Washington's Certified Behavior Technician Credential

Washington is one of the few states where a behavior technician needs a state credential before working with clients. An RBT can qualify on BACB certification; others complete a state-approved 40-hour program. Here are the requirements, fees, supervision rules and the trainee trap that stops people from working while they wait.

Washington's applied behavior analysis law has a line that most states lack: "no person may practice as a certified behavior technician in this state without having a certification issued by the secretary" (RCW 18.380.020(2)). A certified behavior technician, or CBT, is defined as "a paraprofessional who implements a behavior analysis treatment plan under the close, ongoing supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed assistant behavior analyst, but who does not design or supervise the implementation of a behavior analysis treatment plan" (RCW 18.380.010(1)). The Department of Health issues the credential.

Who qualifies for a Washington CBT?

Under WAC 246-805-300, an applicant submits the application and fee and shows:

proof of being at least 18 years old;
a high school diploma or equivalent;
either current registration or certification as a behavior technician from an approved credentialing entity, with verification sent directly to the department, or completion of a state-approved behavior technician training program; and
the name of the clinical supervisor, as proof of the ongoing supervision RCW 18.380.050(2) requires.

The Department of Health lists the BACB as an approved credentialing entity and says RBT certification is "accepted toward the Certified Behavior Technician (CBT) credential." Its FAQ adds that applicants do not need to send BACB documents unless asked; the department verifies the certification using the number on the application.

What if the technician is not an RBT?

Then the route is Washington's own behavior technician training program (WAC 246-805-310). It must be at least 40 hours and cover measurement, assessment, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, documentation and reporting, and professional conduct and scope of practice. It includes simulated practice and supervised work with clients, and ends with the training program supervisor's evaluation of entry-level competency and a signed attestation.

The program has conditions that catch agencies out. The training program supervisor must be a licensed behavior analyst (or equivalent certificant) with at least a year of full-time experience, and must not be related to, subordinate to or employed by the trainee. The program must also have a supervisor within sight and hearing, available for immediate intervention, whenever the trainee works with clients. Clients or parents must be told in writing that a trainee is involved, and that notice is signed and filed. The trainee must finish the program and apply within one year of starting.

Can a trainee keep working while the application is pending?

No, and this is the trap. The Department of Health's FAQ says that once it has received the completed training form, "that individuals training is considered complete and they can no longer practice under the license exemption as a trainee per RCW 18.380.030(5)." The training form must come directly from the training supervisor, not from the applicant. Plan staffing for the gap between the end of training and the credential.

What does a Washington CBT cost?

WAC 246-805-990, as published when we checked in October 2026, sets these nonrefundable CBT fees: $95 for the application and initial credential, $150 for renewal, a $75 late renewal penalty, $75 for expired credential reissuance, and $25 for a verification. Confirm current amounts on the Department of Health's fee page before paying. Credentials renew every two years on the holder's birthday, and an initial credential issued within 90 days of a birthday does not expire until the following birthday.

How is a CBT supervised?

WAC 246-805-330 requires close, ongoing supervision by a clinical supervisor for each client. The clinical supervisor holds an active Washington license in good standing as an LBA or LABA, or another Washington license that permits ABA practice; the department's FAQ names licensed psychologists. Before the CBT starts, the two sign a supervision agreement setting out duties and the type and frequency of supervision. The supervisor must:

meet in person with the CBT to give guidance on working with new clients;
hold at least two face-to-face contacts per month, in person or by video;
provide direct supervision and observation for at least 5 percent of the CBT's hours each month, including observing the CBT with clients at least once a month and with each client on the caseload at least once every three months; and
document the CBT's progress at least every six months.

Before serving a client, the CBT gives a written disclosure of the supervisor's name and contact information, updates it when the supervisor changes, and reviews it at least yearly (WAC 246-805-340). The department's FAQ says it does not require a report when supervisors change, but a CBT may provide services only while those supervision requirements are met.

What does renewal require?

A CBT attests at renewal either to meeting continuing competency or to not currently working (WAC 246-805-410). Continuing competency is met by maintaining credentialing-entity certification, such as RBT certification, or by an assessment from a supervisor within 90 days before renewal covering the six task areas. A CBT who was not working must get that assessment within three months of starting work again. Records are kept for four years.

What can't a CBT do?

A CBT may not start a treatment program before an LBA, LABA or otherwise qualified licensee has evaluated the client and written the plan, may not perform an assessment independently, and may not design or modify treatment plans. A CBT must report changes that may warrant reassessment and immediately stop and report any procedure that appears harmful (WAC 246-805-320).

Where do we fit for Washington agencies?

Our Behavior Technician Registration service is $149 per technician. We check each technician's route (RBT or state training program), collect the supervision information, prepare the application for the technician to review and submit, and track it with the department. Washington background checks are not transferable from an employer's check, according to the department, so we schedule that step early. For the supervising analysts, see Washington's state page and Washington behavior analyst licensing. For the bigger picture, read which states credential RBTs.

Common questions

Does an RBT need a separate credential to work in Washington?

Yes. Washington law requires a certified behavior technician credential from the Department of Health. RBT certification is accepted toward it, so an RBT applies with the BACB credential instead of completing the state training program.

Can a behavior technician trainee work while the CBT application is pending in Washington?

Not once the department has the completed training form. The Department of Health says the training is then complete and the person can no longer practice under the trainee exemption until the credential is issued.

How often does a Washington CBT renew?

Every two years on or before the holder's birthday. Renewal requires an attestation of continuing competency, which can be met by maintaining RBT certification or by a supervisor's skills assessment within 90 days before renewal.

Can a background check from my employer be used for a Washington CBT application?

No. The Department of Health's FAQ says background checks and fingerprinting checks are not transferable, so the check has to be done again for the application.