The RBT Task List (2nd ed.) has been replaced by the RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.). Starting January 1, 2026, RBT training and the RBT exam are based on the new outline. The six domains stay similar, but several were renamed, the outline grew from 37 to 43 tasks, Ethics doubled in size, and the BACB now publishes how many exam questions come from each domain. Here is exactly what changed.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 2nd edition domain | Tasks | 3rd edition domain | Tasks | Exam questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Measurement | 6 | A. Data Collection and Graphing | 8 | 13 |
| B. Assessment | 3 | B. Behavior Assessment | 3 | 8 |
| C. Skill Acquisition | 12 | C. Behavior Acquisition | 11 | 19 |
| D. Behavior Reduction | 6 | D. Behavior Reduction | 7 | 14 |
| E. Documentation and Reporting | 5 | E. Documentation and Reporting | 4 | 10 |
| F. Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice | 5 | F. Ethics | 10 | 11 |
| Total | 37 | 43 | 75 scored |
The exam still has 85 questions: 75 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions.
What Changed in Each Domain
A. Data Collection and Graphing
- New: calculate and summarize data (A.6), identify trends in graphed data (A.7), and explain the risks of unreliable data and poor procedural fidelity (A.8).
- Removed: the separate task on preparing for data collection.
- Study tip: review continuous and discontinuous measurement.
B. Behavior Assessment
- Same number of tasks. Preference assessments now list examples (B.1), and RBTs “participate in” functional assessment rather than “assist with” it (B.3). See types of preference assessments.
C. Behavior Acquisition
- New: establish and use conditioned reinforcers (C.2) and distinguish maintenance from acquisition procedures (C.9).
- Removed: the tasks on skill acquisition plan components and session preparation.
- Prompting and prompt fading are now one combined task (C.7).
D. Behavior Reduction
- New: implement positive and negative punishment (D.5) and describe the secondary effects of extinction and punishment (D.6), such as the extinction burst.
- Differential reinforcement now names DRI and FCT. See DRO vs. DRA vs. DRI.
E. Documentation and Reporting
- Four tasks instead of five. Legal and regulatory compliance moved into the Ethics domain.
F. Ethics
- Doubled from 5 to 10 tasks and worth 11 exam questions.
- New areas include core ethics principles, confidentiality, public statements and social media, gift giving, interpersonal skills, and cultural humility and responsiveness.
What This Means for You
- Training: 40-hour trainings must meet the 2026 RBT training requirements. There is no bridge course from older trainings.
- Exam: any RBT exam taken on or after January 1, 2026 uses the 3rd edition outline.
- Studying: spend extra time on ethics, graphing and data interpretation, and the secondary effects of extinction and punishment.
Track your progress with our free RBT 3rd edition mastery tracking chart, read How to Become an RBT in 2026, or start our 40-hour RBT course built for the 3rd edition. Always confirm details on the BACB RBT page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced the RBT Task List?
The RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.) replaced the RBT Task List (2nd ed.) starting January 1, 2026.
How many tasks are in the RBT 3rd edition outline?
43 tasks across six domains, compared with 37 in the 2nd edition task list.
How many questions are on the 2026 RBT exam?
85 questions: 75 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions. The scored questions are split across the six domains, from 8 (Behavior Assessment) to 19 (Behavior Acquisition).
What is the biggest change in the 3rd edition?
The Ethics domain doubled from 5 to 10 tasks, and new tasks were added for graphing, data interpretation, conditioned reinforcers, and punishment.
Do I need to retake my 40-hour training for the 3rd edition?
If you have not certified yet, your training must meet the 2026 requirements. There is no bridge course from older trainings.
Ready to Become an RBT?
Our self-paced 40-hour RBT training covers the full 2026 RBT Test Content Outline, so you can start today and finish on your schedule.
