The RBT® exam in 2026: format, domains, scoring, and fees
The RBT® exam is the last step before certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. It is a computer-based test given at Pearson VUE centers, written by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This page covers what the 2026 exam looks like, how it is scored, what it costs, and what happens on the day. BT Exam Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with the BACB or Pearson VUE.
The exam at a glance
| Item | 2026 exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 (75 scored, 10 unscored pilot) |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice, computer-based, Pearson VUE center |
| Content | BACB Test Content Outline (3rd ed.), 43 tasks in 6 domains |
| Exam fee | $45 (retake $45) |
| Application fee | About $50 to $65; check the BACB for the current amount |
| Passing score | Set per form by modified Angoff; no fixed percent; no per-domain cutoff |
Want to know where you stand before you read further? The 20-question quick check takes about 15 minutes and shows your count in each domain.
The six domains and how many questions each gets
Scored questions are distributed by domain. The counts below are fixed by the Test Content Outline, so they are the most reliable guide to where to spend your study time.
| Domain | Scored questions | Share | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Data Collection and Graphing | 13 | 17% | Quiz |
| B. Behavior Assessment | 8 | 11% | Quiz |
| C. Behavior Acquisition | 19 | 25% | Quiz |
| D. Behavior Reduction | 14 | 19% | Quiz |
| E. Documentation and Reporting | 10 | 13% | Quiz |
| F. Ethics | 11 | 15% | Quiz |
Behavior Acquisition and Behavior Reduction together make up 33 of the 75 scored questions. If you only have time to drill two domains, those two usually give the biggest return. The study guide walks through all 43 tasks.
What changed in 2026
Exams from 2026 onward use the Test Content Outline, 3rd edition. It replaces the 2nd-edition Task List. The main differences you will notice in study material:
- Six domains with new names, and new weights. "Measurement" became "Data Collection and Graphing" and gained graphing tasks. "Skill Acquisition" became "Behavior Acquisition."
- Documentation and Reporting is now its own domain with 10 scored questions.
- Ethics covers cultural humility, public statements, and gift rules explicitly.
If a practice site still talks about "the Task List" or shows five domains, it is written for the old exam. Everything on BT Exam Practice is mapped to the 3rd edition.
How the exam is scored
- 75 of the 85 questions count toward your result. The other 10 are pilot questions the BACB is evaluating for future forms. They are mixed in, and you cannot identify them, so treat every question as scored.
- The passing score is set for each exam form with a modified Angoff procedure. Experts rate each question by how likely an entry-level technician is to answer it correctly, and those ratings set the cut score for that form. Because forms differ slightly in difficulty, the number of correct answers needed can differ slightly too.
- There is no per-domain passing requirement. You pass or fail on the total.
- Our practice scores do not correspond to the official passing standard. We show counts per domain so you know what to study, not a passing cutoff.
Steps to exam day
- Meet the eligibility requirements. The BACB sets age, education, and background-check requirements. The current list is in the RBT Handbook.
- Complete the 40-hour training. It must follow the BACB's training requirements and be completed within the window the Handbook specifies.
- Pass the initial competency assessment. A qualified assessor observes you performing tasks from the Test Content Outline. This happens before you apply. See our competency assessment checklist.
- Apply through your BACB account. Pay the application fee. Your responsible certificant (a BCBA or BCaBA who will supervise you) is part of the application.
- Receive authorization to test. Once approved, you get instructions to schedule with Pearson VUE.
- Schedule and sit the exam. Pick a center and time. Bring the ID listed in your confirmation.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| BACB application | About $50 to $65 (check the BACB for the current amount) |
| Exam appointment (Pearson VUE) | $45 |
| Retake | $45 per attempt |
Training and competency assessment costs vary by provider. Many employers cover them.
Exam day at Pearson VUE
- Arrive early. Centers have a check-in process that includes ID verification and storing your belongings.
- You get 90 minutes once the exam starts. The clock does not pause.
- You can flag questions and return to them. Answer everything; there is no penalty for a wrong answer beyond not getting the point.
- You usually learn your result at the center or shortly after, with an official score report following through your BACB account. Check your confirmation email for the center's exact rules.
Practice the pace first. Our 85-question practice exam runs on a strict 90-minute timer by default.
If you do not pass
In 2025, 75% of first-time candidates passed and 38% of retake candidates passed. If you are in the group that needs another attempt, the most useful thing you can do is find out which domains cost you points and drill those before the retake. Read what to do after failing the RBT exam for the retake rules and a plan.
After you pass
Certification requires ongoing supervision and renewal. Starting in 2026, new certification cycles move to two years. The renewal requirements, including the renewal competency assessment, are in the RBT Handbook.
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the RBT exam?
85 questions. 75 are scored and 10 are unscored pilot questions. You cannot tell which questions are unscored, so answer every one.
How long is the RBT exam?
90 minutes. That is a little over one minute per question. There is no scheduled break.
What score do you need to pass the RBT exam?
The BACB does not publish a fixed passing percent. The passing score is set for each exam form using a modified Angoff procedure, in which subject-matter experts judge how an entry-level technician would perform on each question. There is no separate passing requirement per domain. Your score report shows pass or fail, with domain-level feedback if you do not pass.
What is on the RBT exam in 2026?
The 2026 exam follows the BACB Test Content Outline, 3rd edition, which has 43 tasks in six domains: Data Collection and Graphing (13 scored questions), Behavior Assessment (8), Behavior Acquisition (19), Behavior Reduction (14), Documentation and Reporting (10), and Ethics (11).
How much does the RBT exam cost?
The exam appointment fee is $45, and a retake is also $45. The BACB application fee is separate, about $50 to $65 depending on current BACB pricing. Your 40-hour training and competency assessment may have their own costs through your training provider or employer.
How many people pass the RBT exam?
In 2025, 109,341 people took the exam for the first time and 75% of them passed. Among people retaking the exam, 38% passed. Those are BACB figures. They describe the whole candidate pool, not any one person.
Can I retake the RBT exam if I fail?
Yes, after a waiting period. See the BACB RBT Handbook for the current waiting period and attempt limits, because those rules can change. Each retake costs $45.
Where do I take the RBT exam?
At a Pearson VUE testing center. After the BACB approves your application, you schedule your appointment through Pearson VUE. Check your confirmation email for check-in time, ID requirements, and the center's rules.
Find the domains to study first.
A 20-question check, weighted like the exam. You get a count per domain and the two to check first. About 15 minutes.
Start the free check