Fieldwork Logs: Tracking Your Hours and Progress

As a behavior analyst trainee, one of the most crucial aspects of your supervision journey is accurately tracking your fieldwork hours. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires detailed records to ensure that candidates meet the necessary experience requirements. If these records are incorrect, not maintained appropriately, or lost- the hours that you count towards your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervision may be lost or be required to be redone before you can sit for your BCBA certification exam. The fieldwork log is separate from your monthly and final fieldwork verification forms. The monthly and final verification forms are documents that will be turned into the BACB when you are ready to sit for your certification exam. Fieldwork logs, however, are not turned into the board unless they are requested or in case of an audit. The BACB states that because fieldwork is a unique experience for every trainee- they allow the supervisor and trainee team to develop their own system for documenting supervision and fieldwork for supervised fieldwork hours.

Even though the board offers flexibility when documenting fieldwork hours- there are still requirements that must be met. While every fieldwork log or tracker may look different- there are still required items that must be documented for fieldwork to count. Let’s break down the hour types, and what must be documented for each area per the BACB’s BCBA handbook:

Independent Hours
These are hours spent without your BCBA supervisor present- they can be working with a client or doing unrestricted tasks. For your independent hours, be sure to document the date, start and end time, fieldwork type- either regular supervised fieldwork or concentrated fieldwork hours, supervisor name, and if the hours are restricted or unrestricted.

Supervised Hours
These are hours where your BCBA supervisor is actively supervising you- these can be with a client or without, and individually or in a group. These hours should be documented with the date, start and end time, fieldwork type- regular or concentrated, supervision type- individual or group, if the hours are restricted or unrestricted and a description of what was accomplished during the supervised hours.

Observation Hours
These are hours where trainees are observed working with a client in the natural environment. Documentation of these should include the date, start and end time, fieldwork type- regular or concentrated, setting name, supervisor name, and if the hours are restricted or unrestricted.

Why is an accurate tracking system important?

A well-maintained fieldwork log is necessary for several reasons:

1. Verification: The BACB requires proof of your fieldwork hours. Accurate logs help verify that you meet the necessary requirements in case of an audit or if there is a mistake when your hours are being processed before you sit for your exam.
2. Progress Tracking: Keeping a detailed log allows you to monitor your progress, ensuring you are on track to complete the required hours within the required timeframe while also ensuring that you meet the monthly and overall requirements for your hours to count.
3. Skill Development: Regularly updating your log encourages reflection on your experiences, helping you identify areas for growth and improvement. An accurate log might show that you need more supervision in a certain area or with a specific skill or client.
4. Supervisory Review: Your supervisor will review your log to provide feedback and guidance, ensuring that you gain the necessary skills and experience. It is important that your supervisor is able to see your progress overtime. Your supervisor should view your documentation often to ensure accuracy and to plan the direction of future supervision meetings and experiences.
5. Practice for your time as a BCBA: In short, documenting your supervised fieldwork hours is great practice for your career as a BCBA. If you can document everything that happened in a supervision meeting, you are well on your way to being able to document client sessions for insurance purposes. Practice your attention to detail, consistency, and accurate record-keeping as a trainee to make it second nature once you are a BCBA.

Tips for Maintaining Your Fieldwork Log

Utilize Technology: Leverage technology! Some apps or online fieldwork trackers can collect all the information needed for documenting fieldwork hours with minimal effort. Some even ensure that you are completing the monthly and overall requirements for your fieldwork hours with visual aids and reminders.

Consistency: Update your log regularly, ideally after each fieldwork session, to ensure accuracy and completeness. It’s a terrible situation to have to look back on billing logs, email, or assignments to try to remember when and where your hours for a particular week (or month!) should be documented.

Detail-Oriented: Include as much detail as possible about your activities and supervision sessions. This will help when you and your supervisor are reviewing the content of your supervision.

Backup: Keep digital backups of your logs to prevent data loss. In my own supervisory experience, I sent my completed logs to myself via email to ensure that I had an extra copy if needed.

Regular Reviews: Periodically review your log with your supervisor to ensure you’re on track and to receive constructive feedback. These reviews should help adjust the direction of your fieldwork experience.

Stay Informed: Keep up to date with BACB requirements to ensure your log meets all necessary criteria in the event of changing requirements.

Conclusion

Maintaining a comprehensive fieldwork log as documentation towards your BCBA certification is a vital part of the supervised fieldwork process that should not be overlooked. A great fieldwork log should be able to tell you and your supervisor exactly what you have accomplished in your time as a trainee. These logs will help you as a trainee ensure compliance with BACB requirements, track progress, and should facilitate your overall professional growth. Leveraging technology, being consistent, detail oriented, and reviewing your fieldwork logs regularly will ensure that your documentation is accurate for a successful supervised fieldwork experience.

REFERENCES

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2024). Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Handbook. bacb.com. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBAHandbook_231227-a.pdf