A Guide to the BCBA CEU Requirements

Feeling overwhelmed by the BCBA CEU requirements and not sure where to start? Above and Beyond ABA Therapy makes it simple by breaking everything down for you.

Updated On:
Jul 15, 2025
by:
Ralph Moller

Essential Guide to BCBA CEU Requirements

Above and Beyond Therapy explains the BCBA CEU requirements 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are more than just a requirement, they’re essential for staying up to date with best practices, improving client outcomes, and growing as a professional. But let’s be honest, navigating the requirements and keeping up with CEUs can feel overwhelming at times. 

At Above and Beyond Therapy, we understand the demands BCBAs face, which is why we’ve created this simple guide to the BCBA CEU requirements (as of 2025) to help make the process easier, clearer, and more manageable.

Understanding CEUs: Why They Matter for BCBAs

If you're a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), you've probably heard a lot about CEUs—Continuing Education Units. But what exactly are they, and why do they matter so much?

One of the key BCBA recertification requirements are the CEUs. Being a BCBA isn’t a one-and-done deal. The field of behavior analysis is constantly evolving, new research, tools, and ethical updates are always emerging, so ongoing learning is part of the job. CEUs are how you stay connected to that progress.

They’re not just a checkbox for recertification, they help you continue growing as a professional, provide the best possible support to your clients, and stay in line with the most current standards. So while they might feel like just another to-do, they’re actually one of the most important ways to stay excellent and certified in what you do.

Who is Required to Obtain CEUs?

BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) and BCaBAs (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts) both need CEUs to keep their certification active and in good standing. It’s part of ensuring that professionals in the field stay up to date with new research, ethical guidelines, and best practices.

How Many CEUs Does a BCBA Need?

If you’re certified as a BCBA, you’ll need to earn 32 CEUs every two years (that’s your recertification cycle). But it’s not just any 32 CEUs, you need to hit a few key areas within that total:

  • 4 CEUs in Ethics – Ethical practice is a cornerstone of behavior analysis. These CEUs help ensure that your decision-making stays grounded in the most current ethical standards and guidelines. Whether you're navigating dual relationships, consent, or service delivery challenges, ongoing training in ethics keeps you sharp and responsible in real-world practice.
  • 3 CEUs in Supervision – This requirement only applies if you’re supervising trainees or RBTs. Supervision isn’t just about oversight; it’s about mentorship, modeling professionalism, and ensuring quality care. These CEUs help reinforce best practices in guiding others effectively and ethically.
  • The remaining 25 (or 28 if you don’t supervise) can be in general content areas—anything that helps you grow professionally. This might include clinical interventions, assessment strategies, working with new populations, or refining your data collection methods. You’ve got flexibility here to tailor your CEUs to your interests and the needs of your practice.

So while you’ve got some freedom in what you choose, there are still a few boxes to check to make sure your CEUs are balanced and BACB-approved.

CEU Categories—What Actually Counts?

Now, not all CEUs are created equal. The BACB breaks them down into different types, mainly Learning CEUs and Teaching CEUs (what used to be called Type 1 and Type 2, if you’ve been around a while).

Here’s the basic breakdown:

  • Learning CEUs: These are the most common and what most BCBAs earn—by attending webinars, conferences, workshops, or approved online courses focused on behavior analysis. They're practical, widely available, and a reliable way to stay current in the field.
  • Teaching CEUs: You can also earn CEUs by being the one presenting—whether you're leading a CEU event, teaching a course, or publishing a relevant article. It's a way of receiving credit for sharing your expertise and contributing to the professional growth of others.

You can mix and match these, as long as they’re from BACB-approved providers or meet their standards. 

When Do I Need My CEUs By? (And How Often?)

If you’re a BCBA by profession, you’ve got a 2-year recertification cycle. That means every two years, you need to have your 32 CEUs ready to go.

Your certification cycle is unique to you, based on when you were first certified. While the BACB does send reminders, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your timeline and not leave things to the last minute. Trying to cram all your CEUs in at the end of your cycle can be stressful, and less effective. Spacing them out over time not only makes things more manageable but also helps you absorb and apply what you’re learning.

Heads up: The BACB sometimes updates CEU rules or requirements so it’s a good idea to check their site now and then, especially as your renewal date approaches.

How to Keep Track of Your CEUs

You’re responsible for tracking your own CEUs, and yes, you do need to keep documentation in case you get audited. That means:

  • Certificates of completion from CEU providers
  • Dates, titles, and topics of the courses
  • BACB provider info (so it’s clear the CEU counts)

You don’t need to submit all of this when you recertify, but you do need to hang onto it for at least 7 years. 

Pro Tip: Keep a simple spreadsheet or digital folder with all your certificates and details in one place. There are even CEU tracking apps out there if that’s more your style.

Where Can I Earn My CEUs?

There are a bunch of ways to earn your credits, and you can mix and match based on what fits your schedule and learning style.

Online CEUs

Online CEUs are a super popular choice, and for good reason. You can take them from anywhere, at any time—whether you’ve got an hour free between clients or you're squeezing in a module after the kids go to bed.

Pros:

  • Total flexibility
  • Lots of variety (you can find CEUs on everything from supervision skills to trauma-informed ABA)
  • Usually cheaper than in-person options
  • Instant access to certificates

Cons:

  • No networking or live interaction
  • Easy to zone out if you're multitasking
  • Some topics are just better in a live, hands-on setting

In-Person BCBA Trainings & Workshops

Prefer face-to-face learning? Local workshops, training events, and CEU sessions hosted by clinics or universities can be great options.

Pros:

  • More interactive and engaging
  • Great for networking
  • Real-time Q&A and discussions

Cons:

  • Fixed times and locations
  • Can be pricey (especially if travel is involved)
  • Limited course variety unless you live near a hub

Applied Behavior Analysis Conferences

Big ABA conferences offer a great opportunity to complete your BCBA continuing education requirements while connecting with professionals in the field, exploring new tools, and learning from top experts.

Pros:

  • Ability to earn a substantial number of CEUs in a single event
  • Inspiring and energizing
  • Meet other BCBAs, vendors, and researchers

Cons:

  • More expensive
  • Travel and time off required
  • Overwhelming if you’re not a fan of crowds

There’s no one “right” way to earn your CEUs—it’s all about what works best for you. Many BCBAs go for a combo: a few online courses throughout the year, one live workshop, maybe a conference if it fits the budget. Whatever you choose, just keep an eye on your timeline and make sure you’re hitting the BACB’s category requirements. 

What Happens If You Don’t Get Your CEUs? 

Keeping up with CEU requirements can be challenging, especially with life’s many demands and busy schedules. Deadlines can approach quickly, and missing them can have serious consequences, and they’re not just a slap on the wrist.

You Could Lose Your Certification

Yep, it’s that serious. The BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) requires BCBAs and BCaBAs to complete a certain number of CEUs every certification cycle. If you don’t submit proof that you’ve met those requirements, your certification could be revoked or not renewed, which means you legally can’t practice as a BCBA until you fix it.

Possible Late Fees or Penalties

In some cases, if you miss the submission deadline but still complete your CEUs shortly after, the BACB might allow you to submit late but you’ll likely have to pay a fine. 

Extra Stress and Scrambling

Even if you do manage to pull things together last minute, trying to track down CEUs, find certificates, or rush through courses can turn into a stressful nightmare. It’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to plan ahead and chip away at your CEUs gradually throughout the cycle.

Navigating Your BCBA CEU Journey

Keeping up with your BCBA renewal CEU requirements is a big part of staying certified and growing as a BCBA. it's not just about checking boxes, it’s about staying sharp, ethical, and connected to the latest in the field. Spreading out your CEUs and knowing your deadlines helps you stay on track and grow with confidence. 

At Above and Beyond Therapy, we support professionals who strive for excellence, and we’re always looking for amazing staff to join our team. Ready to take the next step? Join us!

FAQs: BCBA CEU Requirements

How many ethics CEUs do I need for my BCBA recertification?

For your BCBA recertification, you need to complete at least 4 hours of ethics CEUs during your 2-year certification cycle.

These ethics CEUs must focus specifically on ethical practices as outlined in the BACB’s Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and must be earned through BACB-approved CEU providers.

How many supervision CEUs do I need as a BCBA?

For your BCBA recertification, you need 3 Supervision CEUs only if you provide supervision to others such as RBTs, BCBA trainees, or BCaBAs during your certification cycle.

These CEUs must be focused specifically on supervision practices and completed within your 2-year recertification period.

Can I carry over unused CEUs to the next cycle?

No, CEUs cannot be carried over. All CEUs must be earned and applied within the current two-year certification cycle.

How do I report CEUs to the BACB?

Log in to your BACB account, navigate to the certification renewal section, and submit CEUs using the online form. Upload documentation as needed.

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