Methods for assessing the response class structure of challenging behavior utilizing the concepts of the response class hierarchy and precursor responses have been evaluated. However, the lack of a cohesive examination of the current literature or practice guidelines may impede practitioners' efforts to evaluate the methods for their relevance to a given clinical problem. A multistep search strategy identified 17 peer-reviewed studies. Participant and study characteristics and assessment methods were quantified, summarized, and described, and some potential benefits and limitations of each assessment type are proposed. The results suggest that there are useful methods for assessing response class structure at each stage of functional behavior assessment and treatment and that some methods are useful for developing effective function-based treatments. Replication studies and additional methods for assessing response class structure during treatment are needed. Some tentative practice guidelines are proposed.