Fieldwork A–Z

Only behavior-analytic work counts — assessment, program design, training, supervised delivery. Admin and non-BA tasks don’t.

A designation for BCBAs® who hold a doctoral degree — not a separate certification.

An undergraduate-level certification that practices behavior analysis under BCBA® supervision, with its own fieldwork requirement.

A graduate-level certification in behavior analysis — the credential fieldwork leads to.

Anyone for whom behavior-analytic services are appropriate — and you must work with more than one over your fieldwork.

You can mix Supervised and Concentrated fieldwork — a Concentrated hour is worth about 1⅓ Supervised hours — but each type’s rules are met separately.

The 1,500-hour pathway that requires more supervision — 7.5% under 2027 (it was 10% under 2022) — in exchange for fewer hours.

The BACB® process when a supervisor won’t sign your Final form even though the contract terms were met.

The routes to BCBA® certification. From 2027 there are two (accredited degree, or coursework); Pathway 2 ends in 2032.

The BACB® can review your fieldwork documentation at any time; you may have to produce it within 7 business days.

The end-of-fieldwork BACB® form submitted with your certification application, summarizing your total hours.

All of your fieldwork must be accrued within 5 continuous years.

Independent hours are worked with the supervisor absent; supervised hours are worked with the supervisor present.

One-on-one vs. a 2–10 person group. At least half of your supervision must be individual.

The BACB® form documenting one month’s fieldwork, signed by trainee and supervisor and kept for 7 years.

Your supervisor watching you work with a client — 60 cumulative minutes/month (Supervised) or 90 (Concentrated) under 2027; one observation/month under the earlier 2022 rules.

When your hours can start counting — after your first qualifying class, a qualified supervisor, and a signed supervision contract.

A month you don’t work in full — some requirements may need to be prorated by your supervisor.

The graduate behavior-analytic coursework required for eligibility — passing grades, within a rolling 10 years, over at least one calendar year.

An entry-level BACB® credential that delivers ABA under close supervision — not the same as BCBA® fieldwork.

The supervisor who signs verification forms on behalf of an organization when several supervisors share one trainee.

The direct delivery of therapeutic or instructional procedures to a client — capped at no more than 40% of your total hours.

At least 60% of your total fieldwork hours must be unrestricted activities, and no more than 40% restricted.

The standard 2,000-hour pathway, with 5% of each month’s hours under supervision.

A written agreement the trainee and supervisor must sign before fieldwork begins.

The share of each month’s hours that must be supervised — 5% Supervised and 7.5% Concentrated under 2027 (Concentrated was 10% under the earlier 2022 rules).

Who may supervise fieldwork — under 2027, only active BCBAs® in good standing.

A real-time meeting of at least 15 minutes. Under 2027 there is no fixed monthly count; the earlier 2022 rules required 4/month (6 for Concentrated).

One calendar month — the unit fieldwork is counted, supervised, and verified in.

The BACB® blueprint of what a BCBA® must know — your fieldwork should build these skills. The 6th edition took effect in 2025.

The fieldwork rules effective Jan 1, 2027 — duration-based observation, lower concentrated supervision, higher monthly cap, BCBA-only supervisors.

The behavior-analytic work a BCBA® typically does — assessment, program design, analysis, training — which must be at least 60% of your hours.