Some people feel happier knowing their work helps others by improving the lives of humans. One of these professions? Behavior analysts. Your day-to-day work is about creating positive change—helping individuals communicate more effectively, acquire new skills, overcome barriers, and thrive in ways that truly matter.
However, to continue doing that work—and doing it well—we must stay up-to-date.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) continually updates its standards to reflect the latest research, ethics, and best practices in the field. The BACB continuing education requirements for 2025 are quite different from the past.
In this article, we will explain the updated BACB recertification requirements for 2025. We will discuss what’s changing, what’s not, and how to maintain good standing without burning out.
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Why Continuing Education and Recertification Matter
You’ve already spent years pursuing formal education and hands-on training to get certified. So, why is continuing education for behavior analysts important when you already know what you’re doing?
Because our work matters. We’re not just working with data sheets and reinforcement schedules—we’re working with people. Families. Schools. Entire systems.
That means we have a responsibility to stay current. The science of behavior is always growing. There’s new research, new tech, new ethical challenges, and shifts in how we serve diverse communities. CEUs help ensure we don’t get stuck in outdated practices—or worse, cause unintentional harm.
Continuing education is a professional commitment. And the BACB is here to hold us accountable, which is a good thing for everyone.
Let’s start talking about how to maintain BCBA certification for 2025.
Overview of BACB Certification Renewal Requirements (2025 Updates)
Recertification Timeline
- BCBAs and BCaBAs: Recertify every 2 years
- RBTs: Renew annually
That part hasn’t changed. But the BCBA recertification process has. Starting in 2025, the BACB has launched the Certificant Gateway, a new digital hub where you’ll submit all your renewal materials, track CEUs, and see if you’re up for audit. It’s cleaner, faster, and more user-friendly (finally).
Required CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
Here’s where it gets specific:
- BCBAs: 32 CEUs every 2 years
- BCaBAs: 20 CEUs every 2 years
However, you can no longer simply grab any 32 hours of content. The BACB now requires a specific breakdown of CEUs by category. Let’s look at the specific BACB renewal requirements for 2025.
Breakdown of Required CEU Categories
BCBAs must obtain 32 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a two-year cycle. But it’s not just about hitting 32 hours—you’ll need to make sure those hours are spread across specific categories.
BCBA CEU categories explained:
Ethics CEUs
BACB ethics CEU requirements are still the same: You need at least 4 hours in ethics. But the BACB now expects those ethics CEUs to align with topics like clearly:
- Confidentiality
- Informed consent
- Reporting and documentation
- Supervisory conduct
Supervision CEUs (BCBAs who supervise others only)
If you supervise trainees, RBTs, or BCaBAs, you’ll need 3 CEUs in supervision. This isn’t new, but the content expectations are higher.
These CEUs now must reflect the BACB’s Supervision Training Curriculum, focusing on meaningful, evidence-based practices—not just “mentoring tips.”
New in 2025: Cultural Responsiveness & Diversity
This is the most exciting (and necessary) update: The new BACB CEU guidelines state that starting in 2025, all certificants must complete 2 CEUs in cultural responsiveness and diversity.
Topics might include:
- Addressing bias in behavior assessments
- Culturally appropriate intervention strategies
- Systemic barriers in service access
General CEUs
The remaining CEUs fall into this “general” category. These can cover all kinds of topics:
- New ABA research
- Functional behavior assessments
- Parent and caregiver training
- Organizational behavior management (OBM)
- Trauma-informed practices
Just make sure your CEUs tie back to the BACB Task List and professional practice. That random podcast episode on neuroplasticity? Probably not gonna cut it—unless it’s through an approved provider and clearly relevant.
Approved CEU Activities and Providers
Not all CEUs are created equal—and the BACB’s tightening things up in that department, too. Acceptable sources for professional development for BCBAs are:
- BACB-authorized CEU providers
- These are organizations approved by the BACB to offer continuing education.
- Example: BehaviorLive, CEUey, Relias, Behavior Development Solutions (BDS)
- University-based VCS programs
- CEUs earned through Verified Course Sequences (VCS) at universities with BACB-approved programs.
- Example: Florida Institute of Technology, University of South Florida, Simmons University
- Peer-reviewed publications (as an author)
- If you’ve authored a research article that’s been published in a recognized ABA journal, you can earn CEUs.
- Example journals: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA), Behavior Analysis in Practice (BAP)
- Approved conference sessions
- Attending presentations at conferences that offer BACB-approved CEUs.
- Example: ABAI Annual Convention, APBA Conference, state-level ABA conferences (e.g., CalABA, TxABA)
- Teaching ABA content at the graduate level
- Educators who teach graduate-level ABA coursework can earn CEUs, too.
- Example roles: Adjunct instructor at Capella University, faculty at Arizona State University, guest lecturer for a VCS course
The format for meeting the BACB continuing education requirements 2025 doesn’t matter much—online, in-person, or hybrid—it’s all about the provider and content. In 2025, all CEU events must include:
- Clear learning objectives
- Proof of attendance/engagement (quizzes, sign-ins, or participation logs)
Reporting CEUs and Submitting for Recertification
The Certificant Gateway is your new hub for all things related to recertification. It’s where you’ll take care of all the important things, such as:
- Uploading your CEU certificates and keeping track of your hours
- Submitting BACB renewal requirements for 2025
- Getting notified if you’re selected for an audit
- Tracking your recertification deadlines so nothing sneaks up on you
To make your life even easier, here are a few friendly pro tips during the whole BCBA recertification process:
- Keep a running CEU log as you go. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a CEU-tracking app, or a shared Google Doc—whatever works for you, just make sure it’s updated.
- Save your CEU proof for 7 years. Yes, seven. Even if you’re not audited this cycle, you might be next time.
- Submit all materials at least 30 days prior to the deadline. Trust us, tech hiccups and last-minute panic are a terrible combo.
- Audits are now random, so don’t assume you’ll be skipped. Being organized now saves you from scrambling later.
RBT Renewal and Continuing Competency
2025 RBT Requirements:
- Annual renewal
- Updated competency assessment
- Background check verification
- New digital renewal system
RBTs can still benefit from the updated BACB certification renewal online system known as the Certificant Gateway. Plus, supervisors now have new tools to verify ongoing supervision and skills assessment.
While RBTs do not need CEUs, a lot of them still pursue a few credits here and there to stay sharp. Knowing how to maintain BCBA certification also benefits RBTs as they move up to BCaBA or BCBA status.
Tips for Meeting CEU Requirements Efficiently
After reading the BACB CEU categories explained, you’re probably wondering how to tackle these requirements without burning out. Well, here are a few practical tips:
- Spread CEUs out over the 2-year cycle instead of waiting.
- Attend 1–2 conferences or subscribe to online CEU platforms (e.g., CEUey, BehaviorLive).
- Join professional groups for shared CEU resources.
- Track hours regularly and verify provider BACB approval.
- Focus on areas of clinical interest or gaps in knowledge.
Pursuing continuing education for behavior analysts is a demanding endeavor. The best approach is to start early and be very organized. The more proactive you are with your CEU planning, the less overwhelming it will feel as you approach your recertification deadline.
Consequences of Noncompliance and Lapsed Certification
But what happens if you let your certification lapse or you don’t meet the BACB’s continuing education requirements? A missed CEU or late application might not seem like a big deal at first, but it can snowball fast.
Here are the consequences when you do not meet the BACB recertification requirements 2025.
- Your certification could become inactive or expire.
- You may face BACB remediation procedures.
- You could lose the right to supervise or practice temporarily.
- It may affect employment or supervision rights.
This is why you need to be greatly informed of how to maintain BCBA certification. To avoid the stress, you should set calendar reminders for 60, 30, and 15 days before your recertification date.
Conclusion
There you have it, the new BACB CEU guidelines. These updates are about keeping our field aligned with current science, ethics, and social values.
To quickly recap the BACB continuing education requirements 2025:
- BCBAs need 32 CEUs every 2 years (4 ethics, three supervision if applicable, two cultural responsiveness).
BCaBAs need 20 CEUs with similar breakdowns. - RBTs renew yearly via competency assessment and background check—no CEUs, but now with a simpler digital process.
- Use the Certificant Gateway to track CEUs and submit recertification.
- Audits in 2025 are stricter and more random—keep records for 7 years.
- Cultural responsiveness now has two required CEUs, emphasizing diversity and inclusive ABA practices.
