What has changed with the BACB Certification updates for 2023?
Effective January 1, 2023 the BACB will no longer certify initial certification applications from individuals outside of the U.S. and Canada. Individuals certified prior to January 1, 2023 will continue their certification through the BACB.
Below are FAQs regarding the BACB upcoming changes. As always, please refer to the BACB for additional questions regarding these changes.
Who will be affected by the 2023 BACB certification changes?
The BCBA and RBT certification changes that occur on January 1, 2023, will affect new certification applicants and currently certified individuals, supervisors, trainers, and faculty members who live outside of:
- The United States
- Canada
- Australia
- United Kingdom
Individuals who physically live in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK will not be impacted.
I do not live in an authorized country. Can I complete my current BCBA or RBT certification process?
No, you will not be able to complete your BCBA or RBT certification. All examinations for individuals outside the authorized countries expire on January 1, 2023. After this date, testing centers outside the authorized countries will not offer the certification exams in-person or remotely.
Can I travel to an authorized country and complete the BCBA or RBT certification process?
No, you cannot travel to a location to complete the BCBA or RBT certification. To obtain a certification in an authorized country, the individual must be a resident of that country.
Can I receive remote BCBA supervision from a supervisor who lives in an unauthorized country?
Yes – you can still obtain remote BCBA supervision from supervision in countries outside the authorized country list if the supervision meets all the requirements. Supervisors residing in countries outside the authorized list may still provide supervision to individuals who live inside and outside the authorized country list if the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts is followed to ensure effective supervision.
Will BCBA and RBT certifications obtained in an unauthorized country before January 1, 2023 remain valid?
Yes, your certification will still be valid. However, when you refer to your certification, you must use the following disclaimer: “Full Name, Certification Level (The BACB is no longer issuing certifications in [Country]). The field of ABA is growing, and with that, there will be changes to rules and regulations. When in doubt, please get in touch with the BACB for the latest information.