What is the Competency Assessment?
The RBT Initial Competency Assessment is an in-person or live-video evaluation conducted by a BACB-certified supervisor (usually a BCBA). You will be required to demonstrate various ABA procedures either with a real client or through role-play.
Important Rule: At least 3 of the tasks must be demonstrated with a real client, not role-played.
1. Measurement Tasks
- Continuous Measurement
You must accurately record frequency or duration. The BCBA will watch you collect data and compare your numbers to their own.
- Discontinuous Measurement
You must demonstrate partial interval, whole interval, or momentary time sampling using a timer.
- Data & Graphs
You must enter data into a graphing system and update a line graph correctly.
2. Assessment & Skill Acquisition
- Preference Assessments
You will conduct a formal preference assessment (like MSWO or Paired Stimulus) to identify potential reinforcers.
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Deliver the SD, wait for a response, and provide the correct consequence (reinforcement or error correction).
- Naturalistic Teaching (NET)
Use the client's natural environment and current motivation to teach a skill.
- Chaining
Demonstrate forward, backward, or total task chaining using a task analysis.
- Prompting
Demonstrate a prompt hierarchy (e.g., most-to-least) and successfully fade a prompt.
3. Behavior Reduction
- Functions of Behavior
You must be able to describe a client's behavior in observable terms and state its hypothesized function.
- Extinction
Demonstrate how to place a behavior on extinction safely and consistently.
- Differential Reinforcement
Implement a DRA, DRO, or DRI procedure correctly in a live scenario.
How to Prepare
The competency assessment can be intimidating, but your BCBA wants you to pass! Here are a few tips:
- Review the official form: You can download the official BACB Initial Competency Assessment form directly from their website. It is not a secret test!
- Practice role-playing: Grab a friend or family member and practice conducting a preference assessment or running DTT trials with them.
- Don't panic if you mess up: If you make an error, simply correct yourself and state what you should have done. BCBAs are looking for your ability to take feedback.