The BACB provides a great resource for individuals to understand what is expected of them in the field. Most importantly, it also teaches professionals how to follow their code and comply with regulations.
The “bacb ethics code 2022” is the governing ethical code of the Board of Behavioral and Cognitive
Biological Psychiatry. It outlines the general principles that should be followed by all members in carrying out their duties.
The most current edition of the BACB ethical code, which applies to BCBAs, BCBA-Ds, and BCaBAs, was released in 2016. It establishes professional conduct guidelines for anybody working in the area of behavior analysis.
Professional conduct, client responsibility, behavior assessment, your position as a supervisor, and your duties to your colleagues, the BACB, and the profession of behavior analysis are all covered in the ethical code.
If you’re unsure if you need to report a violation, the BACB has materials to assist you figure out whether you do. You may be required to self-report personal information or to report an alleged violation by someone else.
It is your responsibility to notify the BACB of any reported infractions. The BACB will next conduct an investigation into the occurrence using standard code enforcement processes.
What is the BACB Code of Ethics?
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) created an ethical code to safeguard consumers. It ensures that all behavior analysts provide their clients and colleagues with high-quality, ethical care. Its purpose is to provide a basis for the safety of clients, BACB candidates, and already certified behavior analyzers in the field.
On January 1, 2016, the most current version of the BACB ethics code went into effect. The purpose was to create an updated uniform code of ethics for behavior analysts who are certified. All board certified behavior analysts must follow the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, which contains ten areas of professional and ethical obligations, including:
- Assistant behavior analysts with a board certification (BCaBAs).
- Behavior analysts with a board certification (BCBAs).
- Behavioral analysts with a PhD degree who are board certified (BCBA-D).
Individuals requesting for certification and professionals offering continuing education for behavior analysts are all covered by the ethical code, in addition to certified analysts.
Registered behavior technologists (RBT), who are also BACB certified, follow a somewhat different code of conduct. Here is a link to the RBT Ethics Code. Because RBTs are supervised by BCBAs, all BCBAs must be aware of this code of ethics.
Requirements of the BACB Ethics Code
The ethics code addresses all aspects of behavior that are significant to behavior analysts’ professional and ethical conduct. The code requires you to follow these guidelines and to notify the BACB ethics department of any modifications or infractions.
The following are the ten main parts of the ethical code:
- Behavior analysts and the behavior-change program: Behavior analysts are in charge of all parts of the behavior-change programs they work on, from conception to completion.
- Behavior analysts and research: All studies must be planned, carried out, and published in line with current scientific competency and research standards.
The codes given in the preceding sections are intended to serve as a guide to assist you explore the field of behavior analysis responsibly. Each of the items above has many sub-points that you should learn about as well. When you become a behavior analyst, you promise to follow all of these guidelines throughout your career.
Making a Violation Report
If you or someone you know has broken any of the ethical rules, you may report it to the BACB ethics department. Self-reporting and reporting an alleged violation are the two options for reporting. When you need to submit information about yourself to the ethics department, you may utilize the self-reporting technique.
Self-reporting is required in the following situations:
- Being the subject of an ethical requirement breach; a disciplinary inquiry, action, or consequence; the filing of charges; or a governmental agency, health-care organization, third-party payer, or educational institution’s conviction or plea of guilty or no contest.
- Being listed on any fines or penalties relating to public health or safety.
- Having a physical or mental health problem that might make it difficult for you to practice properly.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to disclose a change in your personal information such your name, address, or phone number. Your BACB account may be updated online with this information. A self-reporting considerations paper is provided to assist you in determining if you need to self-report to the BACB ethics section.
There is a distinct procedure to follow if you need to report someone else’s suspected ethical infraction. A paper titled “Considerations for Reporting Alleged Violations” is provided to assist you in determining whether or not an event should be reported and what supporting material you should acquire.
When you’ve determined that an alleged violation has to be reported, you’ll go through the following steps:
- On the first day, you submit the notification to the BACB and get an automatic response.
- The BACB Ethics Department sends you an official receipt confirmation by day 14.
- If your notification is rejected, you will be notified of the decision.
- If your notice is accepted, the violator will get a copy of the notice and any supporting papers, as well as a 15-day window to react.
- The notice of violation will be accepted or rejected by day 30.
- If the notification is denied, both the notifier and the subject of the violation will be notified.
- Procedures for enforcing the code are implemented if they are approved. At the appropriate times, the BACB notifies all parties involved for updates and actions.
Breaking the Code Has Consequences
If the ethics board chooses to pursue disciplinary action after reviewing an alleged breach, the code enforcement processes are followed. These protocols guarantee that each complaint is handled properly, with the subject being notified of the infraction and having the opportunity to reply and appeal. The case will be reviewed by an impartial third party, who will decide the sanctions.
When a notification of violation is acknowledged, the following are the procedures for violating the code of ethics:
- Suspension of eligibility or certification in its entirety. Individuals who fail to reply to the BACB’s request or comply with the implications of a disciplinary appeal may have their certification, application eligibility, or other status automatically suspended.
Accepted notifications of violation are routed either via an educational system, in which the subject of the infraction is offered instruction and assistance in order to lessen the risk of future violations, or through disciplinary review. Neither the subject of the infraction nor the person who reported it are permitted to be present at a disciplinary hearing. The review committee decides if the evidence given is adequate to establish the claimed breach and, if so, what the appropriate repercussions should be.
Corrective actions or penalties are examples of possible repercussions that an ethics commission might impose in a case. Corrective activities instruct the subject on how to resolve the violation and prevent it from happening again in the future.
The following are some examples of remedial actions:
- Professional growth is important.
- A word of caution is sent.
- Competency verification.
- Submission of a paper or a product.
Sanctions are official repercussions that are published on the BACB website and in the BACB record of the person until the punishment conditions are met. Sanctions may include the following:
- The subject’s BACB certification is revoked.
- Certification has been revoked.
- Suspension of certification.
- Suspension of eligibility.
- Restriction on the subject’s certification’s restrictions.
How strict is the BACB when it comes to enforcing the rules?
The BACB expects all BCBA practitioners to adhere to the code of ethics. Consumers and practitioners in the area of behavior analysis are both protected by the ethical code.
Certified behavior analyzers are expected to teach acceptable conduct and act as role models for the people with whom they work. The BACB fosters professional and ethical standards that benefit everyone touched by behavior analysis services by systematically defining and implementing the code of ethics.
References
The “bacb code of ethics 2020” is a document that gives guidance on how to navigate the BACB’s Ethics Code. The document can be found online, and it will also include information about who to contact if you have any questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the BACB Ethics Code?
A: The BACB Ethics Code is a set of guidelines that provide an ethical framework to be used when conducting business with the public and one another. It was created by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy in response to concerns about how counsellors are often working without clear guidance on ethics issues such as confidentiality, autonomy, consent and self-determination.
How do I cite the BACB code of ethics?
A: The BACB code of ethics is located in the Code of Ethics section on their website.
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Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.
