# What questions come up in BCBA interviews, and how should I answer?

> Common clinical, ethics and supervision questions, how to structure strong answers, and what to ask the employer.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/bcba-interview-questions
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** BCBA interviews usually cover clinical reasoning (for example, how you'd assess and treat a behavior), ethics scenarios, supervision and staff training, caregiver collaboration, and data-based decision making. Strong answers walk through your process: what you'd assess, what the data would tell you, what you'd try, and how you'd involve the client and family.

**Key takeaways**
- Expect **clinical scenarios, ethics, supervision** and **caregiver** questions.
- Answer with your **process**: assess, look at data, choose an approach, involve the family.
- Use **de-identified** examples from your work.
- **Ask your own questions** about caseload and support.

## What clinical questions are common?

- "A client's aggression has increased. What do you do?" Walk through **functional assessment**, safety, data review and a **function-based plan**. See [What is a functional behavior assessment?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/functional-behavior-assessment)
- "Progress has stalled on a goal. What next?" Talk about **checking procedural integrity**, reviewing data, and adjusting prompts, reinforcement or the goal itself.
- "How do you choose goals?" Mention **caregiver priorities**, **assessment results** and **socially meaningful** outcomes.

## What ethics questions come up?

Interviewers often ask about the BACB Ethics Code's core principles: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity and respect; behave with integrity; and ensure your competence.[1]

- "A parent asks you to add hours the data doesn't support." Explain how you'd **recommend based on need** and document your reasoning.
- "You're asked to take a case outside your competence." Describe **seeking supervision, training or referral**.

## What supervision questions come up?

- "How do you train a new RBT?" Describe **behavioral skills training**: instructions, modeling, rehearsal and feedback, until they meet a criterion.[3]
- "How do you give tough feedback?" Share a **specific, kind, behavior-focused** approach.

**Use a simple structure.** Situation, what you assessed, what you did, what the data showed, what you'd do differently. Keep each answer to about
  two minutes.

## What should I ask the employer?

**Try:**
- What's the caseload, and how is it adjusted?
- What are billable expectations?
- How do you support assent-based practice?
- What tools do you use for data and caregiver training?

**Skip:**
- Leaving without knowing the schedule
- Assuming CEU funding is included

**Know the outline.** The BCBA Test Content Outline is also a handy map of topics interviewers draw from.
  [2]

## What can I do before the interview?

- [ ] Prepare 3 de-identified case stories
- [ ] Practice explaining a graph out loud
- [ ] Write 5 questions for the employer

Read next: [How do I find a good BCBA job?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/finding-a-good-bcba-job)

## Common questions

### Will there be a skills test?

Some employers ask you to review a case, write a goal or interpret a graph. Practice explaining a graph out loud.

### How do I answer if I'm a new BCBA?

Draw on fieldwork examples and describe your process. Employers hiring new BCBAs care most about sound reasoning and a willingness to learn.

### Should I bring anything?

A de-identified sample, like a goal you wrote or a graph you analyzed, can help, as long as it contains no client information.

## Sources

1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board: Ethics codes. https://www.bacb.com/ethics-information/ethics-codes/
2. Behavior Analyst Certification Board: BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.). https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBA-6th-Edition-Test-Content-Outline-240903-a.pdf
3. Parsons MB, Rollyson JH, Reid DH. Evidence-based staff training: a guide for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391819

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.