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.