BACB Ethics Code Section 1

Scope of the Code

Applies to all BCBAs, BCaBAs, and anyone who has applied to sit for either of those certifications

Client

Direct recipient of the behavior analyst's services. One or more stakeholders may simultaneously meet definition of client (e.g., receiving training or consultation). Client might be a group of individuals (e.g., within OBM services).

Stakeholder

An individual, other than the client, who is impacted by and invested in the behavior analyst's services. Might include: parent, caregiver, relative, legal representative, employer, funder, etc.)

Core principles of the Code

1. Benefit others

2. Treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect

3. Behave with integrity

4. Ensure their competence

Application of the Code

Expected to be knowledgeable about and comply with the code

Standards of code not meant to be exhaustive and are meant to be applied to a situation using a functional, contextualized approach

Put compliance with the law and clients' interests first (maximize desired outcomes and minimize risk)

Ethical decision making

Identify problems and solutions with care and deliberation

Follow code's core principles and specific standards

Address ethical dilemmas through a structured decision-making process that considers full context of the situation and function of relevant ethics standards

Ethical decision making steps

1. Clearly define the issue and consider potential risk of harm to relevant individuals

2. Identify all relevant individuals

3. Gather relevant supporting documentation and follow-up on second-hand information to confirm that there is an actual ethical concern

4. Consider your personal learning history and biases in the context of the relevant individuals

5. Identify the relevant core principles and code standards

6. Consult available resources (e.g., research, decision-making models, trusted colleagues)

7. Develop several possible actions to reduce or remove risk of harm, prioritizing best interests of clients in accordance with the code and applicable laws

8. Critically evaluate each possible action

9. Select the action that seems most likely to resolve the specific ethical concern and reduce likelihood of similar issues arising in the future

10. Take selected action in collaboration with relevant individuals by the issue and document specific actions taken, agreed-upon next steps, names of individuals, and due dates

11. Evaluate the outcomes to ensure the action successfully addressed the issue

Behavior Analyst

Anyone who holds BCBA or BCaBA certification or who has submitted a complete application for BCBA or BCaBA certification

Conflict of Interest

An incompatibility between a behavior analysts' private and professional interests resulting in risk or potential risk to services provided to, or the professional relationship with a client/stakeholder/supervisee/trainee/research participant

Multiple Relationship

A comingling of two or more of a behavior analyst's roles (e.g., behavioral and personal) with a client, stakeholder, supervisee, trainee, research participant, or someone closely associated with or related to the client.

Scope of Competence

The professional activities a behavior analyst can consistently perform with proficiency.

Section 1

Responsibility as a Professional

1.01 Being Truthful

-Behavior analysts are truthful and arrange the professional environment to promote truthful behavior in others.

-Do not create situations that results in others engaging in fraudulent/illegal behavior that violates Code

-Provide truthful and accurate information to all required entities and individuals

-Correct instances of untruthful/inaccurate submissions as soon as aware

1.02 Conforming with Legal and Professional Requirements

-Follow the law

-Follow requirements of professional community (e.g., BACB, licensure board)

1.03 Accountability

-Accountable for actions and professional services

-Follow through on work commitments

-Take appropriate actions to directly address errors or commitments that cannot be met; first in interest of clients, then in interest of relevant parties

1.04 Practicing within a Defined Role

Behavior analysts provide services only after defining and documenting their professional role with relevant parties in writing.

1.05 Practicing within Scope of Competence

-Practice only within identified scope of competence

-Engage in professional activities in new areas (e.g., populations, procedures) only after accessing and documenting study, training, supervised experience, consultation, and/or co-treatment

-Refer or transition services if not

1.06 Maintaining Competence

-Actively engage in professional development activities to maintain and further their professional competence

-Reading relevant literature; attending conferences and conventions; participating in workshops and other training opportunities; obtaining additional coursework; receiving coaching, consultation, supervision, or mentorship; and obtaining and maintaining appropriate professional credentials

1.07 Cultural Responsiveness and Diversity

-Actively engage in PD activities to acquire knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and diversity

-Evaluate their own biases and ability to address the needs of individuals with diverse needs/ backgrounds

-Evaluate biases of their supervisees and trainees, as well as their supervisees' and trainees' ability to address the needs of individuals with diverse needs/backgrounds.

1.08 Nondiscrimination

-Do not discriminate against others.

-Behave toward others in an equitable and inclusive manner regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other basis proscribed by law

1.09 Nonharassment

Behavior analysts do not engage in behavior that is harassing or hostile toward others.

1.10 Awareness of Personal Biases and Challenges

-Maintain awareness that their personal biases or challenges (e.g., mental or physical health conditions; legal, financial, marital/relationship challenges) may interfere with the effectiveness of their professional work

-Take appropriate steps to resolve interference, ensure that their professional work is not compromised, and document all actions taken in this circumstance and the eventual outcomes.

1.11 Multiple Relationships

-Avoid entering into or creating multiple relationships, including professional, personal, and familial relationships with clients and colleagues.

-Communicate the risks of multiple relationships to relevant individuals and continually monitor for the development of multiple relationships

-If multiple relationships arise, behavior analysts take appropriate steps to resolve them.

-When immediately resolving a multiple relationship is not possible, behavior analysts develop appropriate safeguards to identify and avoid conflicts of interest in compliance with the Code and develop a plan to eventually resolve the multiple relationship.

-Behavior analysts document all actions taken in this circumstance and the eventual outcomes.

1.12 Giving and Receiving Gifts

-Exchange of gifts can invite conflicts of interest and multiple relationships

-Behavior analysts do not give gifts to or accept gifts from clients, stakeholders, supervisees, or trainees with a monetary value of more than $10 US dollars (or the equivalent purchasing power in another currency).

-Make clients and stakeholders aware of this requirement at the onset of the professional relationship.

-A gift is acceptable if it functions as an infrequent expression of gratitude and does not result in financial benefit to the recipient.

-Instances of giving or accepting ongoing or cumulative gifts may rise to the level of a violation of this standard if the gifts become a regularly expected source of income or value to the recipient.

1.13 Coercive and Exploitative Relationships

Behavior analysts do not abuse their power or authority by coercing or exploiting persons over whom they have authority (e.g., evaluative, supervisory).

1.14 Romantic and Sexual Relationships

-Do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders, trainees, or supervisees

-Such relationships pose a substantial risk of conflicts of interest and impaired judgment.

-Do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former clients or stakeholders for a minimum of two years from the date the professional relationship ended.

-Do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former supervisees or trainees until the parties can document that the professional relationship has ended (i.e., completion of all professional duties).

-Behavior analysts do not accept as supervisees or trainees individuals with whom they have had a past romantic or sexual relationship until at least six months after the relationship has ended.

1.15 Responding to Requests

-Make appropriate efforts to respond to requests for information from and comply with deadlines of relevant individuals (e.g., clients, stakeholders, supervisees, trainees) and entities (e.g., BACB, licensure boards, funders).

-Comply with practice requirements (e.g., attestations, criminal background checks) imposed by the BACB, employers, or governmental entities.

1.16 Self-Reporting Critical Information

Behavior analysts remain knowledgeable about and comply with all self-reporting requirements of relevant entities (e.g., BACB, licensure boards, funders).