10 Important Things to Know Before Becoming A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
A career as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is rewarding and challenging, with something new to learn every day. It’s an incredibly fulfilling path and great for those who enjoy working with children. Some days may be more challenging; others remind you exactly why you chose this work in the first place.
What does a registered behavior technician (RBT) do?
Registered Behavior Technicians work directly with children. As each child learns differently, every session brings something new. At its core, the role of an RBT is to work one-on-one with children using treatment plans created by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Your days will be spent teaching skills, celebrating progress, collecting data, and helping children become more independent, one step at a time.
| Responsibility | What You’ll Do |
| Implement behavior plans | Follow individualized treatment plans developed by a BCBA during therapy sessions |
| Teach communication skills | Help children improve communication through play, conversation, and structured activities |
| Build daily living skills | Practice routines such as dressing, toileting, eating, and other age-appropriate life skills |
| Support positive behaviors | Use positive reinforcement and evidence-based strategies to encourage learning and reduce challenging behaviors |
| Collaborate with families | Share updates and help caregivers carry skills outside of therapy sessions |
| Work with your BCBA | Receive coaching, discuss client progress, and ask questions during supervision |
| Collect session data | Record progress so treatment plans can be adjusted as needed |
10 things you should know before becoming an RBT
Many people wonder, “Is being an RBT a good job?” Working as an RBT comes with new victories, new difficulties, and new opportunities to help children learn and grow every day. If you are considering a registered behavior technician career, these 10 insights can help you decide whether it would be a good fit for you.
1. Some days may be tough to push through
There will be days when your client has a rough session. When you see that, it can affect you and make it tough to push through the rest of the day. You always want your clients to do their best and have the best day possible. When they don’t, it can be hard not to be hard on yourself. You may need to learn how to de-escalate severe behaviors. The job also calls for clinically sound split-second decisions.
2. The rewards outweigh the challenges! You can change someone’s life!
In this job, you get to see those challenges start to fade. You get to see the kids grow as they develop skills over time. Our therapists can guarantee that there is no better feeling than seeing the families’ faces light up when you tell them what a good session their child had. It is rewarding to see your clients gain greater independence and know that you were part of their learning journey.
3. You’re going to be learning on the job every day! And you should be!
You’ll have constant support from your BCBA! Westside BCBAs are in the clinic every day and provide in-person supervision and mentorship. This support also continues through weekly team meetings. You also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with your lead BCBA.
Aside from learning day-to-day skills, you will also learn that the principles used in ABA can be generalized to many areas of life! This includes teaching any skill, raising a child, and breaking unwanted habits! You can apply these principles to yourself as well!
4. You will grow professionally and personally!
You will have opportunities to advance your career in the field of ABA. One therapist shared this experience: “During my time as an RBT, I completed my master’s degree in ABA, got my field experience hours to become a BCBA, and became one! It has been such an amazing journey and wonderful experience. I will continue learning and growing in this field!”
This career can teach you how to remain calm in stressful situations while also helping you build professional relationships with clients and family members. These experiences can foster better communication skills and help you better understand people’s behaviors.
5. You can take on different/additional roles
You can lead programs within Westside! Westside offers three therapeutic programs for children with Autism. One of our RBTs became a program coordinator for our after-school program for children with Autism, where she was able to plan fun activities that work on social skills in a setting with similarly aged peers.
You can also move into a Lead RBT position. Lead RBTs help train new RBTs coming on the team, mentor other RBTs, and assist the Lead BCBA with scheduling.
6. You will build strong relationships with your team!
Working as an RBT at Westside, you will develop long-lasting friendships with your teammates. You will form strong bonds that allow you to support others and have them support you. There is constant encouragement as everyone works together to help each other succeed.
Two times a year, you will receive a team outing stipend for you and your peers to bond outside of work! This encourages the development of personal and professional relationships that increase team morale.
Browse our Job Listings for New RBT Opportunities
7. Every kid is different!
This makes every session unique and exciting! It also encourages you to learn what techniques work with different kids and which skills to focus on. Even though each session may be similar, you can work on generalizing those skills in many different ways.
8. Empathy vs. Sympathy. What’s the difference?
Empathy is “walking 100 miles in someone’s shoes.” Sympathy is “feeling bad because their feet hurt. As an RBT, you have to understand the child beyond their behaviors. Why are they frustrated? If we’re not able to understand, then we can’t guide progress in a fun and compassionate, yet professional way. Developing empathy helps you better understand the perspectives of the children you work with.
9. No two days are the same
A registered behavior technician career means one session can end with a child learning a new skill for the first time, while another may require you to slow down and change your approach. No two days will look the same when you are working as an RBT. The work is engaging and teaches something new with every child you support. Over time, you’ll become comfortable adapting to different situations and appreciating milestones, no matter how small they may seem.
10. You’ll make a lasting difference in children’s lives
Working as an RBT means you’ll be there for celebrating small moments that lead to big wins over time. From hearing a child use a new word and seeing them make a new friend to watching them complete a task on their own, a registered behavior technician career is full of moments that make a real difference in children’s lives. Knowing you played a part in helping a child build skills and confidence keeps many RBTs motivated, even on the most trying days.
What makes a good RBT?
Positive and outgoing attitude, good leadership, energetic (just to name just a few). A great RBT is one who is patient and has a true passion for working with kids. You also need to have good reasoning skills, consistency, and dedication. A great RBT also finds the good in everything and is able to accept and apply constructive feedback and work collaboratively with your BCBA.
Your everyday work can make a bigger difference than you think
Being an RBT is meaningful work with children with special needs. This job teaches you patience, allows you to build relationships with the families and kids, and what you learn can be applied not only to children with Autism but to all facets of behavior. It is a fun role but is life-changing for the families we serve.
Browse our Job Listings for New RBT Opportunities
What Our RBTs Say
We asked some of Westside’s RBTs what they would tell their old self if they were sitting in a classroom or beginning to look into a career in ABA, specifically as an RBT.
“Being an RBT is meaningful work with children with special needs. This job teaches you patience, allows you to build relationships with the families and kids, and what you learn can not only be applied to children or Autism but to all facets of behavior. It is a fun role but is life-changing to those families we serve.”
- Alejandro, 5 years in the field
“Being an RBT is so rewarding. The best parts of the job include being able to watch the kids you work with succeed with the programs you implement and seeing the positive impact you make on families. It makes the hard parts of the job SO worth it.”
- Jordan, 2.5 years in the field
“Being an RBT is hard work. There are days you go home feeling exhausted and totally defeated. There are also days when you go home feeling like you are on top of the world because something finally clicked for one of your kiddos! It is the hardest but most rewarding job ever!”
- Emily, 5 years in the field
“Being an RBT is the most rewarding job I have ever held. You get to see kiddos grow in skills others may not have thought they could. In this role, you need to be able to consistently think on your toes to ensure consistency of session and follow through with expectations given – regardless of the responses that are being thrown at you.”
- Courtney, 2 years in the field
Find RBT Opportunities at Westside Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a registered behavior technician (RBT)?
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is a Registered Behavior Technician?” you’re not alone. An RBT is someone who works directly with children receiving ABA therapy. Under the guidance of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), RBTs help children develop skills such as communication, social interaction, and daily routines. Every child has different needs and goals, so the work changes from one session to the next.
Is being an RBT a good job?
Are you wondering, “Is being an RBT a good job?” It can be, especially for those who enjoy working with children and don’t mind that every day can look different. The role has its challenges, but seeing a child make progress, even in small ways, is what keeps many RBTs coming back each day.
Why do people choose a career as an RBT?
One of the biggest surprises about working as an RBT is how much of a difference you can make in a child’s life and how much you continue to learn. Many choose this career because they enjoy working with children and like to see a real, direct impact of their work firsthand.
How long does it take to become an RBT?
If you’re planning a Registered Behavior Technician career, most people complete the process within a few weeks or months. The timeline depends on how quickly one finishes the required training and certification steps. Once everything is complete, you’ll be ready to begin working under the supervision of a BCBA.
What qualifications do I need to become an RBT?
For a registered behavior technician career, you’ll need to meet the certification requirements of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The qualifications typically include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or equivalent, completing the required training, passing the competency assessment, and successfully completing the RBT certification exam.
What are the most rewarding parts of being an RBT?
Some of the most rewarding parts of working as an RBT are watching children gain confidence and master skills they once struggled with. For many RBTs, it’s the little moments they’ll remember most. It might be a child asking for help instead of getting frustrated, having their first conversation, or making a new friend.
What career growth opportunities are available for RBTs?
Working as an RBT gives you experience that’s valuable in behavior analysis, education, and psychology. Some stay in the role for years; others continue their education and transition into BCBAs or other careers that support children and families. The skills learned in this role provide a base for long-term career growth.
