BCBA Exam (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) — All Questions

At the end of the year a client's parent offers the behavior analyst a $50 restaurant gift card as thanks. Under the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, the behavior analyst should

• a.accept it, since one holiday gift a year is allowed
• b.accept it and disclose the gift to the funder
• c.decline it, because gifts over $10 are not permitted✓
• d.accept it if the parent signs a gift statement

Code 1.12 bars giving gifts to or accepting gifts from clients, stakeholders, supervisees or trainees with a monetary value of more than $10 US, and asks behavior analysts to tell clients about this at the start of the relationship. An infrequent gift is acceptable only within that value limit, so the one-time nature of this gift does not make $50 acceptable. Disclosure to a funder or a signed statement does not create an exception.

A behavior analyst's services to a child ended when the family moved away. How long must the behavior analyst wait before beginning a romantic relationship with the child's parent, a former stakeholder?

• a.At least one year from the date of the final report
• b.At least two years after the relationship ended✓
• c.At least six months from the end of services
• d.No waiting period once services have ended

Code 1.14 prohibits romantic or sexual relationships with former clients or stakeholders for a minimum of two years from the date the professional relationship ended. The six-month period in the same standard applies to a different situation: accepting a former romantic partner as a supervisee or trainee. No standard sets a one-year period, and a relationship immediately after services end is prohibited.

A BCBA ended a romantic relationship with a colleague who now wants to accrue fieldwork under the BCBA's supervision. Under the Ethics Code, the BCBA may accept this person as a trainee

• a.at no point, because a past relationship bars it
• b.only after at least two years have passed since it ended
• c.immediately, if another supervisor co-signs forms
• d.only after at least six months have passed since it ended✓

Code 1.14 states that behavior analysts do not accept as supervisees or trainees individuals with whom they had a past romantic or sexual relationship until at least six months after that relationship has ended. The two-year period applies to former clients and stakeholders, not to supervisees. A co-signer does not remove the requirement, and the Code sets a waiting period rather than a permanent bar.

For how long does the Ethics Code require behavior analysts to retain their supervision documentation, unless a law or other party requires longer?

• a.At least 5 years
• b.Until the trainee is certified
• c.At least 7 years✓
• d.At least 3 years

Code 4.05 requires behavior analysts to retain their supervision documentation for at least 7 years and as otherwise required by law and other relevant parties, and to instruct their supervisees or trainees to do the same. Shorter periods, or a period tied to when the trainee becomes certified, do not meet the standard.

The marketing manager of an ABA agency asks the clinical director, a BCBA, to collect written testimonials from families currently receiving services for use in online advertising. The BCBA should

• a.solicit them only from families who report good progress
• b.solicit them only if names and photos are left out
• c.not solicit them and try to remediate the practice✓
• d.solicit them after getting each family's informed consent

Code 5.07 states that behavior analysts do not solicit testimonials from current clients or stakeholders for advertisements designed to obtain new clients, because of the risk of undue influence and implicit coercion, and that a behavior analyst employed by an organization that does so makes reasonable efforts to remediate the situation. Consent, positive outcomes and anonymity do not remove the prohibition; the solicitation itself is the problem.

A parent gives written consent for a BCBA to share a video of her son's progress. The BCBA plans to post it on her personal Instagram account. Under the Ethics Code, this is

• a.permitted, because the parent gave written informed consent
• b.not permitted on a personal account✓
• c.permitted, if the account is set to private
• d.permitted, if the child's face is blurred

Code 5.10 states that behavior analysts do not publish information or digital content of clients on their personal social media accounts and websites. Informed consent, along with a disclaimer and steps to limit sharing, is what the Code requires for posting on professional accounts; it does not make posting on a personal account acceptable. Privacy settings and blurring do not change that.

A teacher at a child's after-school program, who is not on the treatment team, asks the child's BCBA about the child's diagnosis. No release of information exists. The BCBA should

• a.decline to share it without the parent's informed consent✓
• b.share it verbally, since nothing is put in writing
• c.share only the diagnosis but not the treatment plan
• d.share it, since the teacher works directly with the child

Code 2.04 allows sharing confidential information only with informed consent, to protect the client or others from harm, to resolve contractual issues, to prevent a crime likely to cause harm, or when compelled by law or court order. None applies here, so the BCBA seeks the parent's consent first. Working with the child, sharing only part of the information, or sharing it orally are not listed exceptions.

Under Code 2.15, when may a behavior analyst recommend a punishment-based procedure?

• a.Whenever caregivers prefer a faster reduction in problem behavior
• b.After one week of reinforcement-based treatment without progress
• c.After less intrusive means fail or risk of harm demands it✓
• d.Only after a court order authorizes its use

Code 2.15 permits restrictive or punishment-based procedures only after showing that desired results were not obtained with less intrusive means, or when an existing intervention team determines that the risk of harm to the client outweighs the risk of the procedure; required reviews such as a human rights committee must also be followed. Caregiver preference, a fixed waiting period, or a court order are not the conditions the Code names.

A client who has had little self-injury begins hitting the side of his head and pulling at one ear, starting suddenly last week. What should the behavior analyst do first?

• a.Add a response-cost procedure for head hitting
• b.Put head hitting on extinction right away
• c.Start a functional analysis the same week
• d.Refer for a medical evaluation and follow up✓

Code 2.12 requires behavior analysts to ensure, as far as they can, that medical needs are assessed and addressed when there is a reasonable likelihood that behavior is influenced by medical or biological variables, and to document the referral and follow up. Sudden head hitting with ear pulling could indicate pain such as an ear infection. Assessment or procedures that ignore that possibility come later, if at all.

A BCBA's next-door neighbor, a close friend, asks the BCBA to provide ABA services for her son. Other qualified providers are available in the area. What is the most appropriate response?

• a.Decline and refer the family to another provider✓
• b.Accept and bill the family at a discounted rate
• c.Accept and ask the neighbor not to discuss it socially
• d.Accept, since the friendship will help build rapport

Code 1.11 directs behavior analysts to avoid entering into or creating multiple relationships, including personal and professional ones, because they risk conflicts of interest. When other providers are available, the multiple relationship can be avoided by referring. Reduced fees, rapport, or asking the friend for discretion do not remove the conflict, and a discount adds a financial dimension to it.

A BCBA with experience only in early intervention is asked by her employer to take on a child with a severe feeding disorder. She has no training in feeding. Under Code 1.05, she should

• a.decline, since BCBAs may not treat feeding problems
• b.accept but tell the family she is still learning feeding
• c.accept, since behavioral principles apply to all behavior
• d.get documented training or consultation, or refer✓

Code 1.05 says behavior analysts practice only within their scope of competence and enter new areas only after accessing and documenting appropriate study, training, supervised experience, consultation or co-treatment; otherwise they refer or transition services. General knowledge of principles is not competence in a specialized area, and telling the family does not satisfy the standard. Feeding is not off-limits to behavior analysts who are competent in it.

A BCBA also offers a sensory-diet program that is not behavioral. According to the Ethics Code, how must she present it on her website?

• a.Remove her BCBA credential from the entire website
• b.Label it with the Code's required nonbehavioral disclaimer✓
• c.List it with her ABA services under her certification
• d.Include it only if a parent requests it in writing

Code 5.06 bars advertising nonbehavioral services as behavioral services and requires the disclaimer 'These interventions are not behavioral in nature and are not covered by my BACB certification' alongside the names and descriptions of all nonbehavioral interventions. Listing it under her certification is the prohibited practice. The Code does not require a written request from a parent or removal of her credential.

A family asks a BCBA to recommend a speech-language pathologist. The BCBA's spouse owns a local speech clinic. Under Code 3.13, the BCBA should

• a.refer to the spouse's clinic and waive the referral fee
• b.refer only to the spouse's clinic, since she trusts its quality
• c.offer several providers and disclose the relationship✓
• d.avoid naming any clinic to prevent a conflict of interest

Code 3.13 requires referrals based on the client's needs that include multiple providers when available, with disclosure of any relationships with potential providers and any fees or incentives, and documentation of the referral. Referring only to the spouse's clinic, even without a fee, conceals the relationship and limits choice. Refusing to refer does not serve the family's needs.

A BCBA sees a registered behavior technician slap a client during a session, leaving a mark. According to the Ethics Code's guidance on addressing misconduct, what should happen first?

• a.Document it and report it to the BACB first
• b.Wait for a second incident before reporting it
• c.Discuss it privately with the technician to resolve it
• d.Report it at once to the relevant authorities✓

The Code's 'Application of the Code' section states that criminal activity or behavior placing clients at risk of direct and immediate harm should be reported immediately to the relevant authorities before reporting to the BACB or a licensure board; Code 3.01 also requires compliance with mandated reporting laws. Resolving concerns directly with a colleague is appropriate only when it will likely resolve the issue without undue risk, which is not the case with physical harm. Waiting for a second incident leaves the client at risk.

A BCBA discovers that, for three months, her agency billed parent-training sessions as direct one-to-one therapy. Under Code 2.06, she should

• a.report only to the BACB and wait for an audit
• b.repay the funder privately without documenting it
• c.fix future billing and leave past claims as they are
• d.notify relevant parties, correct it, and document✓

Code 2.06 requires behavior analysts to identify their services accurately and, when inaccuracies in billing are discovered, to inform all relevant parties (for example organizations, licensure boards and funders), correct the inaccuracy in a timely manner, and document all actions and outcomes. Correcting only future claims, waiting for an audit, or repaying without documentation each omit part of that requirement.

A BCBA wants to add a new component to a client's behavior plan that substantially changes how problem behavior is handled. Under Code 2.11, what must she do before implementing it?

• a.Obtain informed consent again for the change✓
• b.Get approval from the registered behavior technician
• c.Note the change in the next progress report
• d.Implement it and then explain it at the next meeting

Code 2.11 lists making substantial changes to interventions as one of the conditions requiring informed consent, and holds the behavior analyst responsible for explaining, re-obtaining and documenting it; Code 2.16 adds that modifications are explained before implementation. Reporting the change later, or getting a technician's agreement, does not satisfy either standard.