A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a paraprofessional who works in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to provide direct services to individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities. RBTs work under the direction and close supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or a BCaBA. They assist in delivering behavior-analytic services and practice under the guidance of their supervisor, who is responsible for all work an RBT performs.

RBTs use ABA techniques to teach new skills and behaviors to clients, and they collect data on the clients progress during each session, which they later report to their supervising BCBA or BCaBA. This data is used to make informed decisions about the clients treatment plan and adjust goals as needed. RBTs may use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior or redirect problem behaviors using strategies such as prompting or modeling.

To become an RBT, one must complete 40 hours of training and pass a competency assessment. The eligibility requirements to become a registered behavior technician established by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) are straightforward: be at least 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the required 40-hour training, and pass the RBT Competency Assessment.

In conclusion, an RBT is a paraprofessional who works under the guidance of a BCBA or BCaBA to provide direct services to individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities using ABA techniques. They collect data on the clients progress and support families in managing challenging behaviors effectively.