Ethics

15% of the RBT exam · blueprint 3rd edition (2026)

Short answer

Domain F is 11 of 75 scored questions (15%). It covers the core principles behind the RBT Ethics Code (2.0) — benefit others, treat others with compassion, dignity and respect, behave with integrity — providing services only after demonstrating competence and only under ongoing supervision, recognising effective supervision, complying with requirements for boundaries, gifts, confidentiality and multiple relationships, and self-reporting.

Why it matters on this exam

Ethics questions are scenario questions with one defensible answer under the Code. The distractors are usually "what a nice person might do" rather than what the Code requires.

Key concepts (tasks F.1–F.5)

Core principles: benefit others; compassion, dignity, respect; integrity.
Competence: only deliver procedures you have been trained on and assessed as competent in.
Supervision: services only under ongoing supervision by a qualified supervisor; effective supervision includes instruction, modelling, rehearsal, feedback and observation of your service delivery.
Boundaries: no multiple relationships, no gifts beyond what the Code allows, no social media contact with clients; maintain confidentiality; report and self-report violations as the Code requires.

Common mistakes

Accepting a "small" gift or a babysitting request because refusing feels rude.
Running a new procedure a caregiver asked for before the supervisor trains you on it.

Worked example

A caregiver asks you to add a time-out procedure you saw on video. The Code-consistent answer is to decline, explain that changes come from the supervisor, and report the request to the supervisor.

Original practice questions

EthicsDifficulty 2/5

A client's parent offers the RBT a $50 gift card at the holidays. Under the RBT Ethics Code (2.0), the RBT should:

AAccept it only if the supervisor is not told
BAccept it graciously to avoid offending the family during the holiday season
CAccept it and donate the full amount to a charity of the family’s choice
DDecline, cite the gift policy, and inform the supervisor

Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. The Code restricts gifts from clients and requires RBTs to maintain professional boundaries; a $50 gift card exceeds what is permitted. The professional response is to decline, reference the policy, and notify the supervisor.

B — Avoiding offence does not override the Code.
C — Accepting still creates the boundary problem.
A — Concealing a gift compounds the violation.

EthicsDifficulty 2/5

A supervisor is on leave. A caregiver asks the RBT to start a new feeding protocol the RBT has never been trained on. The RBT should:

ADecline until trained and assessed as competent; route the request to the covering supervisor
BLook up the protocol online, read it thoroughly, and begin it at the next session
CModify the existing plan to include feeding goals
DStart it carefully and document each step, since the caregiver specifically requested it

Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. RBTs provide services only after demonstrating competence and only under ongoing supervision (tasks F.2, F.3). New procedures require supervisor authorisation and training; the RBT does not design or add goals.

D — Caregiver requests do not substitute for training and supervision.
B — Self-training does not establish competence under the Code.
C — Plan modification is the supervisor's role.

EthicsDifficulty 3/5

Which of the following best describes effective supervision an RBT should expect to receive?

AA monthly email from the supervisor asking whether everything is going fine on the case
BInstruction, modelling, rehearsal, feedback, and observation of service delivery
CAccess to a shared drive of written procedures the RBT can read whenever needed
DAn annual performance review

Show answer and rationale

Correct: B. Task F.4 lists the components of effective supervision: training that includes instructions, modelling, rehearsal and feedback, plus observation of RBT service delivery. Passive or infrequent contact does not meet the standard.

A — A check-in email is not observation or training.
C — Reading materials alone is not supervision.
D — Annual reviews do not provide ongoing supervision.

All 4 Ethics questions →

Tools for this topic

2026 RBT requirements checklist — Interactive checklist of the 2026 RBT eligibility steps (age, education, background checks, 40-hour training, competency assessment, application, exam) with the time windows from the RBT Handbook.

2 flashcards for Ethics

Practice this topic

Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

Start practice

Primary references

RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.), effective January 1, 2026 — Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-21, verified 2026-09-21
RBT Ethics Code (2.0) — Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-21, verified 2026-09-21

Last reviewed: 2026-09-21Next review by: 2026-11-20Draft — pending editorial reviewHow we verify facts