Free RBT Practice

Get Ready for the 2026 RBT Exam Changes: What You Need to Know

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is dedicated to ensuring that its certifications reflect the most current and relevant standards of practice. As part of this commitment, the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam is undergoing a significant update. Beginning January 1, 2026, the RBT exam will transition from the RBT Task List (2nd ed.) to the new RBT Test Content Outline (3rd Edition).

While the core responsibilities of an RBT remain the same, this change reorganizes and refines the content areas tested on the exam. If you plan to take your exam in 2026 or beyond, it's crucial to understand these changes.

What's Changing? The New Domain Structure

The most significant change is the restructuring of the content domains. The current six domains of the RBT Task List (2nd ed.) will be replaced by a new six-domain structure in the 3rd Edition Content Outline.

Here’s a comparison of the old structure versus the new one:

Current RBT Task List (2nd ed.) Domains:

  • A. Measurement
  • B. Assessment
  • C. Skill Acquisition
  • D. Behavior Reduction
  • E. Documentation and Reporting
  • F. Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

New RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.) Domains (Effective 2026):

  • Domain A: Data Collection and Graphing (17%)
  • Domain B: Behavior Assessment (11%)
  • Domain C: Behavior Acquisition (25%)
  • Domain D: Behavior Reduction (19%)
  • Domain E: Documentation and Reporting (13%)
  • Domain F: Ethics (15%)

Key Shifts in Content and Emphasis

While many of the core tasks remain, there are some notable shifts in emphasis:

  • Graphing is Explicitly Added: Domain A is now "Data Collection and Graphing," highlighting the importance of not just collecting data but also being able to visually represent it.
  • Ethics has its own Domain: The previous "Professional Conduct" domain is now more explicitly focused on "Ethics," emphasizing the critical importance of ethical considerations in the RBT role.
  • Slight Weighting Changes: The percentages have been adjusted slightly. For example, Behavior Reduction and Ethics have a slightly higher weight, while other areas are adjusted accordingly.

What Does This Mean for You?

  • If you are testing BEFORE January 1, 2026: You should continue to study using the RBT Task List (2nd ed.). All our current materials are aligned with this version.
  • If you are planning to test ON or AFTER January 1, 2026: You will need to ensure your study materials are aligned with the new RBT Test Content Outline (3rd Edition).

How We're Preparing

At Free RBT Practice, we are committed to providing the most up-to-date study materials. We are already working to update our question banks, study guides, and mock exams to align with the 3rd Edition Content Outline. Our updated materials will be available well in advance of the 2026 changeover to ensure you have everything you need to prepare with confidence.

Stay ahead of the curve! Bookmark this page and check back for updates as we roll out our new 2026-aligned content. For now, continue to master the fundamentals with our current RBT Study Guide.