BCBAs must complete 32 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to maintain their certification, including 4 CEUs in ethics and 3 CEUs in supervision training (for those who supervise). BCaBAs need 20 CEUs per cycle, with the same ethics and supervision requirements. Webinars from BACB-authorized providers count toward your full CEU obligation.
Every two years, BCBAs go through the same recertification drill: logging CEUs, tracking hours, and submitting their renewal application to the BACB. If you’re wondering whether online webinars can help you meet those requirements, or even cover all of them, the short answer is yes. But there’s a bit more to it than that.
Here’s what you actually need to know about BCBA certification requirements and how webinars fit into the continuing education picture.
How Many CEUs Does a BCBA Need?
The BACB requires BCBAs to earn 32 CEUs within each two-year certification cycle. That breaks down as:
- 4 CEUs in ethics
- 3 CEUs in supervision (required only if you supervise others)
- The remaining hours in any approved continuing education category
BCaBAs have a lighter load: 20 CEUs per cycle, with the same ethics and supervision hour minimums.
These requirements are spread across the two-year window, which sounds manageable. In practice, many practitioners find themselves scrambling in the second year, which is exactly when webinars start looking very attractive.
How Webinars Fit Into the BACB’s CEU Framework
The BACB recognizes seven categories of continuing education credit (Types 1-7):
- College or university coursework
- Credits from authorized continuing education (ACE) providers
- Non-authorized events
- Instructing type 1 or type 2 courses
- Credits issued directly by the BACB (e.g., required ethics code updates)
- Retaking the BCBA examination (rarely used in practice)
- Scholarly activities
Not all of these carry equal weight. Types 3, 5, and 7 can only account for 25 percent of your total CEUs. Type 4 (instructing) caps out at 50 percent. Types 1 and 2 have no such limits.
Webinars fall into types 2 and 3, depending on the provider. If the webinar is offered by an ACE provider, it counts as type 2, and type 2 credits can be used to satisfy your entire CEU requirement. That means you could, technically, complete all 32 hours from your laptop. For a full overview of the ABA certification levels offered by the BACB, including how BCaBA requirements compare, that resource is worth a look.
Should You Do All Your CEUs Online?
Just because you can do all your CEUs through webinars doesn’t mean you should. Here’s an honest take on the tradeoffs.
The case for webinars is real. ACE providers are producing high-quality content, often using the same instructors and curricula as in their in-person courses. You get flexibility, lower cost, and access to topics you might not find locally. If you’re in a rural area or juggling a heavy caseload, webinars can be a genuine lifeline.
But there’s something you give up. In-person training creates friction in the best sense: you’re in a room with colleagues, you can ask follow-up questions naturally, and you’re less likely to half-watch a presentation while answering emails. A lot of the professional development value in continuing education comes from those organic conversations that don’t happen on Zoom.
A reasonable approach for most BCBAs: use webinars for the majority of your hours, especially for niche topics that actually interest you, but commit to at least a quarter of your CEUs through in-person events like a local seminar, a regional conference, or a hands-on workshop. You’ll come back with more than just hours logged.
Teaching Webinars Counts Too
Here’s something a lot of BCBAs don’t realize: if you teach a continuing education course, including a webinar offered by an ACE provider, those instructor hours count toward your own CEU requirement under type 4 credits.
Teaching online holds all the same logistical advantages as taking a course online. You don’t need to travel, coordinate a venue, or manage room setup. ACE providers who offer webinar instruction typically handle the technical side of things, too.
It’s also a way to connect with practitioners from across the country who you’d never encounter in a local setting. If you have expertise worth sharing, it’s worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete all 32 BCBA CEUs through webinars?
Yes, if the webinars are offered by BACB-authorized continuing education (ACE) providers. Type 2 credits, which include ACE provider courses, have no cap on how much of your total CEU requirement they can fulfill. Non-authorized webinars fall under type 3, which is limited to 25 percent of your total hours.
What are the ethics CEU requirements for BCBA recertification?
BCBAs must complete 4 CEUs in ethics within each two-year recertification cycle. These must come from approved CEU sources and cover content aligned with the current BACB Ethics Code. Many ACE providers offer ethics-specific webinars that satisfy this requirement.
Are free BCBA CEU webinars legitimate?
Some are, some aren’t. The key is whether the provider is a BACB-authorized ACE. Free webinars from ACE providers are fully valid and count just as much as paid options. Always verify the provider’s ACE status through the BACB’s website before relying on a course for your renewal. Always retain your completion certificates in case of an audit.
How do I find BACB-authorized webinars?
The BACB maintains a searchable registry of ACE providers on its website at bacb.com. You can filter by delivery format (including online/webinar) and topic area. It’s the most reliable way to confirm that a course will count toward your renewal.
What’s the difference between BCBA and BCaBA CEU requirements?
BCBAs need 32 CEUs per two-year cycle. BCaBAs need 20. Both credentials require the same minimums for ethics (4 CEUs) and supervision training (3 CEUs, if applicable). The core difference is simply the total volume of continuing education required.
Key Takeaways
- CEU totals by credential: BCBAs need 32 CEUs every two years. BCaBAs need 20. Both require 4 ethics CEUs and 3 supervision CEUs if supervising.
- Webinars from ACE providers fully count: Type 2 credits, which include BACB-authorized ACE webinars, can cover your entire CEU requirement. There’s no cap.
- Non-authorized webinars have limits: Type 3 (non-authorized) webinars are capped at 25 percent of your total hours.
- Balance online and in-person: A mix of webinars and face-to-face learning gives you flexibility without sacrificing the professional value of real-world interaction.
- Teaching counts too: Teaching an ACE-approved webinar counts toward your own CEU requirement under type 4 credits.
Ready to explore ABA programs that can help you build on your credentials? Whether you’re working toward BCBA certification or looking to advance in the field, finding the right program is the next step.
