Ask Ethyl
Ethics GuidesApplied Behavior Analysis › 1.14

1.14 — Romantic and Sexual Relationships

Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) · Reference for BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs · Source: BACB

What does 1.14 say?

Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders, trainees, or supervisees because such relationships pose a substantial risk of conflicts of interest and impaired judgment. Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former clients or stakeholders for a minimum of two years from the date the professional relationship ended. Behavior analysts do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with former supervisees or trainees until the parties can document that the professional relationship has ended (i.e., completion of all professional duties). Behavior analysts do not accept as supervisees or trainees individuals with whom they have had a past romantic or sexual relationship until at least six months after the relationship has ended.

Official source: read the full text in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) (official document).

Related sections

1.01 — Being Truthful1.02 — Conforming with Legal and Professional Requirements1.03 — Accountability1.04 — Practicing within a Defined Role1.05 — Practicing within Scope of Competence1.06 — Maintaining Competence1.07 — Cultural Responsiveness and Diversity1.08 — Nondiscrimination
Have a specific ethics question?
Ask Ethyl gives instant, cited answers from the official BACB, ASHA, and AOTA codes — trained only on evidence-based, official sources.
Ask Ethyl now