RBT Supervision Requirements, Explained: How the 5% Rule Works Every Month

Updated October 2026. Everything here comes from the BACB’s RBT Handbook (updated June 2026) and its RBT supervision resources. Examples marked “our example” are our own math using the BACB rule.

Passing the RBT exam is not the finish line. To keep working as an RBT, you need ongoing supervision every single month, and the BACB can audit your records at any time.

This guide breaks down the RBT supervision requirements in plain English: the 5% rule, the two monthly contacts, who can supervise you, and what to keep in your supervision log.

What Are the RBT Supervision Requirements?

Ongoing supervision is one of the BACB’s rules for keeping your RBT certification. An RBT can only practice under the direction of a qualified supervisor, so supervision is not optional or a one-time step.

• It is monthly: the 5% minimum is checked for each calendar month.
• It is per organization: if you work for two organizations, each one must meet 5% on its own. 3% at one and 2% at the other does not count.
• It covers every client: you need a supervisor for every client you work with.
• It is your job too: the handbook says the RBT must make sure they are receiving supervision that meets these rules.
• No 2026 change: the BACB’s RBT 2026 Requirements document says the supervision rules are not changing.

The 5% Rule: How to Calculate Your Supervision Hours

The biggest of the RBT supervision requirements is the 5% rule. The formula is simple: service hours in the month × 0.05 = minimum supervision. The BACB checklist suggests tracking your service hours each week so you can see early if you need more supervision before the month ends.

Service hours this month	Minimum supervision (5%)	In minutes
20 hours	1 hour	60 minutes
60 hours	3 hours	180 minutes
100 hours	5 hours	300 minutes
140 hours	7 hours	420 minutes

Our examples, using the BACB’s 5% rule. The handbook does not say you can make up a missed month later, so in our opinion it is safest to plan supervision at the start of each month.

The 2 Monthly Contacts You Must Have

Hitting 5% is not enough on its own. The BACB also sets rules for how those contacts happen each month.

1. At least 2 face-to-face, real-time contacts. In person or by video conference.
2. At least 1 individual contact. No other RBTs or trainees present.
3. At least 1 observation. Your supervisor watches you provide services to a client. In person is preferred, but video works.
4. Phone and email do not count as face-to-face contacts.

Individual vs. Group Supervision

One of your two contacts may be a small group meeting. Here is what counts.

Format	Counts?	Notes
Individual meeting	Yes	Required at least once a month
Small group (2 to 10 RBTs)	Yes, for the second contact	RBTs should have similar experiences; never more than 10 RBTs, no matter how many supervisors attend
Video conference in real time	Yes	Must follow the laws that apply where you work
Video monitoring with no live interaction	May not count	There must be real-time interaction or feedback
Phone call or email	No	Not face-to-face

Who Can Supervise an RBT?

These are the BACB supervision standards for RBTs on who can be your supervisor.

Role	Who can do it	What they do
RBT Supervisor	BCBA or BCaBA	Supervises you and is responsible for their own supervision services
RBT Requirements Coordinator	BCBA	Makes sure all your supervision requirements are met (one per organization)

• Training first: supervisors must finish training based on the BACB’s Supervisor Training Curriculum Outline (2.0) before they supervise. The BACB checklist calls this the 8-hour supervision training.
• Client knowledge: they must know enough about your clients and work for the same organization or have a contract with the client.
• No conflicts: your supervisor cannot be a relative, your subordinate, your employee, or someone you have a multiple relationship with. This matches standard 1.04 of the RBT Ethics Code.
• Listed in the BACB portal: your supervisor or coordinator must add you as a supervisee, or your certification stays inactive.

Setting Up Supervision as a New RBT

Meeting the RBT supervision requirements starts the day you pass the exam. Here is the order the BACB handbook and checklist describe:

1. Pass the exam. Your RBT status starts as inactive.
2. Get added as a supervisee. Your RBT Supervisor or Requirements Coordinator adds you in their BACB account, which makes your status active.
3. Make a plan together. Agree on how you will reach 5% and both contacts every month.
4. Track your hours weekly. Spot a shortfall before the month ends.
5. Review the rules every 6 months. The checklist suggests reviewing the RBT Ethics Code, RBT Handbook, and BACB website together for updates.

Still before the exam? Start with our step-by-step guide to becoming an RBT and the 40-hour RBT training guide.

What Happens During Supervision?

The handbook lists activities your supervisor uses to help you improve, such as:

• Setting clear performance expectations
• Observing you and giving feedback
• Modeling professional behavior
• Reviewing your progress notes and data sheets
• Checking how well your services and the supervision itself are working

In our opinion, the best way to use supervision is to bring one specific question to each meeting, like a client behavior you are unsure how to record. Our data collection study guide is a good refresher before your next observation.

Your RBT Supervision Log: What to Record

You and your supervisor must keep supervision records for at least 7 years, even after you stop working together. To prove you met the RBT supervision requirements in an audit, a simple monthly supervision log or tracker should include:

• Days and times you provided services
• Date and length of each supervision contact
• Format (individual or group, in person or video)
• Dates your supervisor observed you with a client
• Supervisor names
• Proof of your supervisor’s connection to the client, plus records like session notes

The BACB’s RBT Supervision Checklist is a free official resource for setting up this system with your supervisor.

What If the Requirements Are Not Met?

• No supervisor on record: you cannot practice, and your certification is considered inactive.
• Not working right now: monthly supervision is not required, but other maintenance rules still apply. The handbook suggests voluntary inactive status for long breaks.
• Serious noncompliance: can lead to immediate loss of certification, and you cannot reapply for 6 months.
• Audits: the BACB may audit current and former RBTs and supervisors at any time.
• Self-reporting: RBTs, supervisors, and coordinators must self-report supervision problems in a timely way.

How Supervision Shows Up on the RBT Exam

Questions about RBT supervision requirements fall under the ethics domain (Domain F) on the 3rd edition RBT task list. Questions can ask what you should do when a situation is outside your training, when you need feedback, or when something affects a client. In almost every case, the right first step is your supervisor.

To practice, read our RBT ethics study guide, then test yourself with the RBT ethics quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions