ABA Professional Conduct and Supervision 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the BACB Ethics Code, behavior analysts must practice within their area of competence and seek additional training or supervision when:
- Working with a new population or using unfamiliar techniques (Correct answer)
- Working in any school-based setting
- Conducting preference assessments for the first time ever
- Using any form of reinforcement-based procedure
Correct answer: Working with a new population or using unfamiliar techniques
BCBAs must recognize the limits of their competence and obtain additional training, consultation, or supervision before working with new populations or applying unfamiliar procedures.
Question 2: A BCBA providing supervision to an RBT must ensure that the supervision meets what minimum percentage of the RBT's work hours per month?
- 5% (Correct answer)
- 2%
- 10%
- 15%
Correct answer: 5%
BACB standards require that BCBAs provide at least 5% of the RBT's total work hours per month in supervision, with at least half delivered in individual (one-on-one) format.
Question 3: The BACB's RBT Task List specifies which competencies?
- The skills RBTs must demonstrate to become certified and maintain certification (Correct answer)
- The coursework required for BCBA certification
- The research skills expected of doctoral-level behavior analysts
- The ethical principles specific to supervisors only
Correct answer: The skills RBTs must demonstrate to become certified and maintain certification
The RBT Task List outlines the specific skills and knowledge areas RBTs must demonstrate to obtain and maintain their certification under BCBA supervision.
Question 4: Which of the following is a key responsibility of a supervising BCBA regarding an RBT's implementation?
- Monitoring treatment integrity and providing corrective feedback (Correct answer)
- Allowing the RBT to develop behavior intervention plans independently
- Eliminating all direct supervision once the RBT passes their exam
- Delegating all data analysis to the RBT
Correct answer: Monitoring treatment integrity and providing corrective feedback
Supervising BCBAs are responsible for monitoring how accurately RBTs implement procedures (treatment integrity) and providing feedback to ensure client safety and effective outcomes.
Question 5: A conflict of interest in ABA practice refers to:
- A situation where personal or financial interests could compromise professional judgment (Correct answer)
- A disagreement between a BCBA and a client about treatment goals
- A scheduling conflict between supervision and direct service hours
- An ethical dilemma about using punishment procedures
Correct answer: A situation where personal or financial interests could compromise professional judgment
Conflicts of interest arise when a behavior analyst's personal, financial, or other interests have the potential to influence their professional decisions or actions in ways that may harm clients.
Question 6: Under the BACB Ethics Code, behavior analysts must report concerns about a colleague's unethical behavior by:
- First attempting to resolve the issue directly with the colleague if appropriate (Correct answer)
- Immediately reporting to BACB before speaking to the colleague
- Ignoring the behavior if it does not affect their own clients
- Only reporting if the behavior results in client injury
Correct answer: First attempting to resolve the issue directly with the colleague if appropriate
BACB ethics guidelines recommend attempting to resolve ethical concerns directly with the colleague first (when appropriate) before escalating to the BACB or other authorities.
ABA Professional Conduct and Supervision 1
According to the BACB Ethics Code, behavior analysts must practice within their area of competence and seek additional training or supervision when: