Free RBT Ethics Practice Test 2026 — BACB RBT Questions

This free RBT Ethics practice test covers core ethics principles, professional boundaries, supervision requirements, scope of practice, cultural humility, and confidentiality under the BACB Ethics Code. Each question includes a detailed explanation grounded in applied behavior analysis (ABA) — perfect for BACB RBT exam prep.

Key Topics in RBT Ethics

6 Free RBT Ethics Practice Questions with Answers

Sample Question 1 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

You have been working with Mateo, a 6-year-old with autism, for three months. His mother tells you, "You’re so good with him. I’d like to pay you extra to come babysit on weekends, but please don’t tell the BCBA because they might say no." What is the MOST appropriate response as an RBT?

  1. A. Agree to babysit but keep it secret since it’s outside of session time.
  2. B. Decline the offer and explain that you cannot have a separate paid relationship with clients’ families. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Agree to babysit only once a month so it doesn’t interfere with therapy.
  4. D. Tell the parent you will think about it and ask other RBTs what they do.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: RBTs must avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest with clients and their families. Being both the therapist and paid babysitter is a dual relationship and is not within professional boundaries. - **Correct (B)**: Declining and briefly explaining that you must follow professional ethics and cannot have a separate paid relationship is consistent with the RBT Task List area of Professional Conduct & Scope of Practice. You maintain clear boundaries and protect the therapeutic relationship. - **A** is incorrect because keeping it secret and accepting the job violates ethical standards and agency policies, and hides information from your supervisor. - **C** is incorrect because doing it “less often” does not remove the dual relationship; it is still unethical. - **D** is incorrect because this is not a matter of opinion or what others do; it is a clear boundary issue. You should not consider it or delay; you should decline and, if needed, inform your supervisor.

Sample Question 2 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

During a home session, you notice a large bruise on 4-year-old Lily’s arm that was not there yesterday. When you gently ask what happened, Lily shrugs and says, "I don’t know." Her father quickly says, "She’s always bumping into things. Don’t write that down. It’s nothing." What should you do as the RBT?

  1. A. Respect the father’s request and do not document the bruise since he said it’s nothing.
  2. B. Take a picture of the bruise on your personal phone and send it to your coworkers for advice.
  3. C. Objectively document what you observed and follow your organization’s policy for reporting concerns. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Ask the father more personal questions until he gives you a detailed explanation.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: RBTs must protect client welfare, maintain accurate and objective documentation, and follow reporting procedures for possible safety concerns. You do not investigate like a social worker, but you must report and document according to policy. - **Correct (C)**: Writing an objective note (e.g., “New 3-inch purple bruise on left upper arm observed. Client stated, ‘I don’t know.’ Parent stated, ‘She’s always bumping into things.’”) and following your agency’s mandated reporting procedures is consistent with the RBT Task List under Documentation & Reporting and Professional Conduct. - **A** is incorrect because you must not ignore potential safety concerns or change documentation based on a parent’s request. - **B** is incorrect because using your personal phone and sharing client information with coworkers violates confidentiality and privacy requirements. - **D** is incorrect because it is not your role to interrogate or investigate. You simply document and report according to policy and supervisor direction.

Sample Question 3 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

Your BCBA supervisor has created a behavior intervention plan (BIP) for Jamal, a 9-year-old with developmental delays, that includes using planned ignoring (extinction) for mild whining. Jamal’s teacher tells you, "I don’t like that plan. When he whines, I want you to give him a break right away instead of ignoring him." What is the MOST appropriate action for you as the RBT?

  1. A. Follow the teacher’s request during school sessions and the BCBA’s plan only at home.
  2. B. Explain that you must follow the BCBA’s written plan and offer to let the BCBA know the teacher’s concerns. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Stop using extinction completely and wait until the BCBA notices.
  4. D. Tell the teacher that the BCBA is wrong and you will help her write a new plan.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: RBTs must follow the treatment plan designed by the BCBA and stay within their scope of practice. They do not change procedures on their own but can communicate concerns to the supervisor. - **Correct (B)**: You respectfully explain that you are required to implement the BCBA’s plan as written and that you will share the teacher’s concerns with the BCBA. This follows the RBT Task List requirement to follow the behavior plan and communicate with the supervisor. - **A** is incorrect because changing procedures without BCBA approval can make the plan ineffective and is outside your role. - **C** is incorrect because you are stopping a prescribed procedure without permission and not communicating concerns, which is unprofessional. - **D** is incorrect because it is not your role to say the BCBA is wrong or to write a new plan. RBTs do not design or change interventions.

Sample Question 4 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

You are working with Ava, a 5-year-old with autism, at a clinic. Her mother asks you, "Can you tell me how many hours of ABA she really needs and if we should stop speech therapy? You see her the most, so I trust your opinion more than the BCBA." What is the BEST way to respond?

  1. A. Give your personal opinion based on what you’ve seen in sessions.
  2. B. Tell her you’re not allowed to talk to parents about anything.
  3. C. Explain that treatment recommendations are made by the BCBA and offer to help her schedule a time to talk with the BCBA. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Suggest that she reduce speech therapy and increase ABA since you are with her more often.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: RBTs must work within their scope of practice. Making treatment recommendations (e.g., number of hours, which therapies to stop or start) is the BCBA’s role, not the RBT’s. - **Correct (C)**: You clearly state that treatment decisions are made by the BCBA and help connect the parent with the BCBA. This aligns with the RBT Task List: follow the BCBA’s direction and do not practice outside your competence. - **A** is incorrect because giving personal clinical opinions about treatment hours or other therapies is outside the RBT scope. - **B** is incorrect because you *can* talk to parents, but only within your role (e.g., describing what you did in session, how to follow the plan), not making treatment decisions. - **D** is incorrect because suggesting changes to other services (like speech) is a clinical recommendation that must come from qualified professionals, not an RBT.

Sample Question 5 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

You are an RBT working in the home with Noah, a 7-year-old with autism. During the session, Noah’s older sister comes into the room and says, "Can you tell me what’s wrong with Noah and what his diagnosis means? Mom never explains it to me." Noah is in the room listening. What should you do?

  1. A. Explain Noah’s diagnosis and share details from his assessment so she understands.
  2. B. Tell her you can’t talk to siblings and ask her to leave the room.
  3. C. Briefly say that you’re here to help Noah learn skills and suggest she ask her parent or the BCBA for more information. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Ignore her question and continue the session without responding.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: RBTs must protect client confidentiality, use professional language, and stay within their role. Explaining diagnoses and assessment details is not the RBT’s responsibility, especially to someone who is not the legal guardian. - **Correct (C)**: You give a simple, respectful response that focuses on your role (helping Noah learn skills) and direct her to the parent or BCBA for more detailed information. This maintains confidentiality and appropriate scope of practice. - **A** is incorrect because sharing diagnostic and assessment details with a sibling is beyond your role and may violate confidentiality. - **B** is incorrect because you do not need to be harsh or refuse any conversation; you just need to keep the content within your role and direct questions appropriately. - **D** is incorrect because ignoring her completely is not professional or respectful. You should respond briefly and appropriately while still prioritizing the session.

Sample Question 6 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

You have been working with Mateo, a 6-year-old with autism, for three months. His mother tells you, “You’ve been so helpful. I’d like to hire you to babysit on weekends, and I’ll pay you in cash. You don’t have to tell the company.” What is the MOST appropriate response?

  1. A. Agree to babysit as long as you don’t work on any of Mateo’s goals.
  2. B. Decline the offer and explain that you cannot have a separate paid relationship outside of your role. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Agree to babysit but tell the BCBA later so it is documented.
  4. D. Ask Mateo’s mother to sign a note saying she understands you are not acting as an RBT while babysitting.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: RBTs must avoid dual relationships and conflicts of interest with clients and their families. Being paid privately to babysit a current client is a dual relationship and is not allowed, even if you avoid working on goals or get a note from the parent. The correct action is to politely decline and explain that your professional role does not allow you to provide separate paid services (B). A is incorrect because it is still a dual relationship, even if you avoid goals. C is incorrect because telling the BCBA later does not remove the conflict of interest. D is incorrect because a parent note does not change ethical requirements. This aligns with the Professional Conduct & Scope of Practice area of the RBT Task List, which requires maintaining clear professional boundaries.

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