The RBT Ethics Code has three sections: general responsibilities, responsibilities in providing services, and responsibilities to the BACB and your supervisor. Together they require honesty, working within your certified scope, and protecting clients.
Example
An RBT is asked by a parent to babysit outside of sessions for extra money. Accepting creates a multiple relationship that could affect objectivity, so the ethics code requires declining or disclosing it to the supervisor.
Key points
- General responsibilities: practice honestly, stay within your scope, maintain competence, and avoid inappropriate gifts or multiple relationships.
- Providing services: put client welfare first, implement the plan as written, protect confidentiality, and never share identifying client details on social media.
- Responsibilities to the BACB: report legal charges or disciplinary actions within 30 days, and pass along official BACB notices to your supervisor promptly.
Common mistake
Assuming ethics only means confidentiality. The code also covers scope of practice, supervision, and self-reporting requirements to the BACB.
Quick check
An RBT is offered $50 to skip a data collection step a caregiver finds annoying. What’s the ethical response? Decline, and inform the supervisor.
Keep studying
RBT scope of competence · Supervision requirements · RBT glossary
Independent study resource, not affiliated with the BACB or Pearson VUE.