A behavioral technician (BT) is a paraprofessional for board-certified behavioral analysts (BCBAs). They execute the applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention plans BCBAs create during the ABA sessions. It’s important to note that they are not primary therapists and cannot provide or update treatment plans—a BCBA must do that.
People wonder how to become a behavioral technician, and it’s very easy. There’s no background education or skills required to become one. Instead, you work with an ABA therapy provider, like Spectrum Behavioral Therapies, and spend time training for the job. We offer week-long training that combines classroom learning with in-the-field training.
The next step for BTs is to become registered behavioral technicians, or RBTs. The main difference between the two is the education and certification process.
Keep reading to learn what a behavioral technician is and their powerful impact in ABA therapy.
Responsibilities of a Behavioral Technician
The responsibilities of a behavioral technician are vast and can change daily depending on the client’s needs and location. In their simplest form, the responsibilities of a behavioral technician are working with those seeking help by following the applied behavioral analysis intervention plan the BCBA created.
In reality, the scope of their work can be broken down into client-facing and non-client-facing tasks.
Client-Facing Responsibilities
Most of the work of registered or unregistered behavioral technicians is done one-on-one during ABA sessions. The RBT or BT’s primary goal is to follow the ABA plan the BCBA created for that client.
This can involve:
- Strengthening various developmental skills
- Practicing daily tasks to build confidence
- Building routines with the client
- Collaborating with team members to ensure progress is being made
- Giving prescribed medications
- Updating family/caregivers on the client’s progress
- Managing and documenting the client’s behavior
- Communicating with various staff
They may also work with the client’s supervisor(s) when they overlap to provide support during a session.
Non-Client-Facing Responsibilities
RBTs and BTs also have a lot of administrative tasks—the most essential being data collection. Managing the client’s reactions to stimuli and recording them is crucial to progressing in ABA therapy.
BTs must accurately record the rate of maladaptive behaviors and help the BCBA adjust the intervention plan based on this information. They also need to communicate these changes and their reasons to a client’s family/caregiver(s).
They can also help BCBAs and other staff prepare materials for client sessions, such as toys, visual aids, and anything else that can help ensure a better session.
How to Become a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT)
What is an RBT? RBT stands for a registered behavioral technician.
The main difference between unregistered and registered behavioral technicians is the learning and certification. Behavior technicians can become RBTs by taking an RBT course and passing the various exams.
Basic Requirements
The basic requirements to become an RBT are:
- Be 18 or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal background check
RBT Course
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) created the course and certifies those who pass the exams. It’s a 40-hour course that reviews and teaches the various duties of an RBT.
Once you’ve completed the course, you need to apply for RBT certification to take your competency assessment. The assessment requires someone from a BCBA to watch you work with a client so they can see how well you perform the required tasks of an RBT.
When that’s done, you’ll be given a multiple-choice exam.
If you pass both tests, you’re officially a registered behavioral technician!
Special Consideration for ABA Therapy
If you’re an RBT working in ABA, you have the additional requirement of working under the supervision of a BCBA. You must spend at least five percent of your ABA work with your supervisor.
Why Become a Behavioral Technician? Career Benefits & Opportunities
If you have a passion for helping children or adults with autism, consider becoming a behavioral technician. Every day, you’ll see how you improve the lives of others and celebrate milestones.
As for career opportunities, not only will you have your choice of therapy practice to work with, but you can also choose the environment you’re working in a private practice, a school, or a center.
You can also work to become a BCBA yourself.
How Spectrum Behavioral Therapies Supports Their BTs and RBTs
Spectrum Behavioral Therapies understands how crucial BTs and RBTs are to the ABA process, so we do everything we can to support them. We do this through constructive feedback so RBTs can grow their skills.
Supervisors take time to teach different ABA techniques and explain why they use them for each client. We also give RBTs enough space to try these techniques themselves while still being nearby for assistance.
Qualities and Skills Needed to Succeed as a Behavioral Technician
Here are some of the skills behavioral technicians need:
- Ability to accept feedback
- Adaptability
- Always wanting to learn
- Collaboration
- Communicative
- Compassion
- Detail-oriented
- Empathy
- Loves kids
- Multitasking
- Organization
- Patient
- Perseverance
- Playful
- Problem-solving skills
- Professionalism
- Time management
How Behavioral Technicians Contribute to ABA Therapy Programs
Behavioral technicians contribute greatly to ABA therapy programs. They are the people who implement the BCBA’s plans and spend the most one-on-one time with clients. BTs also have enough knowledge to tell if and when the ABA plan needs to be adjusted as the situation changes.
Having the RBTs in the field allows the BCBA to focus on the more diagnostic and medical aspects of the ABA process.
Common Challenges of Being a Behavioral Technician
While being a behavioral technician is a fulfilling job, it can be a challenging one at times as well. Typical challenges include:
- Irregular schedule: Depending on where a BT works, they may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays to suit a client’s schedule.
- Client behavior: Depending on the client, BTs can work with people who are aggressive and easily upset—which is why they are using ABA therapy in the first place.
- Mental exhaustion: Due to the nature of the job, BTs can experience emotional and mental stress and burnout.
- Communication problems: Communicating with clients or their loved ones can be difficult due to their complicated needs.
- Teaching parents: Many ABA therapy users are children, and you’ll have to teach both the child and their parents or guardians to ensure progress. Teaching parents and guardians can be hard if they aren’t open to changing their behaviors.
Luckily, all of the above are addressed in RBT training and why BTs work with BCBAs—that way these challenges don’t become overwhelming. As long as you want to help children, it’s a fun and rewarding career. When you work with us, our supervisors will give you the tools to overcome any obstacles so you can enjoy being part of our clients’ “firsts” and milestones.
Career Advancement Opportunities for Behavioral Technicians
The most common way BTs advance their careers is by becoming RBTs and then working to become BCBAs themselves, which usually involves a salary upgrade. Either upgrade will allow them to take on more responsibility and provide more impactful services to their clients.
Behavioral Technicians in ABA Therapy
Behavioral technicians are critical in the ABA therapy process. They do a lot of the fieldwork to improve the lives of those with various developmental conditions.
If you’re passionate about helping people, this could be the career for you. Learn more about being a BT or RBT and working with us!
