BCBA Code of Ethics and Professional Standards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from chapters on behavior analyst ethical codes, recertification requirements, confidentiality limits, service discontinuation guidelines, and landmark federal court rulings.

Behavior Analyst (Code Definition)

Any individual who holds a BCBA or BCBA certification who has submitted a complete application for BCBA, referring to those required to act in accordance with the code.

Four Core Principles of the Code

Benefit others; compassion, dignity and respect; integrity; competence.

Client Welfare

The number one priority for a behavior analyst.

Corrective Actions for Risk of Unethical Behavior

Professional development and mentorship.

Five Disciplinary Sanctions

Invalidation, revocation, suspension, practice, and supervision.

Scope of Competence

Professional activities a behavior analyst can consistently perform with proficiency, including interventions, behaviors, age groups, and diagnoses.

Recertification Cycle Length

Two years, requiring a total of 32 continuing education (CE) units for a BCBA.

Required CEs in Ethics

Four units per two-year recertification cycle.

Required CEs in Supervision

Three units per two-year recertification cycle.

HIPAA

The federal law under which client confidentiality is protected.

Limits to Confidentiality

Conditions permitting or requiring disclosure, including protecting clients from immediate harm to self/others, obtaining informed consent to disclose, obtaining payment, preventing potential crimes, or complying with court orders.

Digital Content and Social Media Standards

Obtain informed consent before publishing/sharing, include disclaimers, reduce sharing potential, prevent information misuse, and document all actions and outcomes.

Conditions for Discontinuation of Services

Six conditions: client met behavior change goals, client is not benefiting, analyst/trainee exposed to unresolvable harmful conditions, client/stakeholder requests it, stakeholders fail to comply despite efforts, or services are no longer funded.

Former Clients (Relationships)

Requires waiting at least two years after the end of the professional relationship before entering a romantic or sexual relationship.

Former Romantic or Sexual Partners as Supervisees

Former romantic or sexual partners may become supervisees or trainees after six months have passed from the end of the relationship.

Cultural Humility

An ongoing process of self-reflection and lifelong learning that involves recognizing and addressing one's own prejudices and biases.

Three Supervisory Roles

Supervisor, assessor, and trainer.

Hancock versus Avery

A federal court ruling that protects a client by limiting the duration and placing conditions on the use of a timeout procedure.

Wyatt versus Stickney

A federal court ruling establishing that involuntarily institutionalized individuals with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities have a right to treatment.