Budgeting for the RBT exam? Good call. The fees aren’t huge, but they add up fast if you need to reschedule or retake. Here’s every cost you’ll pay in 2026, taken straight from the BACB’s RBT Handbook.
The Short Answer: $110 for Your First Attempt
Your first attempt at the RBT exam costs $110. That’s two separate payments:
- $65 certification application processing fee, paid to the BACB
- $45 exam appointment, paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule
BACB fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable, so make sure your application is ready before you pay.
What a Retake Costs
There’s no BACB fee for a retake application right now. But every new exam appointment costs another $45 with Pearson VUE. You get up to 8 attempts within 12 months of your application approval, and you have to wait 7 days between attempts.
The bigger cost is the odds. In 2025 only 38% of retakers passed, compared with 75% of first-time candidates (see the full pass rates). The cheapest attempt is the one you only take once.
Rescheduling and Cancellation Fees
Life happens. Here’s what moving your appointment costs:
- 31 days or more before the exam: no fee
- 30 to 5 days before: $27
- 5 days to 48 hours before: $32
- Within 48 hours: you can’t cancel or reschedule, and there’s no refund
Running late? Arrive more than 30 minutes after your appointment time and you’ll be turned away, and the $45 is gone. Same if you don’t show up at all.
Costs Before You Can Apply
The exam fees are only part of the picture. Before you apply, you’ll need:
- 40-hour training. Prices vary a lot by provider. Compare free and low-cost training options, and check each provider’s pass rate before you pay for one.
- The initial competency assessment. A qualified assessor checks you on 19 tasks. Who pays depends on where you do it, so ask up front. Our competency assessment guide explains how it works.
- Background checks. A criminal background check and an abuse registry check, each completed within 180 days before you pay your application. Costs depend on your state and provider.
After You Pass: Staying Certified
- $50 for the 2-year recertification application (from January 1, 2026)
- $50 late fee if you apply during the reinstatement period
- $25 to go on voluntary inactive status, and $25 to come back
- $25 for a written verification letter (anyone can request one, so an employer might)
Here’s the full process for renewing your RBT certification.
The Bottom Line
Set aside $110 for the exam itself, plus a little extra in case you need to move your date. Then protect that money by walking in ready. Take a free full-length RBT practice test first and see exactly where you stand!
