BCBA certification requirements keep changing. In March 2025, the BACB removed a planned DEI requirement. In 2027, supervision CEUs increase from three to four units.
Miss a deadline or misunderstand what applies to your cycle, and your certification lapses. This guide covers current requirements, recent changes, and how to plan your continuing education.
TL;DR / Quick Reference
Core Requirements (2026)
- 32 total CEUs every 2 years
- 4 ethics CEUs minimum
- 3 supervision CEUs (if you supervise) – increases to 4 in 2027
- Complete before the recertification deadline
- No CEU carryover between cycles
What Changed: March 2025 removed planned DEI requirement
What’s Coming: 2027 increases supervision CEUs from 3 to 4
Understanding BCBA CEU Requirements
Basic BCBA CEU Requirements
Every Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) must complete 32 continuing education units within each two-year certification cycle. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) sets and enforces these requirements through recertification audits.
Your certification cycle is tied to your certification month. If you passed your exam on September 15, 2023, your recertification date falls on September 30, 2025, and every two years after. The BACB uses month-end dates to standardize recertification.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is constantly evolving. CEUs (Continuing Education Units) ensure you stay current with new research, refined ethical standards, and improved practice methods.
Breaking Down the 32 CEUs
BCBA CEU Requirements: 2026 vs 2027
| Requirement | 2026 | 2027 |
| Total CEUs | 32 | 32 |
| Ethics CEUs | 4 minimum | 4 minimum |
| Supervision CEUs* | 4 minimum | 4 minimum |
| DEI CEUs | Removed | Not required |
| General CEUs | Remaining balance | Remaining balance |
*Only required if you provide supervision to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBAs), or trainees
Your Recertification Timeline
Find your recertification date in your BACB account dashboard. The BACB only accepts CEU submissions within 45 days of your date. For example, if your date is September 30, you can start submitting on August 16.
All 32 CEUs must come from within your current two-year cycle. Missing your deadline causes an immediate certification lapse. You can’t practice, bill your insurance, or supervise RBTs with lapsed certification.
If your recertification date falls in 2027 or later, plan for four supervision CEUs now.
Types of CEUs: What Counts and What Doesn’t
Ethics CEUs (Minimum 4 Required)
Every BCBA needs four ethics CEUs per cycle. This requirement doesn’t change in 2027.
Ethics education covers confidentiality, informed consent, documentation standards, supervisory conduct, and conflicts of interest. The BACB takes ethics seriously because behavior analysts work with vulnerable populations.
Ethics courses must come from ACE-approved providers and specifically identify as ethics content.
Tip: Start with ethics early in your cycle to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Supervision CEUs (3 Required – Changing to 4 in 2027)
Currently, three supervision CEUs are required, and starting in 2027, four will be required. If you supervise RBTs, BCaBAs, or trainees, you need supervision-specific CEUs.
This change affects supervisors only. The increase reflects the BACB’s focus on improving supervision quality. Better-trained supervisors create better-trained practitioners.
Supervision CEUs must align with the BACB’s Supervision Training Curriculum covering evidence-based practices, effective feedback, performance measurement, and ethical considerations.
If your recertification date falls before 2027, you will only need three CEUs. From January 1, 2027 or later, recertification requires four.
General CEUs (Remaining Balance)
General CEUs will fulfill the remaining balance of CEUs required for your certification. All general CEUs must relate to the BACB Task List and represent meaningful professional development.
How to Earn Your CEUs
Learning Activities (Most Common)
Most BCBAs earn CEUs through learning activities such as conferences, online courses, workshops, and graduate-level classes. All must come from BACB-approved Authorized Continuing Education providers (ACE providers).
Online CEUs offer significant advantages. Complete coursework on your schedule at lower cost than conferences. Many online providers offer recorded content accessible anytime.
Conferences offer networking opportunities and exposure to multiple topics quickly. A two-day conference might offer 12-16 CEUs across various tracks. This way you are able to get through more CEUs in a shorter period of time.
Teaching Activities
Teaching behavior analysis courses or workshops generates CEUs. You can teach university-level courses at institutions with BACB-verified sequences or present at ACE-approved events.
You must complete new content, and you can’t claim CEUs for teaching the same course multiple times.
Scholarly Activities
Publishing in peer-reviewed journals or serving as a manuscript reviewer generates CEUs. Most practitioners focus on learning activities to meet requirements.
Finding Quality CEU Providers
What Makes a Provider Authorized
CEUs count toward BACB certification only when issued by an Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider, meaning the BACB has reviewed and approved the organization.
Before signing up, verify their current ACE status on the BACB website’s ACE provider directory. Red flags include missing ACE provider numbers.
Provider Comparison
CEU Provider Options
| Provider Type | Cost | Format | Pros | Cons |
| Major platforms | $20-100/course | Recorded, live | Convenient, wide selection | Impersonal |
| Conferences | $200-600+ | In-person, virtual | Networking, multiple tracks | Higher cost, travel |
| University courses | $500-2000+/credit | Structured semester | Deep learning | Time commitment |
| Free webinars | Free | Live | Zero cost | Topics may be limited |
Free vs. Paid CEU Opportunities
Free CEUs exist but are limited. Many providers offer free supervision CEUs as promotional content and professional organizations provide free monthly webinars to members.
It’s important to remember that a $50 course addressing a skill gap provides more value than free material you already know. Quality varies across both free and paid options.
Important Rules and Restrictions
Documentation Requirements
Keep records of every CEU earned. BCBAs are required to upload documentation to their BACB account. The BACB conducts random audits requiring documentation for all claimed CEUs.
Acceptable documentation includes certificates from ACE providers, transcripts for university courses, or publication records. Each should show activity date, CEU amount, provider information, and your name.
Store documents safely. Download certificates immediately, organize by cycle, and maintain a tracking spreadsheet.
The No-Carryover Rule
Extra CEUs don’t transfer between cycles. Earn 35 CEUs and those three extra units disappear when your new cycle starts.
Activities That Don’t Count
Several situations don’t qualify:
- Courses from non-approved providers
- CEUs earned before your current cycle
- Topics unrelated to behavior analysis
- General business training without ABA applications
When in doubt, check with providers before paying. Ask specifically about BACB ACE approval.
Important 2025 Updates and 2027 Changes
March 2025: DEI Requirement Removed
The BACB removed a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) CEU requirement from its roadmap in March 2025. The proposed requirement would have mandated CEUs covering cultural responsiveness and addressing service disparities. If you have already completed DEI courses, they count toward general CEUs. You now have more flexibility in course selection.
2027: Supervision CEU Increase
Starting in 2027, supervisors must complete four supervision CEUs instead of three. This applies to any BCBA supervising RBTs, BCaBAs, or trainees.
Timeline is clear: recertification dates of January 1, 2027, or later require four CEUs. Before that date: three CEUs.
Plan for four supervision CEUs now if your date falls in 2027 or later. Building in that extra unit early prevents last-minute scrambling.
Which Requirements Apply to You
Requirements by Recertification Date
| Your Date | Total | Ethics | Supervision | DEI |
| Before Jan 1, 2027 | 32 | 4 | 3 | Not required |
| Jan 1, 2027+ | 32 | 4 | 4 | Not required |
Check your exact date in your BACB account. Don’t guess. The BACB assigns your official date, which determines requirements.
Staying Informed
Subscribe to the BACB newsletter through your certificant account. Check the BCBA Handbook regularly (updated August 2025). Professional organizations communicate BACB updates to members.
Set reminders to review requirements at each cycle start. A quick check takes 10 minutes and prevents costly mistakes.
Strategic CEU Planning
Creating Your Plan
Strategic planning spreads work across your cycle and prevents last-minute panic.
Mark your recertification date and work backwards. A good rule-of-thumb is to front-load mandatory requirements.
Track progress in a spreadsheet: course name, completion date, provider, CEU type, units earned. This shows exactly where you stand.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Here are some common mistakes:
- Waiting until last minute – Don’t start in month 23 of 24.
- Not verifying authorization – Always check ACE approval first
- Ignoring specific requirements – Read requirements carefully
- Poor record keeping – Keep organized files from day one
- Missing windows – Mark submission dates clearly
- Not checking updates – Review rules at cycle start
Budget-Friendly Approaches
Mix free and paid options. Complete ethics through free webinars. Invest in paid courses for topics you’re excited about.
Look for group discounts. Employers might negotiate organizational pricing or provide CEU stipends and professional organization memberships often include free monthly CEUs.
Special Situations
New BCBAs
Your first cycle begins on your certification date, not exam date. The BACB assigns recertification as month-end two years later.
Plan from day one. Don’t ignore your CEUs for a year; starting early will reduce your stress and pressure in the long run.
BCaBAs vs. BCBAs
CEU Requirement Differences
| Requirement | BCaBA | BCBA (2025) | BCBA (2027) |
| Before Jan 1, 2027 | 20 | 32 | 32 |
| Jan 1, 2027+ | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jan 1, 2027+ | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The 2027 increase applies to BCaBAs too. BCaBAs transitioning to BCBA start a new cycle. CEUs don’t carry over.
International BCBAs
BACB requirements apply globally. An Australian BCBA follows the same rules as an American BCBA.
Time zones affect live webinar participation, so many international certificants rely on recorded content, and all requirement changes apply internationally.
Maintaining Compliance Beyond CEUs
Ethical Attestation
CEUs aren’t the only requirement. You must complete bi-annual attestation confirming compliance with BACB ethical standards.
This is a formal statement about professional conduct. False attestations can result in certificate suspension or revocation. Ensure that you complete this honestly.
Keeping Skills Current
The 32 CEU requirement represents a minimum, not maximum. Strong practitioners view continuing education as ongoing, not cyclical.
Applied behavior analysis is constantly evolving so staying competitive means going beyond minimum requirements. Professional development should be a career-long goal.
Resources and Support
Official BACB Resources
The BCBA Handbook (updated August 2025) contains complete certification requirements. Download from the BACB website.
The ACE Provider Directory verifies authorized providers. Your recertification portal shows certification status and submitted CEUs.
Contact the BACB at [email protected] for specific questions.
Professional Organizations
State ABA associations host conferences, provide networking, and communicate BACB updates. Special interest groups focus on specific practice areas.
Tracking Tools
Digital tools simplify CEU management. Apps let you photograph certificates and receive deadline reminders.
A simple spreadsheet works too. You can set it up with the course name, completion date, provider, CEU type, units earned, and documentation location.
Calendar reminders help you stay on track. Set reminders for your recertification date, submission window opening, and quarterly progress checks.
Conclusion
Your BCBA certification requires 32 CEUs every two years. Ethics requires four units, Supervisors needs three units in 2025, and four in 2027.
From March 2025 the DEI requirement was removed. The 2027 supervision CEUs increase affects all supervisors. Start earning CEUs early, complete the required units first, and keep your documentation organized.
Check your BACB account today for your recertification date, determine which requirements apply, and create a tracking system and start planning.
ABA is constantly evolving. CEUs ensure you stay current with new research, refined ethical standards, and improved practice methods.
Sections
Sections
Frequently Asked Questions
32 CEUs per two-year cycle, including 4 ethics CEUs and 3 supervision CEUs if you supervise (increasing to 4 in 2027).
The BACB removed the planned DEI requirement. Completed DEI courses still count toward general CEUs.
Supervision CEUs increase from 3 to 4 for recertification dates of January 1, 2027, or later.
No. Extra CEUs don't carry over between cycles.
Provider promotional webinars, professional organizations, and Rethink Behavioral Health's monthly CE webinar series. Always verify ACE authorization first.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) accepts three main activity types. First, attend ACE events including webinars, online courses, in-person conferences, and workshops from an Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) provider covering ABA therapy, registered behavior technicians (RBTs), autism interventions, or new research in applied behavior analysis. Second, teach university-level behavior analysis coursework at institutions with BACB certification requirements. Third, publish in peer-reviewed journals. Podcasts only count if from an ACE provider. All activities must align with ethical standards in the Ethics Code. Check your BACB account and the BCBA Handbook to verify which CEU types apply. Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) need 20 total CEUs instead of 32.
Glossary of Terms
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) – A scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior, commonly used to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
ACE Events – Learning activities approved by the BACB’s Authorized Continuing Education program that qualify for CEU credit.
ACE Provider – An organization authorized by the BACB to offer continuing education that counts toward certification requirements.
BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) – The organization that credentials and regulates behavior analysts, setting certification and recertification requirements.
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) – A graduate-level certification in behavior analysis requiring a master’s degree, supervised experience, and passing a certification exam.
BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) – An undergraduate-level certification in behavior analysis requiring less education and experience than BCBA certification.
Behavior-Analytic – Relating to the science and practice of applied behavior analysis.
Certificants – Individuals who hold active BACB certification (BCBAs, BCaBAs, or other credentials).
Certification Cycle – The two-year period during which certificants must complete continuing education requirements.
CEU (Continuing Education Unit) – A measure of participation in an approved continuing education program, with one CEU typically representing 10 contact hours.
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) – Topics related to cultural responsiveness and addressing disparities in access to services (requirement removed in March 2025).
Ethics CEUs – Continuing education units specifically focused on the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, with a minimum of 4 required per cycle.
Ethics Code – The professional and ethical compliance code that all BACB certificants must follow.
General CEUs – Continuing education units covering any BACB-approved behavior analysis topic after meeting ethics and supervision requirements.
Peer-Reviewed Journal – An academic publication where articles are evaluated by experts before publication, ensuring quality and credibility.
Professional Development – Ongoing learning activities that enhance skills and knowledge in behavior analysis practice.
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) – A paraprofessional certification for individuals who implement behavior analysis services under BCBA supervision.
Recertification – The process of renewing BACB certification every two years by meeting CEU and attestation requirements.
Recertification Cycle – The two-year period between certification or recertification dates when CEUs must be earned.
Recertification Date – The deadline by which all CEU requirements and attestations must be completed, occurring on the last day of the month every two years.
Supervision CEUs – Continuing education units specifically covering supervisory practices, required only for certificants who supervise RBTs, BCaBAs, or trainees (3 CEUs in 2025, increasing to 4 in 2027).
Task List – The BACB document outlining the knowledge and skills required for behavior analyst certification, used to guide CEU content relevance.
Sources & References
