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Exam Information
Official specifications published by BACB
Exam Format
240 min
175
Assistant
Registration
$275 USD
Pearson VUE
Validity
2 years
Complete 20 continuing education units (CEUs) every 2 years; Maintain supervision under a BCBA; Adhere to BACB ethics requirements
BCABA Exam Topics and Domains
BCABA is organized into 9 weighted domains.
1
Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations
7%
Goals of behavior analysis as a natural science
- description
- prediction
- control
- natural science
- Understanding scientific goals
- Distinguishing between goals
- Application to real-world scenarios
Philosophical assumptions
- selectionism
- determinism
- empiricism
- parsimony
- pragmatism
- Identifying assumptions
- Understanding their implications
- Applying to behavioral scenarios
Radical behaviorism perspective
- radical behaviorism
- private events
- behavioral perspective
- Explaining behavior using radical behaviorism
- Distinguishing from other perspectives
Branches of behavior analysis
- behaviorism
- experimental analysis
- applied behavior analysis
- professional practice
- Identifying differences between branches
- Understanding scope of each area
Dimensions of ABA
- applied
- behavioral
- analytic
- technological
- conceptual systems
- effective
- generality
- Identifying the 7 dimensions
- Applying to practice scenarios
- Evaluating interventions
2
Concepts and Principles
12%
Behavior, response, and response class
- behavior
- response
- response class
- functional relations
- Differentiating between terms
- Identifying examples
- Categorizing behaviors
Stimulus and stimulus class
- stimulus
- stimulus class
- antecedent
- consequence
- Identifying stimuli
- Categorizing stimulus classes
Respondent vs operant conditioning
- respondent conditioning
- operant conditioning
- classical conditioning
- Differentiating types
- Identifying in scenarios
- Understanding mechanisms
Positive and negative reinforcement
- positive reinforcement
- negative reinforcement
- contingencies
- Identifying type of reinforcement
- Understanding effects
- Application scenarios
Positive and negative punishment
- positive punishment
- negative punishment
- response reduction
- Identifying type of punishment
- Understanding effects
- Ethical considerations
Automatic vs socially mediated contingencies
- automatic reinforcement
- socially mediated
- self-stimulation
- Identifying contingency type
- Understanding maintenance factors
Types of reinforcers and punishers
- unconditioned
- conditioned
- generalized
- primary
- secondary
- Categorizing reinforcers/punishers
- Understanding development
Schedules of reinforcement
- fixed ratio
- variable ratio
- fixed interval
- variable interval
- continuous reinforcement
- Identifying schedules
- Predicting response patterns
- Selecting appropriate schedules
Operant extinction
- extinction
- extinction burst
- spontaneous recovery
- Identifying extinction
- Understanding extinction effects
- Managing extinction procedures
Stimulus control
- discriminative stimulus
- S-delta
- stimulus control
- Identifying stimulus control
- Understanding discrimination
Discrimination and generalization
- discrimination
- generalization
- stimulus generalization
- response generalization
- Differentiating processes
- Identifying in scenarios
Motivating operations
- establishing operation
- abolishing operation
- value-altering
- behavior-altering
- Identifying MOs
- Understanding effects on behavior
Rule-governed vs contingency-shaped
- rule-governed
- contingency-shaped
- verbal behavior
- Differentiating behavior types
- Understanding development
Verbal operants
- mand
- tact
- echoic
- intraverbal
- textual
- transcription
- Identifying verbal operants
- Understanding functions
Emergent relations
- stimulus equivalence
- derived relations
- generative performance
- Understanding emergence
- Identifying examples
3
Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation
13%
Dimensions of behavior
- frequency
- rate
- duration
- latency
- interresponse time
- magnitude
- Selecting appropriate dimensions
- Measuring behavior accurately
Operational definitions
- topography
- operational definition
- objective
- clear
- complete
- Writing operational definitions
- Evaluating definitions
- Identifying topography
Types of measures
- direct observation
- indirect assessment
- permanent product
- Selecting measurement type
- Understanding advantages/disadvantages
Continuous measurement
- event recording
- duration recording
- continuous measurement
- Implementing procedures
- Selecting appropriate methods
Discontinuous measurement
- partial interval
- whole interval
- momentary time sampling
- Selecting discontinuous methods
- Understanding limitations
Validity and reliability
- validity
- reliability
- interobserver agreement
- accuracy
- Calculating IOA
- Evaluating measurement quality
Measurement system selection
- representative data
- practical considerations
- measurement selection
- Matching measurement to behavior
- Considering logistics
Graphing data
- line graphs
- bar graphs
- cumulative records
- semi-logarithmic charts
- Creating appropriate graphs
- Following graphing conventions
Interpreting graphs
- trend
- level
- variability
- visual analysis
- Analyzing data patterns
- Making data-based decisions
Mastery criteria
- mastery criteria
- performance standards
- criterion levels
- Setting appropriate criteria
- Evaluating mastery
4
Experimental Design
7%
Variables
- dependent variable
- independent variable
- functional relation
- Identifying variables
- Understanding relationships
Validity
- internal validity
- external validity
- threats to validity
- Identifying validity types
- Recognizing threats
Single-case design features
- baseline logic
- repeated measures
- prediction
- verification
- replication
- Understanding design logic
- Identifying key features
Strengths of single-case design
- individual analysis
- clinical significance
- flexibility
- Understanding advantages
- Appropriate applications
Design types
- reversal design
- multiple baseline
- multielement
- changing criterion
- alternating treatments
- Selecting appropriate designs
- Understanding design logic
- Implementing designs
Types of analyses
- comparative analysis
- component analysis
- parametric analysis
- Understanding analysis types
- Selecting appropriate analysis
5
Ethical and Professional Issues
12%
Core ethical principles
- beneficence
- dignity
- respect
- integrity
- compassion
- Applying ethical principles
- Identifying violations
Risks of unethical behavior
- professional risk
- client harm
- reputation
- legal consequences
- Understanding consequences
- Identifying risky behaviors
Competence boundaries
- scope of competence
- supervision needs
- professional boundaries
- Recognizing limits
- Seeking appropriate supervision
Professional development
- continuing education
- professional growth
- mentorship
- consultation
- Identifying development opportunities
- Planning professional growth
Confidentiality
- HIPAA
- confidentiality
- informed consent
- disclosure
- Understanding privacy requirements
- Managing confidential information
Transitions
- transition planning
- continuity of care
- documentation
- Planning transitions
- Ensuring continuity
Multiple relationships
- dual relationships
- conflicts of interest
- boundary management
- Identifying multiple relationships
- Managing unavoidable conflicts
Professional relationships
- active listening
- collaboration
- feedback
- professional communication
- Building relationships
- Maintaining professionalism
Cultural humility
- cultural humility
- cultural awareness
- self-reflection
- Demonstrating cultural humility
- Recognizing cultural factors
Culturally responsive practice
- cultural responsiveness
- inclusivity
- diversity
- equity
- Implementing inclusive practices
- Adapting to cultural needs
Legal and regulatory requirements
- licensure
- regulations
- funding requirements
- compliance
- Understanding legal requirements
- Ensuring compliance
6
Behavior Assessment
11%
Record review
- record review
- historical data
- medical records
- educational records
- Gathering background information
- Identifying relevant data
Service indications
- service criteria
- appropriate referrals
- scope of practice
- Determining service needs
- Identifying appropriate cases
Goal selection
- social significance
- client input
- cultural considerations
- goal prioritization
- Selecting appropriate goals
- Prioritizing objectives
Skills assessment
- skills assessment
- contextual fit
- social validity
- environmental assessment
- Conducting assessments
- Evaluating context
Preference assessments
- preference assessment
- reinforcer assessment
- paired stimulus
- multiple stimulus
- free operant
- Conducting preference assessments
- Identifying reinforcers
Functional assessment
- functional analysis
- indirect assessment
- descriptive assessment
- experimental analysis
- Conducting functional assessments
- Interpreting results
- Selecting assessment type
7
Behavior-Change Procedures
15%
Reinforcement procedures
- positive reinforcement
- negative reinforcement
- NCR
- contingent reinforcement
- Implementing reinforcement
- Selecting reinforcement type
Conditioned reinforcers
- conditioned reinforcer
- token economy
- pairing procedures
- Establishing conditioned reinforcers
- Using token systems
MOs and SDs
- motivating operations
- discriminative stimulus
- antecedent manipulation
- Using MOs effectively
- Establishing stimulus control
Discrimination training
- simple discrimination
- conditional discrimination
- matching to sample
- Teaching discriminations
- Programming for complexity
Prompting and fading
- response prompts
- stimulus prompts
- prompt fading
- errorless learning
- most-to-least
- least-to-most
- Selecting prompt types
- Implementing fading procedures
Modeling
- modeling
- imitation
- observational learning
- Using modeling effectively
- Teaching imitation skills
Instructions and rules
- instructions
- rules
- rule-governed behavior
- Using instructions effectively
- Developing rules
Shaping
- shaping
- successive approximations
- differential reinforcement
- Implementing shaping
- Selecting approximations
Chaining
- forward chaining
- backward chaining
- total task
- task analysis
- Selecting chaining method
- Conducting task analysis
Verbal operant procedures
- mand training
- tact training
- echoic training
- intraverbal training
- Teaching verbal operants
- Selecting training procedures
Emergent relations
- stimulus equivalence
- derived relations
- relational frame theory
- Promoting emergence
- Teaching for generativity
Behavioral persistence
- behavioral momentum
- persistence
- resistance to change
- Building persistence
- Maintaining behavior
Teaching arrangements
- DTT
- NET
- incidental teaching
- free operant
- Selecting teaching format
- Matching to learner needs
Group contingencies
- independent group contingency
- dependent group contingency
- interdependent group contingency
- Selecting group contingency type
- Managing group procedures
Contingency contracting
- behavioral contract
- contingency contract
- negotiation
- Developing contracts
- Implementing agreements
Self-management
- self-monitoring
- self-reinforcement
- self-instruction
- goal setting
- Teaching self-management
- Promoting independence
Generalization procedures
- stimulus generalization
- response generalization
- programming common stimuli
- training sufficient exemplars
- Programming for generalization
- Assessing generalization
Differential reinforcement
- DRA
- DRI
- DRO
- DRL
- DRH
- Selecting DR procedure
- Implementing with/without extinction
Punishment procedures
- time-out
- response cost
- overcorrection
- positive punishment
- negative punishment
- Implementing punishment ethically
- Selecting punishment procedures
Maintenance procedures
- maintenance
- intermittent reinforcement
- natural contingencies
- Programming for maintenance
- Fading intervention
8
Intervention Development and Monitoring
13%
Observable goals
- observable goals
- measurable objectives
- behavioral definitions
- Writing behavioral goals
- Ensuring measurability
Evidence-based interventions
- evidence-based practice
- assessment-based treatment
- scientific support
- Selecting interventions
- Using assessment data
Contextual fit
- contextual fit
- social validity
- cultural considerations
- resource availability
- Ensuring contextual appropriateness
- Considering constraints
Alternative behaviors
- replacement behavior
- functional equivalence
- alternative responses
- Selecting replacement behaviors
- Teaching alternatives
Unwanted effects
- side effects
- unintended consequences
- extinction burst
- response covariation
- Anticipating side effects
- Managing unwanted outcomes
Progress monitoring
- treatment integrity
- procedural fidelity
- progress monitoring
- data review
- Assessing implementation
- Monitoring outcomes
Data-based decisions
- data-based decision making
- treatment modification
- visual analysis
- Interpreting data
- Modifying interventions
Collaboration
- interdisciplinary collaboration
- stakeholder involvement
- team approach
- Working with teams
- Coordinating services
9
Supervisory Relationships
10%
Supervision practices
- supervision practices
- supervision risks
- effective supervision
- Understanding supervision importance
- Identifying poor supervision effects
Supervisory relationships
- supervisory relationship
- active listening
- feedback
- reinforcement
- Building relationships
- Maintaining rapport
Equity in supervision
- equity
- fairness
- inclusive supervision
- cultural responsiveness
- Promoting equity
- Addressing disparities
Performance expectations
- performance expectations
- role clarity
- mutual expectations
- Setting expectations
- Clarifying roles
Supervision goals
- skill assessment
- goal setting
- individualized supervision
- Assessing supervisee skills
- Setting appropriate goals
Training procedures
- competency-based training
- BST
- empirically validated training
- Training supervisees
- Using effective methods
Performance management
- performance management
- feedback
- modeling
- reinforcement
- response effort
- Managing performance
- Providing effective feedback
Function-based supervision
- performance diagnostics
- functional assessment
- supervisee behavior
- Analyzing performance problems
- Implementing solutions
Supervision evaluation
- supervision effectiveness
- outcome evaluation
- supervisee progress
- Measuring supervision impact
- Evaluating outcomes
How do I earn this certification?
Passing BCABA earns the BCaBA certification. It sits in the Behavior Analysis track.
Next Level Options
- BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- BCBA-D - Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral
Alternative Paths
- State Licensure Required for independent practice in many states
- QBHP Alternative credential for behavioral health services
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for BCABA is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-01
- Announcement date: 2024-01-15
Updates
- Cultural Humility Integration 6th Edition TCO New emphasis throughout ethical and professional domains • Release date: 2025-01-01
- Telehealth Service Delivery Post-COVID Standards Increased focus on remote supervision and service delivery • Release date: 2024-01-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Bachelor's degree holders in psychology or related fields and Behavior technicians seeking advancement.
Bachelor's degree from accredited institution
Completion of behavior-analytic coursework
Supervised fieldwork hours
Application approval from BACB
- Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
- Completion of ABAI-verified course sequence or accredited program
- Strong foundation in behavioral principles and research methods