Free BCBA CEUs: Where to Find Continuing Education
Continuing education is an essential part of maintaining your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification and growing as a clinical professional. But finding free BCBA CEUs that meet Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requirements can sometimes feel overwhelming.
With online webinars, professional development courses, workshops, and recorded training sessions available, how can you tell which opportunities actually count toward your certification?
The good news is that free continuing education opportunities do exist. The key is knowing where to look, how to verify providers, and what to check before investing your time.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to find free CEUs for BCBAs, understand the difference between CEUs and PDUs, and choose continuing education opportunities that support your professional development.
What Are BCBA CEUs?
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) represent qualifying educational activities that help Board Certified Behavior Analysts maintain and expand their professional knowledge.
The BACB requires BCBAs to complete continuing education during their certification cycles to maintain their credentials.
Depending on the applicable requirements, continuing education may address topics such as:
- Ethical decision-making and professional responsibilities.
- Functional behavior assessment and intervention.
- Evidence-based treatment strategies.
- Supervision and staff training.
- Cultural and contextual responsiveness.
- Advances in behavior-analytic research.
- Clinical decision-making and treatment evaluation.
The purpose of continuing education extends beyond maintaining certification. High-quality training helps behavior analysts strengthen clinical judgment, evaluate emerging research, and deliver more effective, individualized services.
Where Can You Find Free BCBA CEUs Online?
If you’re searching for free CEUs for BCBAs, several types of organizations and educational platforms are worth exploring.
1. BACB Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Providers
One of the most reliable starting points is the BACB’s Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider Verification Registry.
ACE Providers are authorized to offer qualifying Learning continuing education events for BCBAs and BCaBAs.
Some providers offer complimentary webinars, promotional training sessions, or free educational events alongside their paid courses.
How to find opportunities:
- Visit the BACB ACE Provider Verification Registry.
- Search for an organization or individual offering continuing education.
- Confirm that their ACE authorization is current.
- Review their upcoming webinars or on-demand courses.
- Check whether the specific event awards qualifying CEUs and whether it has a registration or certificate fee.
Remember that ACE Provider authorization does not mean the BACB has individually approved or endorsed every course.
2. ABA Professional Associations
Professional organizations in applied behavior analysis may offer webinars, educational presentations, conferences, and member learning opportunities.
Organizations worth exploring include:
- Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
- Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).
- State and regional behavior analysis associations.
- University-affiliated behavior analysis programs.
Some events may be free, while others require membership or registration fees.
Before registering, confirm whether the event offers CEUs that qualify for your certification requirements. Not every professional webinar or conference presentation automatically awards CEUs.
3. Online ABA Webinars and Educational Events
Online learning has made professional education more accessible to behavior analysts with demanding clinical schedules.
Live webinars and recorded training sessions may cover topics such as functional assessment, replacement behaviors, ethics, caregiver collaboration, and clinical supervision.
When exploring online ABA training, look for:
- Clear learning objectives.
- Qualified instructors.
- Evidence-based educational content.
- Transparent CEU eligibility information.
- Attendance or completion requirements.
- Documentation of completed learning activities.
A free webinar can be an excellent educational resource, even when it does not offer qualifying BACB CEUs.
4. Employer-Sponsored Continuing Education
ABA organizations sometimes provide continuing education opportunities as part of their professional development programs.
These may include access to external ACE events, sponsored workshops, or reimbursement for qualifying training.
If you work for an ABA provider, consider asking whether the organization offers a continuing education budget or access to authorized training providers.
Routine staff meetings, case reviews, and internal training should not be assumed to qualify for CEUs unless they meet the applicable BACB requirements.
Free BCBA CEUs vs. RBT PDUs: What’s the Difference?
One of the most important distinctions in ABA professional education is the difference between Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Units (PDUs).
Although both support ongoing learning, they are not interchangeable.
| Category | BCBA CEUs | RBT PDUs |
|---|---|---|
| Intended audience | BCBAs and BCaBAs | Registered Behavior Technicians |
| Main purpose | Continuing education for behavior analysts | Ongoing professional development for RBTs |
| Typical content | Advanced behavior-analytic practice, research, ethics, and supervision | Practical RBT skills, ethical responsibilities, and foundational clinical applications |
| Credit eligibility | Must satisfy applicable BACB CE requirements | Must satisfy applicable BACB RBT professional development requirements |
Under the BACB’s 2026 professional development framework, RBTs have a separate PDU pathway.
An RBT PDU course does not automatically count as a BCBA CEU course.
Likewise, completing a BCBA continuing education event does not automatically provide RBT professional development credit.
Before enrolling, always check which credential the training supports.
How to Verify Whether a Course Qualifies for BACB CEUs
Finding a free training session is only the first step. Before counting it toward your certification requirements, verify its eligibility.
Step 1: Confirm the ACE Provider
Use the official BACB ACE Provider Verification Registry to confirm that the provider is currently authorized.
Step 2: Check the Specific Event
Review the event description to determine whether it offers qualifying Learning CEUs for BCBAs or BCaBAs.
A provider’s ACE authorization alone does not establish that every training it offers awards CEUs.
Step 3: Review the Credit Type
Check whether the event offers Learning CEUs, Ethics CEUs, or Supervision CEUs, as applicable.
These distinctions matter when meeting certification maintenance requirements.
Step 4: Understand the Completion Requirements
Depending on the event format, you may need to:
- Attend the required instructional portion.
- Complete attendance verification.
- Participate in required activities.
- Complete an assessment or evaluation, when applicable.
- Follow the provider’s certificate instructions.
Watching a video or registering for a webinar does not automatically establish CEU eligibility.
Step 5: Keep Your Documentation
Retain your completion documentation and report qualifying continuing education according to the BACB’s current requirements.
Keeping an organized record of your learning activities can make the recertification process easier.
Are Free BCBA CEUs as Valuable as Paid Courses?
Yes. A free continuing education event can offer meaningful professional value when it is relevant, well-designed, and delivered by qualified instructors.
The price of a course does not determine its educational quality or whether it satisfies BACB requirements.
Instead, consider the following questions:
- Is the content relevant to my clinical responsibilities?
- Does the training address current evidence and professional standards?
- Are the instructors qualified to teach the subject?
- Does the event provide practical knowledge I can apply?
- Does it award the specific continuing education credit I need?
Choosing continuing education based on learning outcomes—not just price—can help you make the most of your professional development.
How to Make the Most of Your BCBA Continuing Education
Rather than waiting until your recertification deadline approaches, consider creating a professional development plan.
Identify areas where you want to strengthen your expertise, such as assessment, ethical decision-making, caregiver collaboration, or clinical supervision.
Then look for training that addresses those specific needs.
You can also maintain a simple tracking system that records the course title, provider, completion date, credit type, and number of CEUs earned.
This approach helps you stay organized while making continuing education a meaningful part of your professional growth.
Explore ABA Continuing Education With The Behavior Change
At The Behavior Change, we believe ongoing learning is essential to responsible, evidence-informed ABA practice.
Our educational resources explore practical topics relevant to behavior analysts and ABA professionals, including assessment, ethical responsibilities, and effective intervention strategies.
Whether you’re expanding your clinical knowledge or exploring new approaches to everyday practice, our online training resources offer opportunities to keep learning.
Explore our educational resources:
Explore Continuing Education Courses
Explore Professional Development Units (PDUs)
Please review each course’s individual description to confirm its intended audience, price, credit eligibility, and completion requirements. Not all educational resources qualify for BACB continuing education credit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free BCBA CEUs
Can BCBAs earn CEUs for free?
Yes. Some authorized continuing education providers offer free events that award qualifying CEUs. However, availability varies, and some training may have associated registration or certificate fees.
Where can I find free BCBA CEUs online?
Start with the BACB ACE Provider Verification Registry, then explore authorized providers’ webinar calendars, professional associations, and relevant educational events. Always confirm the specific event’s CEU eligibility.
Do free ABA webinars count toward BCBA CEUs?
Not automatically. A webinar must meet the applicable BACB continuing education requirements to qualify. Free educational webinars can still be valuable even when they do not award CEUs.
Can I use RBT PDUs toward my BCBA CEU requirements?
No. RBT professional development events and BCBA continuing education events serve different certification requirements. RBT PDUs should not be counted as BCBA CEUs.
How do I know if a BCBA CEU provider is authorized?
Search the provider’s name or provider number in the official BACB ACE Provider Verification Registry. Then verify the particular event’s credit eligibility and completion requirements.
Do I receive CEUs just for watching a recorded ABA training video?
Not necessarily. A recorded training must be offered as a qualifying continuing education activity, and you must meet its documented completion requirements. Watching an educational video alone does not guarantee CEU credit.
Continue Learning With The Behavior Change
Professional growth doesn’t stop at certification. Explore educational resources designed to support clinical knowledge, thoughtful decision-making, and ongoing learning in applied behavior analysis.