More than 1,000 RBTs Have Become BCBAs Through ABC’s Paid Everest Program

Thinking about becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®)? At Action Behavior Centers, you don't have to map out the path alone or pay for every step yourself.

Since launching on January 1, 2024, ABC's Everest Program has led to more than 1,000 BCBA promotions. Everest is a paid RBT-to-BCBA program. It supports Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®) through graduate school, supervised fieldwork, and BCBA exam prep. Experienced ABC clinicians guide participants at each step.

Interest keeps growing. Participation grew 79% from 2024 to 2025, and 921 RBTs enrolled as Everest Trainees in those two years.

“The launch of ABC’s Everest program symbolized a continued commitment to trainees and responsible supervisors,” said Samantha Salinas, BCBA, LBA, Vice President of Clinical Services at ABC. “ABC has always prioritized responsible, high-quality fieldwork experiences. The Everest program took us one step further by enhancing structure, benefits, and clear growth trajectories.”

Why ABC grows BCBAs from within

ABC provides evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at hundreds of locations nationwide. When you complete your fieldwork in an ABC center, you start your BCBA career already knowing ABC's clinical standards. You'll also know how BCBAs set individualized goals in collaboration with families, and you'll already know the team you'll supervise.

Developing BCBAs from within also helps ABC expand access to ABA therapy for more autistic children and their families. Learn more about what a BCBA does at ABC.

What the Everest Program offers on the path from RBT to BCBA

Everest helps cover the time and cost of becoming a BCBA, with mentorship along the way. Here’s what you get:

• Paid RBT training and certification
• No-cost restricted and unrestricted fieldwork supervision
• Incentive pay for unrestricted hours
• Paid study time off the schedule
• Access to study materials and live sessions
• Behavior Development Solutions (BDS) exam prep modules
• Discounted tuition through university partners
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Up to a $5,000 bonus for passing the BCBA exam

Many teammates start in ABA therapist careers at ABC. Curious what that looks like? Read about a day in the life of an RBT at ABC.

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BCBA fieldwork supervision at every step

Becoming a BCBA takes more than logging fieldwork hours. You need personal mentorship, real clinical experience, and time to build the skills and confidence to lead your own caseload. Everest supports you through every stage.

Small supervision groups

To protect the quality of your mentorship, ABC limits each supervisor to two trainees. Clinical Directors supervise one trainee. Want to see what clinical leadership looks like? Read about a day in the life of a BCBA Clinical Director at ABC.

Supervisors also attend monthly professional development sessions led by leaders in the field of ABA. ABC's own apps make fieldwork easier to manage. They help you track documentation and professional development milestones, and they show you where you stand for promotion.

Learn more: Inside ABC’s BCBA Supervisor Book Clubs with Dr. Linda LeBlanc

BCBA exam prep for Rising Stars

Rising Star is one of the last steps before you become a BCBA. At this step, you’ll get a 300-hour curriculum that prepares you to practice as a BCBA at ABC. You’ll also get:

• Exam prep resources
• Dedicated study time
• Financial incentives for finishing curriculum requirements and passing the BCBA exam

ABC covers the cost of up to two BCBA exam attempts for all eligible teammates.

A new 900-hour Everest Curriculum

ABC is building a 900-hour Everest Curriculum to make fieldwork even stronger. It's aligned with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) sixth edition Test Content Outline.¹ The curriculum will give you competency-based learning and unrestricted activities tied to day-to-day clinical work.

Supervision guides and feedback resources will help supervisors give every trainee a consistent learning experience across ABC centers.

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Tuition discounts and student loan support for RBTs and BCBAs

ABC pairs Everest with education and student loan benefits through ABC Foundations. They lower the cost of a behavior analysis career at every stage, from starting your master's degree to paying down loans after you're certified.

Save up to 25% on your behavior analysis degree

ABC partners with universities to offer you tuition discounts of up to 25% on graduate and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis. Discounts apply whether you're a new student or already enrolled. Still choosing a school? Compare options in our guide to the Top ABA Graduate Programs for 2026.

Lower your student loan rate with SoFi®

Already have student loans? Through ABC's partnership with SoFi®, all active teammates can refinance their loans. Teammates who refinance lower their rate to around 4% on average.

After six months on the job, ABC also puts up to $600 per year toward your loan's principal balance. You'll get access to no-cost credit score monitoring, budgeting tools, and other financial wellness resources, too.

Everest Program FAQs

Is the Everest Program paid?

Yes. Everest is a paid RBT-to-BCBA fellowship. You get paid RBT training and certification, paid study time off the schedule, and no-cost fieldwork supervision.

Who can join the Everest Program?

Your Everest journey starts when you work at ABC as a Behavioral Therapist (BT) or RBT. If you start as a BT, you'll earn your RBT certification within 90 days.

Does ABC pay for the BCBA exam?

ABC covers the cost of up to two BCBA exam attempts for all eligible trainees. You'll also get a $5,000 bonus if you pass on your first attempt.

Can ABC help me pay for my master's degree?

Yes. Through ABC Foundations, you can get tuition discounts of up to 25% on graduate and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis at partner universities.

How many trainees does each supervisor work with?

Each supervisor works with up to two trainees. Clinical Directors supervise one.

What can I earn as a BCBA at ABC?

Pay depends on your experience and location. Get an estimate with ABC's Compensation Estimator, or read our BCBA salary guide.

Start your path from RBT to BCBA

Ready to grow your career with ABC? Learn more about benefits and each step on the Everest Program page. Then browse open roles and check out our Interview Guide so you know what to expect.