Building Your Brand as an RBT on the Path to Becoming a BCBA

When you’re working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), it can feel like you’re “just starting out.” You’re implementing programs, collecting data, and supporting clients—but in the back of your mind, you’re thinking about the next step: becoming a BCBA.

What many don’t realize is that you don’t have to wait until you pass your exam to start building your professional identity. Your RBT years can be the foundation of your brand, your voice, and even your future business.

I know this because it’s exactly how my journey began.

Failure Was My Push Forward

Like many others, I didn’t pass my BCBA exam on the first try. At the time, it felt like a setback—but in reality, it was the push that sparked my first wave of entrepreneurship. I started creating resources, sharing study strategies, and talking openly about the challenges I faced. That vulnerability built trust, and that trust grew into community.

That was the birth of The ABA Alchemist.

Ways to Build Your Brand as an RBT

1. Create Meaningful Content

Whether it’s a podcast, a blog, or short-form social media posts, share what you’re learning. You don’t have to be a BCBA to add value—your perspective as an RBT is powerful.

• I started a podcast to break down ABA concepts and connect with others studying for the exam.

• I shared my failures and growth, not just the polished wins.

👉 Tip: Consistency matters more than perfection. Your story will resonate with people who see themselves in you.

2. Develop Study Materials

As you study, turn your notes and strategies into tools that others can use.

• I built mock questions, guides, and study prompts that eventually became part of my shop.

• What started as my personal study notes turned into resources that now help hundreds of others.

👉 Tip: If you’re solving a problem for yourself, chances are someone else has the same need.

3. Start or Join a Study Group

Studying alone can feel isolating. Study groups not only reinforce learning but also create genuine connections.

• As an RBT, I built study communities where we encouraged one another and held each other accountable.

• Those connections became friendships, collaborations, and future professional partnerships.

👉 Tip: Use your study group as a space to practice leadership—organize, guide, and support others.

4. Build Mentorships

Seek guidance from those further along in their careers—and offer mentorship to those just starting.

• I asked questions, shadowed experienced clinicians, and wasn’t afraid to admit when I needed help.

• Later, I mentored newer RBTs, which deepened my own knowledge and built my leadership skills.

👉 Tip: Mentorship is a two-way street. Be open to learning and to giving back.

5. Leverage Your Social Media Handle

For me, The ABA Alchemist started as a way to document my journey online. Over time, it became a brand—something bigger than me, something others could recognize, follow, and connect with.

👉 Tip: Choose a handle that reflects your voice and vision. Share your journey authentically, and your brand will grow alongside you.

Why This Matters

By building your brand early—before you’re a BCBA—you’re not just preparing for a career, you’re laying the groundwork for:

• Entrepreneurship opportunities.

• Professional credibility.

• A supportive community.

• The chance to impact the field beyond direct therapy.

Your journey to becoming a BCBA doesn’t start when you pass the exam—it starts now, as an RBT. Every note you take, every study session, every post, and every connection is part of your brand story.

For me, failure wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. It was the spark that built The ABA Alchemist, a platform that combines mentorship, resources, and community.

So start today. Share your story. Build your network. And remember: your brand isn’t just about business—it’s about creating meaningful impact in the field of ABA.