Free Tool

Fieldwork hours & unrestricted ratio planner

The 60/40 unrestricted rule is where most trainees get tripped up. Enter your hours and see exactly how many unrestricted hours you still need — and whether you’re quietly over the restricted cap.

Your fieldwork

56%Unrestricted
Below 60%
Prioritize unrestricted hours to get above the line.
300
Unrestricted hours still needed
100
Restricted you can still log
400
Total hours remaining
—
Projected finish
The rule: at least 60% of your total hours must be unrestricted (no more than 40% restricted). For 2,000 hours that’s ≥1,200 unrestricted and ≤800 restricted. Under 2022 standards, count 20–130 hours per month with the required supervision and one client observation.

Free planning tool — not affiliated with or endorsed by the BACB®. Always confirm against the current BCBA® Handbook and your supervisor. BCBA®, BCaBA®, and BACB® are registered trademarks of the BACB®.

Stop guessing at the ratio

FieldworkABA checks your 60/40 balance automatically as you log — so you never discover the problem at the finish line. Free for 14 days, no card.

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Muffins the Cat with common fieldwork ratio questions
Frequently Asked Questions

The 60/40 rule, answered

What is the 60/40 unrestricted rule?
At least 60% of your total fieldwork hours must be unrestricted activities, and no more than 40% restricted. For 2,000 Supervised hours that’s ≥1,200 unrestricted and ≤800 restricted; for 1,500 Concentrated hours, ≥900 and ≤600.
What if I log too many restricted hours?
Restricted hours can’t be removed, and the ratio is measured on your final total. If restricted passes 40% of the goal, you have to keep going until your total reaches restricted ÷ 0.40 — more than 2,000 (or 1,500) — and those extra hours must be unrestricted. The planner shows the exact number.
Does the ratio have to be met every month?
No. The 60/40 split is a requirement for your total accrued fieldwork, not a monthly rule — but watching it monthly is the only way to avoid a nasty surprise at the end. FieldworkABA’s total hours view tracks it as you go.
Is this calculator official?
No. It’s a free, independent planning tool and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the BACB®. Always confirm your hours against the current BCBA® Handbook and your supervisor.