RBT Ethics Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Medium

   During a session, an RBT writes frequency counts and notes detailing target behaviors on a piece of scratch paper with the client's full name at the top. After transferring the data into the official electronic record, what should the RBT do with the scratch paper?

   1. AA. Draw a single pen line across the client's name and throw the paper into the trash.
   2. BB. Take the paper home to store in a personal notebook for future reference.
   3. CC. Discard the paper directly into an open classroom wastebasket near the desk.
   4. DD. Place the paper into a locked, designated shredding container for secure disposal.
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: D. Place the paper into a locked, designated shredding container for secure disposal.

   Temporary documents containing protected health information must be disposed of in a secure manner, such as a locked shredding receptacle, to prevent unauthorized access. Discarding identifiable documents into standard trash bins or drawing a single line through names fails to protect confidential information.

2. Question 2 of 25Easy

   At the conclusion of a home session near the end of the year, a client's caregiver hands the RBT a thirty-dollar gift card to a local bookstore as a thank-you. How should the RBT respond?

   1. AA. Accept the gift card but immediately turn it over to the supervisor to use for session supplies.
   2. BB. Keep the gift card in an envelope and wait until services have ended before spending it.
   3. CC. Politely decline the gift card and explain that ethical rules restrict gifts to ten dollars or less.
   4. DD. Accept the gift card because declining an offered present damages rapport with the family.
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: C. Politely decline the gift card and explain that ethical rules restrict gifts to ten dollars or less.

   Ethical guidelines permit RBTs to accept only occasional, nominal gifts valued at ten US dollars or less; a thirty-dollar gift card exceeds this limit and must be politely declined while explaining the professional standard. Accepting the card or holding onto it until discharge violates the financial threshold and risks blurring professional boundaries.

3. Question 3 of 25Easy

   An RBT is approached by another technician on the team who disagrees with a client's newly updated behavior plan, stating that the extinction procedure seems too harsh. How should the RBT respond?

   1. AA. Advise the coworker to submit a formal ethics complaint against the supervisor immediately.
   2. BB. Agree to modify the intervention during shared sessions to reduce its intensity.
   3. CC. Explain the theoretical justification for extinction to persuade the coworker.
   4. DD. Encourage the coworker to discuss their clinical concerns directly with the supervising BCBA.
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: D. Encourage the coworker to discuss their clinical concerns directly with the supervising BCBA.

   RBTs must direct coworker questions or clinical disagreements regarding behavior plans to the supervising BCBA, who is responsible for intervention design and justification. Explaining theoretical rationales or debating clinical choices is outside the RBT scope of practice, and modifying the plan independently violates behavioral programming fidelity.

4. Question 4 of 25Medium

   An RBT is promoted to the role of clinic operations manager. In this administrative role, the RBT conducts annual job evaluations, approves vacation time, and makes salary decisions for all staff, including the BCBA who currently provides clinical supervision for the RBT's caseload. How should this arrangement be handled?

   1. AA. The arrangement can continue if performance reviews are conducted anonymously by human resources.
   2. BB. The RBT may continue receiving supervision if administrative discussions are kept separate from clinical meetings.
   3. CC. The arrangement must be changed so the RBT does not hold evaluative or employer authority over their supervisor.
   4. DD. The RBT should resign from direct client care permanently because clinic managers are barred from RBT certification.
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: C. The arrangement must be changed so the RBT does not hold evaluative or employer authority over their supervisor.

   Because an RBT cannot be in a position where they employ, evaluate, or hold administrative power over their clinical supervisor, the clinic must restructure the supervisory or administrative lines of authority. Maintaining separate meeting agendas does not resolve the underlying structural conflict of interest. RBTs are not permanently barred from holding administrative roles, provided they do not evaluate or manage their own clinical supervisors.

5. Question 5 of 25Easy

   A case closed eight months ago, and the former adult client now messages the RBT asking to meet romantically. What should the RBT do?

   1. AA. Decline, because at least two years must pass after the professional relationship ends
   2. BB. Accept, as long as the relationship happens outside of work hours
   3. CC. Accept only if the client's caregiver gives written permission
   4. DD. Accept, because the person is no longer an active client
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: A. Decline, because at least two years must pass after the professional relationship ends

   Relationships with former clients and former stakeholders are restricted for at least two years after the professional relationship ends, so eight months is too soon. The fact that services have ended does not remove the restriction, and keeping the relationship outside work hours or obtaining a caregiver's permission does not change that.

6. Question 6 of 25Medium

   An RBT notices a coworker using a hidden notes sheet during the RBT certification exam. What is the most appropriate action?

   1. AA. Say nothing, because reporting would create a multiple relationship.
   2. BB. Confront the coworker publicly in the hallway afterward.
   3. CC. Post an anonymous warning about the coworker online.
   4. DD. Report the observation through the appropriate channels.
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: D. Report the observation through the appropriate channels.

   Behaving with integrity includes reporting suspected cheating through the proper channels rather than ignoring it. Reporting is not a multiple relationship, and public confrontation or anonymous online posts are not appropriate ways to address the concern.

7. Question 7 of 25Hard

   An RBT feels frustrated because a learner's family encourages extended relatives to feed the child during meals, which the RBT believes slows down progress on an independent self-feeding target. What action best reflects cultural humility?

   1. AA. Explain to the relatives that prioritizing independence is developmentally superior to communal caregiving routines.
   2. BB. Discontinue the self-feeding trials immediately and replace them with independent play tasks.
   3. CC. Examine personal beliefs regarding independence, follow the current plan, and discuss the family's practices with the supervisor.
   4. DD. Instruct the extended relatives to remain outside the dining area while self-feeding trials are conducted.
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: C. Examine personal beliefs regarding independence, follow the current plan, and discuss the family's practices with the supervisor.

   Cultural humility requires practitioners to recognize their own cultural assumptions (such as prioritizing individual independence over collectivist caregiving) while maintaining service delivery and collaborating with the supervisor. Imposing personal values onto the family or excluding relatives damages the therapeutic relationship.

8. Question 8 of 25Medium

   After an RBT informs the supervisor about a multiple relationship with a client's family, what is the RBT's role in resolving it?

   1. AA. Follow the supervisor's plan for resolving it and document the steps as directed.
   2. BB. Continue providing services as usual and let the situation fade on its own.
   3. CC. Decide alone which of the two roles to keep and inform the supervisor afterward.
   4. DD. Ask the client's caregiver to decide how the relationship should be handled.
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: A. Follow the supervisor's plan for resolving it and document the steps as directed.

   The RBT reports the situation, works with the supervisor on a resolution, carries out the supervisor's direction, and documents what was done. Deciding alone is wrong because resolving the overlap involves clinical and supervisory judgment that is outside the RBT's role.

9. Question 9 of 25Medium

   An RBT is assigned to work with a 19-year-old client on sorting and fine-motor skills. The materials currently stored in the client's bin are brightly colored plastic animal toys designed for toddlers. Which action best reflects treating the client with dignity?

   1. AA. Continue using the toddler toys because they successfully match the client's fine-motor skill level.
   2. BB. Replace the materials independently with complex adult tools without informing the supervisor.
   3. CC. Consult with the supervisor about substituting age-appropriate items such as coins, keys, or hardware.
   4. DD. Refuse to run the sorting program until the client asks for different learning materials.
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: C. Consult with the supervisor about substituting age-appropriate items such as coins, keys, or hardware.

   Maintaining dignity means providing materials and activities that are respectful of the client's chronological age rather than using infant or toddler toys. Consulting the supervisor ensures the change is authorized and clinically appropriate, whereas continuing to use infant toys or modifying interventions without oversight is improper.

10. Question 10 of 25Medium

    The written plan defines “engaged” partly by eye contact. The RBT’s own cultural background makes the RBT uncomfortable when a client avoids eye contact, and the RBT starts scoring the client as less engaged. What is the best action?

    1. AA. Stop collecting data until the family agrees with the definition
    2. BB. Apply the written definition as stated and ask the supervisor about any unclear parts
    3. CC. Ask the caregiver to require eye contact during sessions
    4. DD. Score based on personal comfort level and note the client’s culture
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: B. Apply the written definition as stated and ask the supervisor about any unclear parts

    Personal bias can influence measurement, so the RBT should use the operational definition in the plan and clarify any ambiguity with the supervisor. Scoring from personal comfort is wrong because it replaces the written definition with the RBT’s own standards.

11. Question 11 of 25Hard

    An RBT provides 120 hours of behavior-analytic services during a calendar month. By the end of the month, the RBT has participated in 5 hours of supervision across two individual meetings, including one direct client observation. What is the status of the RBT's monthly supervision?

    1. AA. The RBT is compliant because monthly percentage rules are waived when exceeding 100 service hours.
    2. BB. The RBT is non-compliant because half of all monthly supervision hours must occur in a group.
    3. CC. The RBT is non-compliant because the total supervision hours are 1 hour below the 5% minimum.
    4. DD. The RBT is compliant because two face-to-face contacts with client observation took place.
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: C. The RBT is non-compliant because the total supervision hours are 1 hour below the 5% minimum.

    For 120 hours of direct service, the RBT requires a minimum of 6 hours of supervision (120 x 0.05 = 6). Although the RBT fulfilled the structural criteria of having two individual contacts and a direct observation, completing only 5 hours leaves the technician 1 hour short of the mandatory 5% minimum.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    An RBT wants advice about a difficult case from an online behavior analysis discussion group. What should the RBT do?

    1. AA. Ask the supervisor privately instead of posting client details online
    2. BB. Post the case because the group is invitation-only
    3. CC. Post the case with the learner's name replaced by initials
    4. DD. Send the full case description to group members by direct message
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: A. Ask the supervisor privately instead of posting client details online

    Consulting the supervisor keeps case information within an approved, job-related setting. Replacing a name with initials, using a restricted group, or sending private messages still places identifying client details in a public or uncontrolled space.

13. Question 13 of 25Medium

    An agency policy states that staff may not accept any gifts, food, or gratuities from families. A caregiver orders a catered lunch for the entire clinic team, including the RBT, to celebrate the client's progress. How should the RBT respond?

    1. AA. Participate in the lunch because group gifts shared across staff are exempt from ethics guidelines.
    2. BB. Accept the food but calculate the estimated individual portion value to verify it is under $10.
    3. CC. Decline the meal respectfully and inform the supervisor so the agency policy can be clarified with the family.
    4. DD. Advise the caregiver that food is permissible as long as no tangible objects were provided.
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: C. Decline the meal respectfully and inform the supervisor so the agency policy can be clarified with the family.

    The agency's strict zero-tolerance policy against accepting food or gifts must be upheld. The RBT should respectfully decline the meal and alert the supervisor so that agency leadership can reinforce the policy with the family constructively. Assuming that shared group meals are automatically exempt contradicts the employer's explicit prohibition.

14. Question 14 of 25Medium

    An RBT is scheduled for a group supervision meeting with several other RBTs. Which statement about the monthly contacts is accurate?

    1. AA. Group meetings never count toward the monthly contacts
    2. BB. At least one of the two contacts must be individual to the RBT
    3. CC. Group meetings count only if service delivery is observed during them
    4. DD. Both contacts may be group meetings as long as the group is small
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: B. At least one of the two contacts must be individual to the RBT

    At least one monthly contact must be individual; group contacts are permitted only in addition, with no more than 10 RBTs in the group. Group meetings do count toward the requirement, but they cannot replace the individual contact.

15. Question 15 of 25Hard

    A police officer visits a clinic and asks an RBT questions about a client's household routines as part of a general investigation into a neighbor's property dispute. The officer does not present a warrant, court order, or claim of emergency. How should the RBT respond regarding confidentiality?

    1. AA. Decline to provide client information without a valid legal mandate or written authorization, and notify the supervisor.
    2. BB. Answer the questions openly because law enforcement inquiries automatically waive client confidentiality.
    3. CC. Instruct the officer to interview the learner directly in the clinic waiting area without parental consent.
    4. DD. Provide the requested information only if the officer promises not to use the learner's real name in official reports.
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: A. Decline to provide client information without a valid legal mandate or written authorization, and notify the supervisor.

    Declining to provide information without a valid legal mandate or written authorization and notifying the supervisor is correct because informal law enforcement questioning does not meet the standard of a legal exception to confidentiality. Answering questions openly is incorrect because the presence of law enforcement alone does not waive client privacy protections without an emergency, warrant, or court order.

16. Question 16 of 25Easy

    A parent asks an RBT, "So are you the behavior analyst in charge of my child's program?" What is the most ethical reply?

    1. AA. "I am an RBT who implements the plan under a supervisor's direction."
    2. BB. "Yes, I am the behavior analyst for your child."
    3. CC. "I am not allowed to tell you anything about my role."
    4. DD. "I am almost a behavior analyst, so you can talk to me as one."
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: A. "I am an RBT who implements the plan under a supervisor's direction."

    The RBT Ethics Code prohibits misrepresenting credentials, so the RBT should describe the role accurately as an RBT working under supervision. Claiming to be the behavior analyst or "almost" one misleads the parent about qualifications.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    While conducting a community-based session, an adult client expresses immediate intent to engage in life-threatening self-harm and begins moving rapidly toward a busy roadway. What is the most appropriate immediate action for the RBT?

    1. AA. Send an urgent email to the supervisor and wait for specific clinical instructions before intervening physically.
    2. BB. Contact emergency personnel immediately to secure physical safety, then inform the supervisor as soon as possible.
    3. CC. Implement planned ignoring for the verbal statements and wait for the crisis behavior to extinguish naturally.
    4. DD. Contact the client's insurance representative to verify emergency authorization for behavioral crisis stabilization.
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: B. Contact emergency personnel immediately to secure physical safety, then inform the supervisor as soon as possible.

    When an individual poses an imminent risk of severe harm to themselves or others, the technician must act immediately to maintain safety, including contacting emergency first responders. Waiting for email guidance or attempting an extinction procedure during a life-threatening crisis puts the client at extreme risk.

18. Question 18 of 25Easy

    An RBT plans to establish an independent consulting practice and hire a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to provide required monthly supervision for the RBT's cases. Why is this arrangement impermissible?

    1. AA. An RBT cannot be the employer of their direct behavior-analytic supervisor.
    2. BB. An RBT must practice for at least three consecutive years before selecting their own supervisor.
    3. CC. An RBT may only receive supervision from a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.
    4. DD. An RBT is prohibited from delivering behavior-analytic services in non-clinic environments.
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: A. An RBT cannot be the employer of their direct behavior-analytic supervisor.

    Ethical standards explicitly state that an RBT may practice only within a clearly defined supervised role and may never be the employer of their supervisor. An employment relationship where the supervisee employs the supervisor creates an inherent conflict of interest that compromises objective clinical oversight. The restriction is not based on years of experience or the service setting.

19. Question 19 of 25Easy

    An RBT is writing a short professional profile for a community resource website that families use to find providers. Which description is accurate and consistent with the RBT Ethics Code?

    1. AA. Board Certified Behavior Analyst providing in-home programming
    2. BB. Registered Behavior Technician providing services under a BCBA's ongoing supervision
    3. CC. Licensed behavior analyst specializing in autism treatment
    4. DD. Behavior specialist who designs and supervises ABA programs
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: B. Registered Behavior Technician providing services under a BCBA's ongoing supervision

    An RBT is a paraprofessional who implements behavior plans and works under ongoing supervision by a qualified supervisor, so stating the RBT title and the supervision relationship accurately represents the role. Describing oneself as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst or a licensed behavior analyst misrepresents credentials the RBT does not hold and implies independent design of programs.

20. Question 20 of 25Easy

    An RBT is assigned to a clinic case under the direct supervision of a BCBA. The supervisor suggests that the two of them start dating outside of work while maintaining their regular supervisory schedule. How should the RBT respond?

    1. AA. Accept the proposal provided that both individuals sign an internal disclosure statement with clinic management.
    2. BB. Postpone the relationship until the technician completes their upcoming annual performance review at the clinic.
    3. CC. Agree to date outside of work hours as long as supervisory performance evaluations remain objective and documented.
    4. DD. Decline the proposal because romantic relationships between behavior technicians and their current supervisors are strictly prohibited.
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: D. Decline the proposal because romantic relationships between behavior technicians and their current supervisors are strictly prohibited.

    Technicians must never engage in romantic or sexual relationships with current supervisors due to the inherent conflict of interest and power imbalance. Agreeing to date while maintaining supervision, even with disclosures or attempts at objective evaluation, is a clear violation of ethical standards. Postponing the relationship does not address the fundamental conflict while supervision is active.

21. Question 21 of 25Medium

    A supervisor removes a brief timeout procedure from a learner's behavior plan after data show that a reinforcement-based replacement strategy is effective. The RBT believes the timeout worked faster and continues using it when the learner acts out. Why is the RBT's conduct unethical?

    1. AA. The RBT did not obtain personal liability insurance to cover discontinued behavioral interventions.
    2. BB. The RBT is using a punishment procedure that is no longer authorized in the documented behavior plan.
    3. CC. The RBT is required to give the caregiver two weeks of notice before altering behavioral consequences.
    4. DD. The RBT failed to collect comparative baseline data before deciding which procedure was more efficient.
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: B. The RBT is using a punishment procedure that is no longer authorized in the documented behavior plan.

    RBTs must strictly adhere to the current, documented behavior-change plan and are not permitted to use punishment procedures once they are removed by the supervisor. Even if the RBT personally believes the previous consequence was more rapid or convenient, practicing unauthorized interventions violates professional standards.

22. Question 22 of 25Hard

    An RBT is repeatedly instructed by their direct BCBA supervisor to adjust mastery criteria and modify operational target definitions directly in the data software. The RBT has explained in writing that clinical program design exceeds the RBT role, but the supervisor insists the RBT make these updates. What is the most appropriate next step for the RBT?

    1. AA. Comply with the supervisor's instructions while keeping personal copies of all changed criteria to protect against liability.
    2. BB. Inform the client's caregivers that the supervisor is asking staff to perform tasks outside their professional competence.
    3. CC. Modify only the mastery criteria that involve simple frequency counts and refuse to alter complex operational definitions.
    4. DD. Escalate the documented concern to the clinical director or appropriate administrative leadership within the organization.
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: D. Escalate the documented concern to the clinical director or appropriate administrative leadership within the organization.

    When a direct supervisor continues to mandate clinical tasks outside the RBT scope after informal and written attempts to resolve the issue, the RBT must escalate the documented concern to organizational leadership or another appropriate authority. Complying while saving records is incorrect because it allows unauthorized clinical modifications to continue, which undermines service integrity and breaches scope boundaries.

23. Question 23 of 25Hard

    An RBT is entering paper data from a community outing into the agency's electronic data system. The paper data sheet includes the target behavior counts, as well as informal notes written by another staff member regarding the client's parent receiving a speeding ticket in the parking lot. What should the RBT enter into the permanent clinical record?

    1. AA. Neither the behavior data nor the notes until the parent provides written consent to document the outing.
    2. BB. A summarized note stating that the parent engaged in unlawful behavior outside the community venue.
    3. CC. Both the behavior counts and the note about the speeding ticket to ensure a complete legal record of the outing.
    4. DD. Only the verified target behavior counts and objective environmental events that directly impacted the session.
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: D. Only the verified target behavior counts and objective environmental events that directly impacted the session.

    Client clinical records must contain only information that is directly relevant and necessary for behavior-analytic services. Irrelevant personal events involving family members, such as a traffic citation, do not belong in clinical behavior logs. Documenting the citation under the assumption that all events must be recorded fails to apply the standard of collecting and using only necessary information.

24. Question 24 of 25Hard

    An RBT owns and manages an independent tutoring center on weekends outside of behavior analysis services. The RBT's clinic BCBA supervisor asks to be hired as a paid educational consultant for the tutoring business. Why must the RBT refuse this arrangement?

    1. AA. Supervisors are not permitted to earn income from more than one organization simultaneously.
    2. BB. RBTs are prohibited from employing their own behavior-analytic supervisors.
    3. CC. BCBAs are legally prohibited from providing services outside of accredited behavior agencies.
    4. DD. RBTs are barred from operating any independent businesses outside of behavior analysis.
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: B. RBTs are prohibited from employing their own behavior-analytic supervisors.

    Ethical guidelines explicitly prohibit RBTs from becoming the employer of their behavior-analytic supervisor. Hiring one's supervisor reverses the supervisory power dynamic and creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest that compromises clinical oversight. Claiming that RBTs cannot operate outside businesses is incorrect because outside employment is permitted as long as it does not conflict with ethical boundaries or client care.

25. Question 25 of 25Hard

    An RBT is preparing to implement an eating program focused on self-feeding finger foods. The caregiver explains that in their culture, eating directly with hands is discouraged, and asks if utensils can be used instead. What is the most culturally responsive and professional action for the RBT to take?

    1. AA. Modify the program criteria independently during that session to require fork use on every presentation.
    2. BB. Explain to the caregiver that the learner must master developmental milestones with finger foods before using utensils.
    3. CC. Listen respectfully to the caregiver's perspective and immediately contact the supervisor to discuss adapting the target.
    4. DD. Continue the procedure as written because an approved behavior-change plan cannot be questioned by caregivers.
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: C. Listen respectfully to the caregiver's perspective and immediately contact the supervisor to discuss adapting the target.

    Cultural responsiveness requires seeking and respecting family input regarding cultural norms while working within the RBT role by bringing the information to the supervisor for plan adjustments. Modifying the clinical criteria independently violates the requirement to implement plans under supervisory direction. Dismissing the caregiver's cultural values disregards client dignity and harms family collaboration.

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