Forty hours of online coursework, plus supervision and competency assessment, on the ABAT and IBT certification pathways for behavior therapists.
Cohort dates
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Upcoming
ABAT + IBT weekend mornings — November 2026
· Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Dubai time) · Live on Google Meet · with Farhan Yousef Farhan, BCBA
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Upcoming
ABAT + IBT weekday evenings — November 2026
· Monday through Thursday, 6–8:30 p.m. (Dubai time); classes may run up to 30 minutes later; no class on December 2 · Live on Google Meet · with Farhan Yousef Farhan, BCBA
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Upcoming
ABAT + IBT weekday mornings — December 2026
· Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Dubai time); no class on December 24 · Live on Google Meet
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Upcoming
ABAT + IBT weekend mornings — December 2026
· Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Dubai time) · Live on Google Meet
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In progress
ABAT + IBT weekday evenings — October 2026
· Monday through Thursday, 6–8:30 p.m. (Dubai time) · Live on Google Meet · with Farhan Yousef Farhan, BCBA
AED 2,170
Ask about this cohort
What the program is
The ABA Technician (ABAT) and International Behavior Therapist (IBT) qualifications are certification pathways for behavior therapists. Training comes at the start of the process, followed by a supervised competency assessment and then a board exam.
The path to board certification
- Coursework. Classes run for 40 hours online on Google Meet and take four weeks to complete. The course comes with study material including mock quizzes, case studies, and exam preparation, and three certificates: one IBT, one ABAT, and one KHDA attestation for IBT.
- Supervision. Candidates can apply for ABAT supervision alone, or for dual supervision for IBT and ABAT. Supervision involves practical demonstration through short recorded video demonstrations, plus an online interview with our BCBA on theory and concept knowledge. For ABAT, candidates complete 15 hours of fieldwork, 1.5 hours of which are supervised. All of it is online, fieldwork and supervision included: the fieldwork is assignment-based, so candidates complete it on their own time.
- Board exam. The ABAT board exam is an online test of 125 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are scored. It can be taken from home and requires a minimum score of 72% to pass. Candidates who complete this step are registered with the QABA board as ABAT.
- Additional steps for IBT. To become double board certified with the IBAO board, candidates must complete 10 supervision hours, 300 fieldwork hours, and four pre-certification CEUs, and pass the IBT exam. This route suits candidates who want an intensive course; time to board certification is three to four months. Candidates choosing IBT must start their supervision alongside the course.
Course content
- A combined training of at least 40 hours that meets the International Behavior Analysis Organization (IBAO) and Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA) coursework requirements for the IBT and ABAT exams respectively.
- The course is led by a behavior analyst (BCBA/IBA).
- The combined course follows the IBT training and exam content set out by the IBAO and the ABAT competency standards set out by the QABA.
Who it is for
- Professionals in special education, psychology, social work, and behavior therapy.
- Educators, parents, and caregivers helping children learn new skills or address challenging behavior.
What a behavior therapist does
Behavior therapists (IBTs and ABATs) provide behavioral services in a variety of settings and to a variety of clients. Most work with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, developmental or other challenges, and people who need additional support with language development, challenging behavior, daily life skills, social skills, and learning support. Behavior therapists typically work hands-on as frontline therapists delivering behavioral services to clients or students, as part of a team of behavior analysts and other specialists. Their role is to implement behavioral supports designed and overseen by behavior analysts (BCBA, QBA, or IBA).
Certificates
- Certificates of attendance for IBT and ABAT, issued by Pulse Center LLC and signed by the course instructor, who is certified as BCBA and IBA. The training certificate counts toward the requirements to apply for the IBT or ABAT exam.
- One KHDA QR-attested certificate of attendance, which can be presented to schools and institutions in Dubai and the UAE.
These certifications do not replace, and are not considered to be, a healthcare or social worker license or an academic degree.
Schedules and exam fees
Cohorts run online on Google Meet in weekday and weekend batches; the dates are listed at the top of this page.
Board exam fees are charged by the board, not by Pulse. The full fee table is below.
Fees
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework only (40 hours) | AED 2,170 | Includes the coursework certificates for ABAT and IBT and the KHDA-attested IBT certificate. |
| Course + ABAT supervision bundle | AED 2,460 | Includes 1.5 hours of supervision. |
| Course + dual supervision bundle (ABAT and IBT) | AED 3,060 | Includes 10 hours of supervision and 4 hours of CEU workshops. |
| ABAT supervision and competency assessment, on its own | AED 590 | For candidates who add supervision after the course. |
| IBT supervision, on its own (includes ABAT supervision) | AED 1,190 | IBT supervision starts alongside the 40-hour course. |
| ABAT competency assessment, for candidates trained elsewhere | AED 850 | A screening quiz and other prerequisites apply. |
| IBT supervision, for candidates trained elsewhere | AED 1,650 | A screening quiz and other prerequisites apply. |
| ABAT board exam | about AED 480 | Paid to the QABA in US dollars, not to Pulse, and not part of the course fee. The amount in dirhams depends on your bank’s exchange rate and card fees. |
| IBT board exam | about AED 460 | Paid to the IBAO in US dollars, not to Pulse, and not part of the course fee. The amount in dirhams depends on your bank’s exchange rate and card fees. |
The fee can be paid in four installments with Tabby. Tabby is available only with a debit or credit card issued in the UAE or Saudi Arabia; without one, two installments can be arranged directly with us.
Who teaches this course
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Farhan Yousef Farhan Lead instructor, ABAT + IBT Master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences · Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) · International Behavior Analyst (IBA)Farhan has worked in behavior analysis since 2012, with children on the autism spectrum and with Down syndrome, learning difficulties, and other developmental delays, in clinics, schools, and transitional classrooms. He has worked with the Child Early Intervention Medical Center and the Community Development Authority in Dubai and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center in Abu Dhabi, and since 2021 has been Autism Inclusion Coordinator at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge.
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Dubi Najeeb Instructor and supervisor, ABAT + IBT Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) · International Behavior Analyst (IBA) · CACHE Level 3 in Special Educational Needs CoordinationDubi has delivered ABA therapy in clinics, homes, and schools since 2017, first as a learning-support assistant and behavior technician and then as an ABA supervisor, and completed her BCaBA certification in 2022. She came to ABA from software engineering. At Pulse she teaches and supervises candidates on their way to certification, from behavior therapists to behavior analysts.
We’re here to help.
For quick questions, feel free to send us a message. For a detailed chat, please schedule a call to discuss your professional interests, career goals, and any questions about the program.
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