How to become a behavior technician in schools.

To become a behavior technician in schools you'll want to show hands-on field experience, a passion for working with children, and a dedication to professional & compassionate care. 

Steps to become a behavior technician in schools: 

1. Complete training in behavior intervention, working with children, disability services, or similar fields. 
2. Gain hands-on experience. 
3. Review state or positional licensing and certification requirements. 

Step 1: Complete training. 

The role of a behavior technician doesn’t require a specific course of education or a specific college degree; however, being educated in the field can be vital to understanding the populations we serve and the role you’ll be asked to fill. Having training in behavior intervention, working with children, disability services, or similar fields can set up apart as a job candidate.

Many behavior technicians come into this role while pursuing specialized careers such as becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Pathologist, Social Worker, or other similar fields. The work of a behavior technician can help you learn more about these fields and decide on a career path that you are truly passionate about.  

There are also less formal training options that don’t require college enrollment. You can take online courses in behavior analysis or the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training sequence. Reading expertise on interventions that work with children with autism or emotional disorders can be a great source of informal education as well.

Step 2: Gain hands on experience.   

If this is your first time working as a behavior technician or in a school setting, that’s okay. You can gain experience in many ways that will translate to skills you can apply as a behavior technician. 

Paid work and volunteer experiences can teach great skills that will be an asset to your role as a behavior technician. Many candidates find opportunities in their community through working with the special recreation association, volunteering with their local Special Olympics chapter, working as a babysitter or mother’s helper to a family with children with behavioral needs, or experiences working in daycare settings where you manage evolving needs of different children throughout the day.

Experience working with kids and knowing you have a passion for supporting this population is the best first step! And if you’re able to have some of that experience also with individuals with autism or other behavior-impacting diagnoses, that’s a bonus.   

Step 3: Review state or positional licensing and certification requirements. 

Take time to review state and national certifications requirements. While roles as a “behavior technician” are often unregulated in this sense, there are state-specific requirements as well as the opportunity to obtain the nationally certified Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential.  

Some states require that all individuals working in behavior support roles carry a paraprofessional licensure, regulated by the state board of education. In those states, there is also likely a formal education requirement for eligibility as well as ongoing professional development requirements.  

If you choose to pursue the RBT credential, that comes with a different set of requirements for specific training content, practical skill demonstration, and ongoing supervision.  

None of these options are better or worse, just considerations to make to ensure you are successful in getting the behavior technician job you’re looking for.  

What does a behavior technician do in a school setting?  

Behavior technicians, along with others on the behavior support team, seek to understand the underlying cause of behavior and develop strategies to make socially significant changes in behavior. 

• Provide individual and group intervention to students based on BIPs and goal guidance from BCBAs, LBSs, and other case managers
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student interventions 
• Deliver crisis intervention and support, as needed 
• Collaborate with teachers, case managers, and administrators to support students' holistic development   

We're here to help you make a difference. 

At Pediatric Therapeutic Services, a Kelly Company, we're here to help you move your career forward. We hire behavior technicians, registered behavior technicians, behavior specialist consultants, BCBAs, school social workers, and LSW or LCSW for behavioral & mental health therapy.

If you’re interested in working with students in the behavioral health field within a school-based environment, we invite you to learn more about joining our team.