Qualifying coursework
The graduate behavior-analytic coursework required for eligibility — passing grades, within a rolling 10 years, over at least one calendar year.
What it means
To be eligible for the BCBA® exam you complete graduate-level (master’s or doctoral) behavior-analytic coursework at a qualifying institution, earning a passing grade (“C” or higher, or “pass”) in each course. Coursework carries a rolling 10-year expiration, and it cannot be completed in less than one calendar year (about three consecutive semesters). You may begin accruing fieldwork hours after the first class of qualifying coursework.
Example
A master’s program spread over two years, with passing grades in each required course, meets the coursework requirement.
Where it trips people up
Coursework older than 10 years at the time you apply won’t count, and the BACB® recently tightened things so a degree or the full coursework can’t be crammed into a few months (February 2026 newsletter). You can start fieldwork after your first class — you don’t have to finish coursework first.
Let the software track this for you
FieldworkABA applies these rules automatically as you log — the 60/40 ratio, supervision, and monthly checks, done in the background. Free for 14 days, no card.
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