For employers of Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), designing an effective RBT PDU policy now should be a priority.
Companies that prepare in advance will be able to:
- Enhance retention of staff
- Lower risk to compliance
- Provide better quality of service in ABA
- Avoid training concerns at the last minute
It becomes apparent that early preparation for an RBT PDU policy is advantageous for all involved.
RBT PDU Explained
Professional Development Units (PDUs) are a regulated number of training hours for RBTs designed to improve:
- Clinical competencies
- Maintain knowledge of ABA
- Advance ethical judgement
- Enhancement of the quality of service to the consumer
RBTs are required to obtain 12 PDUs biannually.
Designing an RBT PDU Policy
1) Setting Requirements
All RBTs are required to obtain 12 PDUs biannually which will include at least the required training on ethics and skills applicable to the ABA.
2. How to Design Continuing Education (CE) Expectations for Staff
Accepted trainings:
- Online ABA training courses
- Ethics training
- Skill-based workshops
- Supervision-linked training
- Company-provided training
Not accepted:
- General onboarding without ABA relevance
- Unrelated coursework
3. Choose Payment Structure
- Company-paid (best for retention)
- Reimbursement
- Employee pays
4. Develop a Tracking System
All PDUs should be tracked in one place, either:
- Google Sheets
- LMS
- CEU provider dashboard
Record:
- Course title
- Hours completed
- Completion date
- Certificate
5. Integrate Supervision to PDUs
Top companies integrate Supervision to PDUs:
- Monthly checkpoint of PDUs
- Training assigned by client
- Learning integrated into Supervision
6. PDUs Structure
- 6 PDUs in Year 1
- 12 PDUs by end of cycle
This eliminates last minute scrambles.
7. PDU Submission Policy Change
From now on:
PDU submission will contain certificates of completion and will be included in the PDU employee file.
8. Supervisory Audits
Every 3 months:
- Check improvements
- Recognize the deficiencies
- Demand corrective training-long-term
Verifiable RBT Policy Provision RBT PDU Policy Sample
You may use this:
Registered behavior technicians who work as a `Company Name` employee must complete 12 Professional Development Units (PDUs) within 2 years. Training PDUs must focus on applied behavior analysis and ethics, along with guidance from a supervisor. Completed PDUs must be documented and presented, or employment may be jeopardized.
RBT PDU PD Policy Best Practice
Successfully doing this encompasses:
- Setting PDU based on clients
- Creating self-paced training
- Integrating training with PDU bundles
- Supervision with training
- Centralized tracking
RBT PDU Policy-Frequently Asked Questions (For Employers)
What is an RBT PDU policy?
This is a company policy that states how Registered Behavior Technicians obtain, record, and retain Professional Development Units (PDUs) to meet competency and compliance standards.
Is an RBT PDU policy a requirement?
Yes. Having a steadfast policy establishing the training, documentation, and compliance of RBTs is an essential component for a company.
How many PDUs is each RBT entitled to?
Each RBT must complete 12 PDUs every 2 years.
This includes training in ethics and skills.
What are the characteristics of a high-quality RBT PDU policy?
Highly credible policies are:
- Easy to comprehend
- Simple to implement and follow
- Clearly communicated
- Consistently applied
