RBT Professional Conduct and Scope 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A new RBT is unsure how to handle a challenging behavior they have not encountered before. What should they do first?
- Consult with the supervising BCBA before attempting any intervention (Correct answer)
- Try a strategy that worked with a previous client
- Research behavior strategies online and apply the most reviewed one
- Ask the client's parent what has worked at home
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 2: Which of the following describes an ethical obligation of an RBT regarding their competence?
- Only provide services they are trained and competent to deliver (Correct answer)
- Expand services offered as they gain more experience without formal authorization
- Decline all new skill areas to avoid making mistakes
- Determine their own competence based on self-assessment alone
Correct answer: Only provide services they are trained and competent to deliver
RBTs must practice within the boundaries of their training and competence, and not expand services without proper authorization and supervision.
Question 3: An RBT overhears a coworker discussing a client's personal details in a public break room. The RBT should:
- Remind the coworker that client information is confidential and should not be shared publicly (Correct answer)
- Join the conversation to offer additional clinical observations
- Report the coworker to the client's family directly
- Ignore the situation since it does not involve their own client
Correct answer: Remind the coworker that client information is confidential and should not be shared publicly
RBTs have an obligation to uphold confidentiality standards and should address breaches they observe, including by coworkers.
Question 4: 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)
- Whenever the family requests it to make scheduling easier
- Only if the client has been receiving services for more than six months
- When the BCBA is unavailable and an emergency arises
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 5: What is the primary purpose of the RBT supervision requirement?
- To ensure quality of services and ongoing professional development of the RBT (Correct answer)
- To reduce the liability of the employing organization
- To allow the BCBA to observe the RBT for performance review purposes only
- To fulfill a legal billing requirement for insurance reimbursement
Correct answer: To ensure quality of services and ongoing professional development of the RBT
Supervision is designed to maintain service quality and support the RBT's growth as a practitioner, ultimately protecting client outcomes.
Question 6: An RBT is asked to sign a document stating that supervision occurred when it did not. The RBT should:
- Refuse to sign the falsified record and report the request to appropriate authorities (Correct answer)
- Sign it to avoid conflict with their employer
- Sign it only if they trust their supervisor's judgment
- Sign it and note their objection on a separate personal log
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 7: 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)
- Praising the client loudly in front of others to increase motivation
- Correcting every error immediately to ensure fastest skill acquisition
- Asking other staff to observe the session so they can learn from the client
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.
RBT Professional Conduct and Scope 5
A new RBT is unsure how to handle a challenging behavior they have not encountered before.
What should they do first?