Questions about scope, ethics, and communication frequently arise on the RBT exam.
This section reviews the professional expectations of an RBT so you can feel confident answering questions about ethical conduct, appropriate interactions, and what’s within your job responsibilities.
F-1: Describe the Role of the RBT in the Service Delivery System
As an RBT, your primary responsibility is to implement behavior-analytic services that have been planned by your supervisor, such as a BCBA.
You do not design interventions, create goals, or analyze data for decision-making. Instead, your focus is on carrying out programs with fidelity, collecting accurate data, and communicating observations effectively.
If you ever feel unsure whether a task is part of your role, it’s important to pause and consult your supervisor.
Staying within your scope protects the integrity of the client’s treatment and helps maintain ethical standards within your practice.
You are responsible for:
- Delivering skill-acquisition and behavior-reduction procedures
- Collecting and recording data on target behaviors
- Assisting with assessments as directed
- Reporting progress or concerns to your supervisor
Outside your role:
- Design behavior intervention plans
- Make program changes
- Interpret data or assessments
- Give independent recommendations to families or teachers
Understanding your scope of practice helps protect clients and ensures ethical service delivery.
F-2: Respond Appropriately to Feedback and Maintain or Improve Performance
Feedback is a central part of your role as an RBT. Supervisors will regularly observe your sessions and offer corrective guidance or praise to help you improve. The way you respond to this feedback matters.
Even when corrections are made, your job is to stay receptive and willing to adjust. Implement changes as directed, ask clarifying questions when needed, and view feedback as a tool for growth rather than criticism.
You are expected to:
- Accept feedback professionally
- Apply the feedback in future sessions
- Ask questions if you’re unclear
- View feedback as a tool for growth, not criticism
Example:
If your supervisor says you’re delivering prompts too quickly, you should thank them, adjust your timing, and monitor your improvement.
Growth as an RBT comes from consistently applying feedback, not just hearing it.
F-3: Communicate with Stakeholders as Authorized
Stakeholders include parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, or anyone involved in the client’s care, but your communication must follow clear boundaries.
As an RBT, you may:
- Share session updates (if your supervisor allows)
- Answer basic questions about what happened during a session
- Redirect more complex or clinical questions to your supervisor
You may not:
- Discuss diagnosis, goals, or progress unless instructed
- Give treatment advice or changes
- Speak outside your scope or share confidential info
When in doubt, say:
“That’s a great question — I’ll pass it along to your BCBA.”
F-4: Maintain Professional Boundaries
Boundaries help protect the integrity of the professional relationship and avoid conflicts of interest.
As an RBT, you must avoid:
- Dual relationships (e.g., being friends with a client’s family)
- Social media contact with clients or family
- Accepting gifts, favors, or money
- Sharing personal information about your life or beliefs
Keep interactions:
- Polite and respectful
- Strictly professional
- Focused on client goals and procedures
Boundaries are especially important in in-home or community settings, where personal lines can easily blur.
F-5: Maintain Client Dignity
Every client deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This includes using appropriate language, protecting privacy, offering choices when possible, and avoiding actions that might embarrass or devalue the client.
You might work with individuals who display challenging behaviors, but those challenges should never affect how you speak to or about the client.
Ensuring dignity also means being mindful of tone, body language, and how you involve the client in their own learning experience.
F-6: Follow the RBT Ethical Code
All RBTs must adhere to the RBT Ethics Code (2.0) established by the BACB®. This code outlines how to:
- Deliver services competently and responsibly
- Protect confidentiality and respect clients’ rights
- Avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest
- Communicate truthfully and maintain documentation accurately
- Follow supervision guidelines and report concerns appropriately
Your responsibility is to know the code, follow it, and report violations to your supervisor if you witness unethical behavior.
Remember: Ethics isn’t optional. Even small breaches (e.g., taking shortcuts on data) can lead to serious consequences.