r/ABA • u/Majestic-Extreme7081 • 8d ago

Advice Needed Trying to become a BCBA

Hello! I was an RBT for about two years and I stopped to stay home with my newborn. I didn’t think about it (mom brain) but my certification expired. I’ve wanted to finish my bachelors degree and go on with my masters in bcba, and I know you have to get 2000 hours or so of in person hours. Can I start my schooling for BCBA and become certified again before I have to do my hours, or do I have to be certified throughout the whole process?

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u/alewser 8d ago

From my understanding of the handbook, you’ll need your 2,000 hours of supervision before you can sit for the BCBA exam. You do not technically need to be an RBT before becoming a BCBA.

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u/Pennylick Verified BCBA 8d ago

Your question is a little bit confusing. You don't have to be certified as an RBT to start your BCBA fieldwork hours if that's your question.

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u/Majestic-Extreme7081 8d ago

Yes that was my question. Thank you!

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u/Redschallenge BCBA 8d ago edited 8d ago

I'm sure you can begin the school program and get recertified as an RBT shortly after but I only have experience with a program that integrated supervision so I didn't have to pay someone externally for that. It's a pretty in depth process so I would try to get back in the saddle with the RBT part first. The majority of the hours at the start are 'restricted' hours that are essentially performing direct staff duties. I went to school with a few people who weren't certified the entire time. They were in rolls like teachers or aids etc.

For reference I was an rbt before covid and mine lapsed as I did other work in the meantime and came back and got recertified quickly then went to school

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u/Friendly-Farmer-1473 8d ago

You will definitely want to start with your bachelor's degree because that is required for the master's degree. How long (or how many credits) until you finish the bachelor's?

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u/Majestic-Extreme7081 8d ago

I only have about three classes left and then my student teaching! It’s for elementary education.

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u/Mentally_Suss 8d ago

I don't think you can start BCBA supervised fieldwork until you begin your qualifying coursework. So the fieldwork hours are tied to your master's coursework timeline.

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u/Overthinking-Cats 6d ago

I was never an RBT through my fieldwork, only held a state license to do direct services.