but differ in form (e.g., a real object to a 2D picture of it).

Question 51: A client has a known history of property destruction during transitions. Which strategy BEST reflects crisis prevention?

Removing all objects from the environment during transitions
Implementing a restraint protocol at the start of every transition
Using a visual or auditory cue to warn the client of upcoming transitions (Correct answer)
Conducting transitions abruptly to avoid prolonged exposure

Correct answer: Using a visual or auditory cue to warn the client of upcoming transitions

Warning cues before transitions are an antecedent intervention that helps the client prepare and reduces the likelihood of destructive behavior.

Question 52: When a stimulus is introduced to the environment and causes a decline in behavior over time, what kind of consequential operation takes place?

Negative Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement
Positive Punishment (Correct answer)
Negative Punishment

Correct answer: Positive Punishment

Positive punishment occurs when a stimulus is *added* to the environment (positive) *after* a behavior, and this addition causes a *decrease* in the future likelihood of that behavior (punishment). The question states a stimulus is introduced and causes a decline in behavior, which perfectly matches this definition.

Question 53: An RBT suspects that a client is being abused or neglected at home. What is the FIRST thing the RBT should do?

Report the suspicion to their supervisor and to the appropriate child protective services agency as required by law (Correct answer)
Keep the information confidential until there is clear evidence of abuse
Confront the client's parents about the suspicion during pickup
Document the suspicion in the session note and wait for the BCBA to review it

Correct answer: Report the suspicion to their supervisor and to the appropriate child protective services agency as required by law

RBTs are mandated reporters in most jurisdictions and must report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Waiting for more evidence or only notifying a supervisor is insufficient — mandatory reporting laws require direct reporting.

Question 54: Using ABC data, a therapist has discovered hypothetical functions of attention and escape for physical aggressiveness. What kind of evaluation did the therapist conduct?

Skill acquisition assessment
Preference assessment
Indirect assessment
Functional assessment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Functional assessment

Identifying hypothetical functions (such as attention, escape, access to tangibles, or automatic reinforcement) for a problem behavior is the core objective of a functional assessment. By analyzing ABC data, a therapist forms hypotheses about *why* a behavior occurs, which is essential for designing effective and function-based interventions.

Question 55: Which reinforcement schedule produces the highest resistance to extinction?

Variable ratio (VR) (Correct answer)
Fixed interval (FI)
Fixed ratio (FR)
Continuous reinforcement (CRF)

Correct answer: Variable ratio (VR)

Variable ratio (VR) schedules produce the highest resistance to extinction because the unpredictability of reinforcement delivery keeps the learner responding at high rates. Slot machines are a classic example of VR schedules.

Question 56: A client reaches for a toy, and the RBT immediately provides a full verbal model, "Say 'train,'" every time. Over time, what should the RBT do to promote independence?

Stop reinforcing all responses
Switch to only edible reinforcers
Fade prompts systematically as directed in the plan (Correct answer)
Continue full prompting indefinitely

Correct answer: Fade prompts systematically as directed in the plan

Prompts should be faded to avoid prompt dependency and encourage spontaneous responding.

Question 57: A client earns stickers throughout the day and loses two stickers each time they engage in aggression. This intervention is an example of:

Response cost (Correct answer)
Extinction
Time-out from positive reinforcement
Overcorrection

Correct answer: Response cost

Response cost is a negative punishment procedure in which a specified amount of a conditioned reinforcer (such as tokens or stickers) is removed contingent on the occurrence of a problem behavior.

Question 58: Why should RBTs maintain a professional and objective demeanor when preparing session notes and other service documentation?

Session notes are used to determine the effectiveness of an intervention
Only other RBTs working on the client's case have access to the session notes.
Funding agencies may review this documentation to verify services (Correct answer)
Session notes are only seen by the client's BCBA, so they should be professional because the supervisor will look over them.

Correct answer: Funding agencies may review this documentation to verify services

RBTs must maintain a professional and objective demeanor in documentation because session notes are critical legal and clinical documents. They are often reviewed by funding agencies, such as insurance companies or regional centers, to verify that services were provided as billed and that interventions are effective and justified. Professional, objective notes ensure accountability and support the continuation of services.

Question 59: A supervisor asks an RBT to graph the session data they collected over the past two weeks. The RBT notices that two data points appear inconsistent with the rest of the trend. What should the RBT do?

Graph all data points as recorded and bring the inconsistencies to the supervisor's attention (Correct answer)
Average the outliers into surrounding data points to smooth the graph
Only graph the most recent week of data to avoid confusion
Remove the outlier data points before graphing so the trend is clear

Correct answer: Graph all data points as recorded and bring the inconsistencies to the supervisor's attention

All collected data must be graphed as recorded. Removing, averaging, or omitting data points misrepresents the client's actual performance and can lead to flawed clinical decisions. The appropriate action is to graph everything accurately and flag any concerns to the supervisor.

Question 60: Which term describes consistency between a written behavior program and how it is actually implemented?

Generalization
Interobserver agreement
Social validity
Treatment integrity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Treatment integrity

Treatment integrity (also called procedural fidelity) refers to the degree to which a treatment is implemented as planned and described in the behavior support plan. High treatment integrity is essential for valid data interpretation and effective outcomes.

Question 61: An RBT is teaching receptive identification of animals. The learner consistently selects 'dog' correctly when it is the only picture on the table. To build a true discrimination, the RBT should:

Add distractor stimuli so the learner must choose among multiple options (Correct answer)
Increase reinforcement size for correct responses
Remove the picture and use verbal-only instructions
Lengthen the inter-trial interval

Correct answer: Add distractor stimuli so the learner must choose among multiple options

A true receptive discrimination requires the learner to select the target from among distractor stimuli, demonstrating they are responding to the specific stimulus rather than guessing.

Question 62: Constant time delay usually starts with 0-second trials and then moves to:

A delay that grows by 1 second each trial
No prompts at all right away
A fixed delay, such as 4 seconds, for all later trials (Correct answer)
Full physical prompts

Correct answer: A fixed delay, such as 4 seconds, for all later trials

Constant time delay moves from 0-second trials to one fixed delay length that stays the same.

Question 63: Response cost is BEST defined as:

Removing a specified amount of a conditioned reinforcer contingent on problem behavior (Correct answer)
Adding a mildly aversive stimulus after problem behavior occurs
Blocking a response before it can be completed
Removing access to the environment for a brief period after problem behavior

Correct answer: Removing a specified amount of a conditioned reinforcer contingent on problem behavior

Response cost involves taking away a set quantity of tokens or points following a target behavior, functioning as negative punishment.

Question 64: An RBT records data on a client's tantrum behavior using whole interval recording. What does this method MOST likely do to frequency estimates?

Overestimate the behavior
Have no effect on accuracy
Underestimate the behavior (Correct answer)
Provide an exact count of occurrences

Correct answer: Underestimate the behavior

Whole interval recording only marks a behavior if it occurs throughout the entire interval, so brief or intermittent behaviors are often missed, leading to underestimates.

Question 65: What does a behavior plan NOT include?

Target behaviors you are trying to eliminate or decrease.
Antecedents that may be occurring before the behavior.
How the child feels when the behavior is occurring. (Correct answer)
Antecedent Interventions.

Correct answer: How the child feels when the behavior is occurring.

A behavior plan focuses on observable and measurable behaviors, their environmental antecedents, and consequences, along with specific interventions. While a child's feelings might influence behavior, they are internal states that are not directly observable or measurable in the same objective way as behavior itself. Therefore, a behavior plan does not typically include subjective statements about how a child 'feels'.

Question 66: Behavioral momentum refers to the technique of:

Increasing the speed of reinforcement delivery
Delivering reinforcement on a variable-ratio schedule
Presenting a series of high-probability requests before a low-probability request to increase compliance (Correct answer)
Gradually increasing task difficulty without pausing

Correct answer: Presenting a series of high-probability requests before a low-probability request to increase compliance

Behavioral momentum uses a series of easy, high-probability (high-p) requests to build compliance before presenting a more difficult low-probability (low-p) request. This increases the likelihood the client will comply with the low-p request and can reduce escape-maintained problem behavior.

Question 67: Which of the following BEST describes differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)?

Reinforcing a specific appropriate behavior that serves as an alternative to the problem behavior (Correct answer)
Reinforcing any behavior other than the target problem behavior
Withholding reinforcement for all behaviors during a set time interval
Providing reinforcement on a fixed schedule regardless of behavior

Correct answer: Reinforcing a specific appropriate behavior that serves as an alternative to the problem behavior

DRA specifically reinforces a designated alternative behavior that replaces the problem behavior, unlike DRO which reinforces the absence of any problem behavior.

Question 68: Which motivating operation (MO) makes a reinforcer more valuable and increases behavior that has produced that reinforcer?

Establishing operation (Correct answer)
Abolishing operation
Punisher
Discriminative stimulus

Correct answer: Establishing operation

An establishing operation (EO) increases the reinforcing effectiveness of a stimulus and increases relevant behavior.

Question 69: ABC data on physical violence is collected by a therapist. Which of the following items should not be included?

Hypothetical Function: Control (Correct answer)
Consequence: Parent stepped away from the client then left the bathroom
Behavior: Client hit parent in stomach area 3 times with open hands
Antecedent: Parent asked client to brush his teeth

Correct answer: Hypothetical Function: Control

ABC data collection focuses on observable and measurable events: the Antecedent (what happened immediately before), the Behavior (the specific action), and the Consequence (what happened immediately after). A "hypothetical function" like 'Control' is an inference or an educated guess about *why* the behavior occurs, not an observable event that is part of the ABC sequence itself. Therefore, it should not be included as a direct ABC data point.

Question 70: Karla is an RBT who is gathering baseline data on Jack's ability to wash his hands accurately. Kristen observes Jack's reactions when he uses the restroom. She marks a + (correct) or a - (incorrect) for each hand washing component (e.g., turns on faucet, places hands under water, obtains soap, rubs hands, etc.). Karla records the data and continues to observe without intervening if Jack responds incorrectly. They exit the bathroom after she gathers the data across all steps, and she gives the data to the BCBA. What's the harm in gathering baseline data this way?

When Jack gave an inaccurate response, Karla should have given prompts.
Karla should have given each correct a reinforcer. response
There's nothing wrong with gathering baseline data in this way. (Correct answer)
Karla should maintain the data instead of handing it to the BCBA and design a hand-washing program. She should then put it into practice with the client.

Correct answer: There's nothing wrong with gathering baseline data in this way.

This method accurately describes how to collect baseline data for a chained skill like handwashing. Karla is observing the client's independent performance on each step of the task analysis without providing prompts or reinforcement. This allows the BCBA to accurately identify which steps the client can perform independently and which require instruction, making it a valid baseline assessment.

Question 71: RBT Sherly is working at the residence of one of her clients. His parent approaches Shellie as she is working with the youngster and asks if she can assist him in introducing a new objective to his child. The dad desires to encourage his child to try new meals. The case supervisor has NOT had a conversation about this. Sherly ought to ___.

Not agree to work on the goal at all but provide referrals to get help in that situation.
Agree because you want the child to succeed with eating new things.
Not agree to work on the goal since it has not been discussed with the BCBA first and tell parents that they should talk with the BCBA. (Correct answer)
Agree to work on this during her time with the child because it is important to the parents.

Correct answer: Not agree to work on the goal since it has not been discussed with the BCBA first and tell parents that they should talk with the BCBA.

RBTs must always work under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). They are not authorized to independently add or modify client goals without prior discussion and approval from their supervisor. Therefore, Sherly must inform the parents to discuss any new objectives with the BCBA to ensure the treatment plan remains ethical and effective.

Question 72: A BCBA asks an RBT to measure how long it takes a client to begin a task after the instruction is delivered. Which measure should the RBT use?

Latency (Correct answer)
Inter-response time
Duration
Frequency

Correct answer: Latency

Latency measures the time between the presentation of a stimulus (instruction) and the onset of a response.

Question 73: An RBT is asked to sign a document stating that supervision occurred when it did not. The RBT should:

Sign it and note their objection on a separate personal log
Sign it to avoid conflict with their employer
Sign it only if they trust their supervisor's judgment
Refuse to sign the falsified record and report the request to appropriate authorities (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Refuse to sign the falsified record and report the request to appropriate authorities

Falsifying records is an ethical and legal violation; RBTs must refuse and report such requests through appropriate channels.

Question 74: An RBT gives a client only a few puzzle pieces at a time so the client must ask for more. What is the main purpose?

To reduce the client's reinforcement
To end the activity faster
To increase the number of natural manding opportunities (Correct answer)
To teach the client to wait without asking

Correct answer: To increase the number of natural manding opportunities

Delivering items in small portions creates repeated opportunities to request more.

Question 75: An RBT receives a gift from a grateful parent at the end of a successful program. What should the RBT do?

Accept the gift since it was given voluntarily
Donate the gift to the organization on the client's behalf
Accept the gift but report it to the BCBA afterward
Decline the gift and consult the organization's gift policy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Decline the gift and consult the organization's gift policy

Accepting gifts can create dual relationships; RBTs should follow organizational policy and typically decline gifts.

Question 76: According to the BACB Ethics Code, an RBT must practice under the close, ongoing supervision of:

Another RBT
A teacher
A BCBA, BCaBA, or other qualified supervisor (Correct answer)
A parent of the client

Correct answer: A BCBA, BCaBA, or other qualified supervisor

RBTs must practice under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA, BCaBA, or another qualified supervisor as defined by the BACB. The supervisor is responsible for overseeing the RBT's work and ensuring proper implementation of services.

Question 77: When deciding which mands to teach, what should you do?

None of the above
After each mand, teach them to say "please."
Determine what inspires your student by doing a preference assessment. (Correct answer)
Because it is distracting to other children, you should not choose food items.

Correct answer: Determine what inspires your student by doing a preference assessment.

When teaching mands (requests), it is crucial to identify items or activities that are highly motivating for the student. A preference assessment systematically determines what a student desires, ensuring that the mands taught are functional and will be naturally reinforced when the student uses them. This increases the likelihood of the student spontaneously using their newly acquired communication skills.

Question 78: When graphing behavioral data, the vertical axis (y-axis) typically represents:

The dimension of behavior being measured (e.g., frequency, percentage) (Correct answer)
The type of reinforcer used
Sessions or dates
The name of the client

Correct answer: The dimension of behavior being measured (e.g., frequency, percentage)

The y-axis displays the measured dimension of behavior (dependent variable), while the x-axis represents time (sessions, dates).

Question 79: Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship that an RBT must avoid?

Greeting a client warmly at the start of each session
Collecting ABC data during school-based sessions
Using preferred items identified by the BCBA as reinforcers
Babysitting a client's sibling for pay outside of work (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Babysitting a client's sibling for pay outside of work

Engaging in personal or financial relationships with a client's family outside of the professional role constitutes a dual relationship and must be avoided.

Question 80: If a child throws tantrums in stores because his or her parent has a history of buying him or her toys after a tantrum, the tantrum is maintained by .

Social positive reinforcement (Correct answer)
Automatic negative reinfbrcement
Automatic positive reintercement
Social negative reinforcement

Correct answer: Social positive reinforcement

Social positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by the addition of a desirable stimulus delivered by another person, which increases the future likelihood of that behavior. In this case, the child's tantrum (behavior) is followed by the parent buying a toy (addition of a desirable stimulus, mediated by another person), which maintains the tantrum behavior in the future.

Question 81: A client earns a token after every 4 correct responses, regardless of how much time has passed. This schedule of reinforcement is:

Variable ratio (VR-4)
Fixed ratio (FR-4) (Correct answer)
Variable interval (VI-4)
Fixed interval (FI-4)

Correct answer: Fixed ratio (FR-4)

A fixed ratio (FR) schedule delivers reinforcement after a set, predictable number of responses. FR-4 means the client must emit exactly 4 correct responses to earn each reinforcer.

Question 82: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a stimulus preference assessment?

To identify items that may function as reinforcers (Correct answer)
To measure baseline rates of target behaviors
To determine appropriate punishment procedures
To diagnose a client's behavioral disorder

Correct answer: To identify items that may function as reinforcers

Stimulus preference assessments identify items or activities a client prefers, which may then be tested as potential reinforcers.

Question 83: Duration recording is most appropriate for measuring:

How many times a behavior occurs
The time between the SD and the response
How long a behavior lasts from start to finish (Correct answer)
The percentage of correct trials

Correct answer: How long a behavior lasts from start to finish

Duration recording measures the total amount of time a behavior lasts from onset to offset. It is most appropriate when the concern is how long a behavior continues, such as time spent on task, duration of tantrums, or time engaged in play.

Question 84: Time-out from positive reinforcement is classified as which type of procedure?

Negative reinforcement
Negative punishment (Correct answer)
Positive punishment
Extinction

Correct answer: Negative punishment

Time-out removes access to positive reinforcers contingent on behavior, which classifies it as negative punishment.

Question 85: A client's insurance company contacts you directly asking for session notes. What should you do?

Provide the notes since insurance has a right to them
Refer the request to your supervisor or the appropriate administrative staff (Correct answer)
Ask the parent for permission and then send the notes
Decline the request entirely since notes are confidential

Correct answer: Refer the request to your supervisor or the appropriate administrative staff

RBTs should refer any requests for records or documentation to their supervisor or administrative staff rather than releasing information independently.

Question 86: At the end of a session, an RBT must complete a session note but is unsure about the exact number of correct responses the client made because they lost track. The RBT should:

Record zero to avoid inflating the data
Leave that field blank and notify the supervising BCBA of the missing data (Correct answer)
Estimate the number and record it without any notation
Ask the client how many correct responses they made

Correct answer: Leave that field blank and notify the supervising BCBA of the missing data

When data is missing or uncertain, the correct action is to leave the field blank and inform the supervising BCBA. Recording an estimate without notation, asking the client, or defaulting to zero all compromise data accuracy and clinical decision-making.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certification Exam

The RBT certification exam assesses the knowledge and skills required to implement behavior-analytic services under the supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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