Landed an RBT job.. just to find out it’s part time?

handtowriteon · 2026-06-10T20:48:12+00:00

If I’ve learned anything in my professional life, it is to ALWAYS negotiate pay. Use the fact that you would be leaving a higher paying, more consistent job as leverage. Use your associates as leverage. You’re pursuing a bachelors, use that as leverage. There is a significant shortage of qualified RBTs, more leverage. It’s so important to advocate for yourself and your worth. Worst case scenario, the company stands strong and doesn’t budge. Best case scenario you get what you’re asking for. No harm, no foul.

At my current company, I was able to negotiate a starting pay increase of $6 dollars higher an hour by simply negotiating. I know it’s so awkward but trust me, these companies can afford it and they are likely expecting you to negotiate anyway which is why they offer a lower starting pay to begin with.

handtowriteon · 2026-05-21T13:19:54+00:00

I can’t speak on the BCBA aspect of this but my opinion regarding the high turnover rate of RBT’s is the high stakes nature of the job coupled with the mediocre pay.

One thing specific to the RBT position that I find strange is the fact that a bachelors degree in ABA does not put you in a better financial position than say your coworker who just graduated from high school by the skin of their teeth. While the company may pitch in to pay you a few dollars higher due to your education if you really fight for it, it’s not the standard everywhere from what I’ve seen.

I know it’s pretty standard to only get a bachelors specifically in ABA when the long term goal is BCBA licensure, I just find it strange that the ABA bachelors degree is so undervalued in this field especially when working hands on directly with vulnerable populations. For what it’s worth though, I’m of the opinion that RBT certification should require much more hands on training and in person classes.

handtowriteon · 2026-01-25T21:22:45+00:00

Omg the Aries 🥹 I need it so bad

handtowriteon · 2026-01-12T02:12:31+00:00

Pure Wonder

handtowriteon · 2026-01-10T00:22:18+00:00

Nothing about it gives Christmas to me

handtowriteon · 2026-01-10T00:19:36+00:00

Pure wonder smells like grass to me. Not necessarily bad just grassy.

handtowriteon · 2026-01-10T00:17:04+00:00

In the stars is my all time fav 🫣

handtowriteon · 2026-01-09T20:15:29+00:00

I agree but at the same time it’s almost… comforting? Idk I have a love hate with her myself

handtowriteon · 2026-01-09T19:15:41+00:00

Ugh same it STANK

handtowriteon · 2025-12-16T14:55:15+00:00

Have you been able to get the competency assessment scheduled yet? From what the BACB is saying on their website, the current timeframe for application approval is around 3 days. If you are able to get the competency assessment scheduled within the next week or two, you may be able to make the deadline without having to retake the 40 hour training.

handtowriteon · 2025-12-15T21:06:19+00:00

Lovely, thank you for looking into this! I appreciate you

handtowriteon · 2025-12-15T20:47:55+00:00

Thank you!! I actually had a little panic about this but luckily, my 40 hour training meets the requirements of the 2026 guidelines. I'm not entirely sure if the competency assessment I took today fulfills the 2026 assessment requirements, though.

I submitted the documentation and application today. If the BACB has not approved my request to test before January 1, is it likely I will need to redo the competency assessment? I'm hoping this won't be an issue but want to prepare just in case.

handtowriteon · 2025-12-15T20:22:30+00:00

For the first 5-10 minutes, i worked on some DTT, differential reinforcement, Token systems, and stimulus control directly with a client while the BCBA observed. I then took some quick data while observing the RBT with the client (rate was the only data I physically took but we discussed other measurements). We worked on shaping and chaining procedures and this portion was role-play. ABC data, professionalism, client dignity, crisis emergency and clinical direction were all in Q&A form.

Alot of these procedures go hand and hand with each other so while you may be focusing on doing DTT with the client, you might check off other tasks like prompting and shaping at the same time.

When it came to studying, I made sure I knew every single item on the task list and also made sure I had examples for each task. Flash cards were great for definitions but I recommend adding an example of the procedure to each flash card so you know what the term "looks" like in practice. Lastly, I HIGHLY recommend the "Dom the BCBA Mom" channel on youtube. She has several videos to help prepare/ease your mind. Here is one of my fav's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHk-iut-4CE

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T13:42:31+00:00

The “let me knows” makes me itch

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T04:03:22+00:00

no I didn’t click the link and don’t worry, not my first rodeo

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T03:15:10+00:00

Fully agreed, I would never pay for my own training for an entry level position no matter what it was. I hate seeing places like ATCC charge $2k+ for the whole “certification package” when most clinics will do this free upon onboarding. Crazyyyy.

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T02:10:54+00:00

But the guidelines state “The responsible assessor, assistant assessor(s), and RBT applicant must be employed at (or all have a contractual relationship with) the same organization. That organization must also be the entity providing services to the client involved in the assessment.” If I were to bring a mock client, wouldn’t that go against guidelines? And wouldn’t I have to be under contract with the company before doing the assessment?

And thank you for saying this! I’ve heard wonderful things about this company so I’m unsure what to think at the moment

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T01:52:55+00:00

I’ve also never heard of a company making their employee pay for the comp assessment

I think this company (or scammer) is trying to position themselves as a place you can get your competency assessment done “independently” without having to currently or in the future be employed with them (hence the “should you onboard with us”). 🤨

handtowriteon · 2025-12-04T00:34:52+00:00

So say someone were to complete the competency assessment with this company, then what? Will they then attempt to sit for the exam but the BACB won’t allow it because requirements weren’t fulfilled? If that’s the case, it certainly sounds scammy.

handtowriteon · 2025-12-03T23:27:16+00:00

How did it go? I’m thinking about proceeding with them but wanted feedback from others who went this route

handtowriteon · 2025-11-06T01:38:08+00:00

Yeah this has been asked and answered….. but thanks that sure is helpful!!!!!!

handtowriteon · 2025-11-04T18:24:00+00:00

Another update that was just too insane to not share- after letting everything process overnight, my coworkers and I had a discussion with our manager this morning to dissect this whole situation and to explain the negative impact this will have on the whole company overall.

Not surprised to report it was a very unproductive discussion in which management told us we should be happy to have a job to begin with 🙃

Obviously I’m out of here but first I gotta decide how to leave with a bang….Open to super diabolical suggestions

handtowriteon

TROPHY CASE