If you already care for children, particularly those with autism or other developmental disabilities, getting certified as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) could be a natural next step. As an RBT, you can enhance your job prospects as a nanny or become the primary paraprofessional who delivers applied behavior analysis (ABA) services in various settings, such as homes, clinics and schools.
“The RBT certification teaches you how to communicate with somebody who doesn’t communicate the same way that you do,” explains Tara Zeller, a Florida-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and founder of the leadership development company, AppleTree Connection. “If you can understand why behavior happens, then you can understand how to help the child you’re caring for and how to help the parents that you’re serving get better interaction with their child.”
Read on to learn how this certification can help you formalize your skills, increase your earning potential and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for.
What is a Registered Behavior Technician?
RBTs are paraprofessionals who work directly under the supervision of a BCBA to provide support for individuals with behavioral challenges. As an RBT, your role involves a range of important tasks that directly impact the lives of clients, particularly those with autism or other developmental disabilities.
Many of the skills nannies hone in child care — such as patience, communication and working one-on-one with children — are foundational in work as an RBT. You’ll continue building on these skills, with the added benefit of learning new strategies based on the principles of ABA. Here are some of the key responsibilities you’ll take on:
- Work one-on-one with clients. You’ll do this in various settings such as homes, clinics and schools, just like the personalized care you provide as a nanny.
- Implement behavior plans under the supervision of a BCBA. As a nanny, you may have already been part of creating routines or behavior strategies for a child in your care; as an RBT, you’ll be trained to follow specific ABA techniques to support your clients’ goals.
- Encourage developmentally appropriate behaviors. You’ll help clients develop new behaviors and skills essential for their growth and daily living — similar to helping a child you’re nannying to reach new milestones.
- Build communication and social skills. Just as you’ve supported children in learning how to communicate and interact, you’ll now use ABA methods to enhance interactions and support overall development.
- Collect data on client progress. You’ll use software and apps on iPads or phones or manual tracking to monitor improvements.
- Assist with daily tasks. This includes dressing, eating, toileting and transitioning between activities to promote independence. These tasks are often part of nannying and will align well with helping clients develop the skills they need for independent living.
What does a behavior technician do? The variety of roles for RBTs
As an RBT, you can provide behavioral assistance to a wide range of clients, with the primary difference being the age group you work with. RBTs support clients across many stages of life, including children, teenagers, young adults and the elderly.
If you’d like to stay working as a nanny or return to it after getting your RBT certification, there are also plenty of families looking for this level of specialized care for their child. For this reason, it’s not uncommon to see “RBT certification a plus” mentioned in nanny job postings.
Hannah Martin, who began her career as a clinic-based RBT during her sophomore year of college, shares her experience: “I specifically assisted children with special needs between the ages of 4 and 7, but not every RBT serves children with special needs,” she says. Now in graduate school, Martin plans to become a BCBA and describes the profession as “a financially stable career path that’s in high demand.”
“I’ve never really been out of work in this field and love helping people.”
— Carol Potter, BCBA
The benefits of becoming an RBT
Becoming an RBT not only allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives, but it also comes with numerous professional benefits that make it an attractive career path.
Professional recognition
“A board certification that can be acquired right out of high school is impressive,” says Tara Zeller, who also holds a master’s degree in human resources management. “You can start earning a nice salary while you decide on the rest of your career path.”
Carol Potter, a BCBA from Detroit, who employs RBTs at her behavioral health agency, Cygnus Consulting, agrees: “I know when I talk with an RBT, they’ll understand certain terminology and how to interpret my notes,” she says. “When I write up behavior intervention plans with all of the abbreviations, they’ll be able to read it — as opposed to an uncertified behavioral technician who I may need to spend more time training.”
Job security
Working in behavioral health offers a higher degree of job stability. “I’ve never really been out of work in this field and love helping people,” says Potter.
Many RBT positions also come with comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, paid time off and professional development opportunities, making it a more reliable career choice than other caregiving roles.
The increasing reliance on RBTs has also sparked policy proposals designed to expand their reach and impact. For example, New Jersey’s proposed Bill S1575 sought to require RBT certification for teachers and paraprofessionals working with students with autism in public schools. While the bill did not pass, it highlighted the growing importance of specialized behavioral training.
Increased earning potential
As an RBT, your earning potential can be quite appealing. According to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for RBTs in the United States is $47,079, which is among the highest for paraprofessionals.
Salaries can vary based on geographic location, with RBTs in large metropolitan areas often earning more than the national average, while those in rural regions may earn less. Potter recalls: “My niece saw that if she became an RBT, she could make about $20 per hour. For a 19-year-old, that’s not bad — and it’s better than minimum wage.”
Researching potential opportunities is key to finding a position that aligns with your financial goals.
Schedule flexibility
Research conducted in 2023 among RBTs in Florida shows that flexible scheduling is considered one of the job’s best features.
Many companies offer both full-time and part-time options with hours that include early mornings, late afternoons, evenings and weekends. This flexibility is especially beneficial for students or those seeking a balance between work and other commitments.
How to become a Registered Behavior Technician
To become a certified RBT, you’ll need a high school diploma (or equivalent) and to be at least 18 years old. Many professionals, like Martin, pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fields such as psychology, education or behavioral science while working as an RBT.
Regardless of your educational background, the process to become an RBT involves three key steps:
Step 1: Complete a 40-hour ABA training program
This training prepares you for the RBT certification exam and teaches you how to implement behavioral programs. Most people complete the training in one to two weeks, depending on their schedule. The BACB lists approved online and self-paced training programs on its website.
“See if those programs have a lot of people who’ve graduated from them,” advises Potter. “You can reach out to training programs and ask for their pass rates on the RBT exam — look for a program with a pass rate of 80% or higher.”
Zeller, who is also the creator of the Empowered RBTs training program, emphasizes the importance of curriculum: “Find a program that covers the fundamentals of behavior analysis; this will help you understand how behavior functions and how your actions influence the clients you work with.”
Step 2: Pass the competency assessment
Once you’ve completed training, the next step is a hands-on evaluation by a BCBA to assess your ability to apply ABA principles in real-world settings. This can be a challenging part of the process, depending on your location.
Zeller suggests networking with other RBTs for support: “Join LinkedIn groups like RBT Connection or local groups. They can offer advice and share their experiences. If you get lucky enough to be trained by a BCBA who can teach you how to practice ABA and not just ‘know the terminology,’ you can use the science anywhere with anyone.”
“Find a program that covers the fundamentals of behavior analysis; this will help you understand how behavior functions and how your actions influence the clients you work with.”
—Tara Zeller, BCBA
Step 3: Pass the BACB certification exam.
The final step is passing the RBT exam, which consists of 85 questions assessing your knowledge of ABA principles and ethical guidelines. “Make sure to study thoroughly for the exam,” advises Amanda Sichelski of Illinois, who transitioned from nannying a preschooler with autism to an RBT career. “The exam was harder than I expected.”
As of September 1, 2023, the exam is only available in person at a designated Pearson VUE testing center and must be completed within 90 minutes. The BACB reportedly made this change to improve exam security.
Registered Behavior Technician certification costs
The total cost for RBT certification — including training, background checks and the exam — typically ranges from $200 to $500. Many ABA clinics offer to cover or subsidize these costs as part of their onboarding process; be sure to understand any conditions attached.
“If a company covers your training, they may expect you to stay longer,” says Potter. “Make sure you know whether you’re required to stay with the company for a set period, whether you’ll need to reimburse them if you leave early or if you’ll receive a pay increase once certified.”
Keep in mind that ongoing supervision and professional development are required to maintain your certification. This can come at an additional cost, though some employers may cover some or all of it. Starting in 2026, the recertification cycle for RBTs will shift to every two years, with a requirement of 12 hours of in-service training, continuing education or university coursework.
RBTs in high demand: Job shortages and opportunities
As of January 2025, data from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) shows there are only 196,579 certified RBTs, yet reports indicate that over 300,000 more are needed to address the growing demand. This shortage is particularly critical for children awaiting ABA therapy, but it extends beyond just pediatric care to adolescent and adult services as well.
A study published in the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice puts the shortage into perspective: 1 in 4 counties in the United States have no RBTs or BCBAs. These “no-provider” counties are scattered across the country, with notable concentrations in the southeast and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky.
The shortage of RBTs is also reflected in the types of jobs available. “Right now, if you go to look for a job and type in ‘registered behavior technician,’ most of the jobs you’re going to find are in [the] autism space,” explains Zeller. “We’ve been boxed in due to insurance reimbursement requirements.”
Many roles, she says, won’t specifically have ‘RBT’ in the job title but will seek candidates with behavior analysis experience. “RBTs can also find jobs in education and group homes,” Zeller says. “If you want to branch out further, you’ll need to base your job search on your skill set.”
A final word on RBT certification
A career as an RBT is incredibly rewarding, especially for those passionate about helping others and making a lasting impact. It offers greater stability and benefits compared to many private caregiving positions, while building on many of the important skills required to be a nanny or child care provider.
“Like any job, there are good and bad companies,” says Potter. “If you feel unappreciated in your role as an RBT, it’s okay to explore other opportunities — just don’t leave the field entirely.”
