Getting Started for Trainees: First Steps to Remote BCBA Supervision

On social media sites such as BCBA and Supervision Facebook Pages and Reddit threads, I often see individuals who want to get into the field of ABA, but don’t know where to start. The handbook, albeit filled with the information we need to succeed as board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), is not beginner friendly. The registered behavior technician (RBT) handbook comes closer to helping entry-level workers get into the field- but is still not an easy read. Also- what if the BCBA-hopeful doesn’t want to become an RBT? There isn’t a separate handbook for the many types of trainees who want to become BCBAs. Finally, there isn’t a specific resource that outlines the process for obtaining supervised fieldwork hours for the behavior analyst certification board (BACB) remotely.

Remote supervision has become increasingly prevalent, offering flexibility and accessibility to trainees that want to further their career in less time to become BCBAS. As stated previously- it can be difficult to know where to start. The aim of this article is to outline the first steps that trainees should take when obtaining remote supervision to fulfill the requirements to sit for the BCBA exam.

Understanding Requirements

One of the first steps a trainee should take on their journey to become a BCBA is obtaining information on the requirements for accruing supervised fieldwork hours. Trainees should look in the BACB handbook for BCBAs and bookmark this resource as it is one they will be referring to often. It is important to keep in mind that trainees must be attending appropriate graduate-level coursework in order to begin accruing their supervised hours. Trainees should also have a basic understanding of the number of supervised hours needed, types of activities that count towards fieldwork, monthly requirements, and any documentation needed throughout the process of earning hours.

Meet with several BCBAS

Once trainees have a better understanding of the requirements for obtaining supervision hours they should start reaching out to BCBAs in their area and remotely. It is important that trainees check on the certification status in the Certificant Registry on the BACB website to make sure that the BCBAs they are speaking with have active certifications, have taken their 8-hour supervision training, and to ensure they do not have any disciplinary actions currently against them. Trainees should meet with several BCBAs- remember to interview them to get an idea of their supervision styles.
Some questions you can ask the BCBA supervisors are:

• Do they have a curriculum they follow with trainees, or do assignments change every week at random?
• Do they have a large pool of assignments and tasks to complete if trainees are getting hours quickly each month?
• How will this supervisor provide feedback to their trainees?
• What populations do they currently work with? Does this align with your goals?
• What experiences do they have that you would like to learn from?
• How many trainees have they worked with during their career?
• How do they approach ethical dilemmas? Can they give some examples?

Another thing to consider is how much time your BCBA supervisor can dedicate to your supervision experience. If you need several meetings a week, and they are fully booked- it might be better to choose someone with more availability. When talking to remote BCBAs in other parts of the country it's important to remember that time zones can impact both the trainees and supervisors’ availability.

Finally, and one of the most important factors to consider. Do you live in a state that has state licensure requirements that limit who can supervise you? For example, (at the time this article was written) trainees in Louisiana must be supervised by a BCBA who is also an LBA in Louisiana if the trainee would like to obtain their LBA in Louisiana after becoming a BCBA. Trainees should research their specific state requirements and discuss these with their potential supervisors.

Sign a Supervision Contract

Once you select a BCBA supervisor you should sign a supervision contract. Signing a supervision contract with your supervisor not only marks the beginning of your supervisory relationship- but it is also a conversation that outlines expectations and requirements for each party. Your contract should include the types of activities that are expected during the supervision experience, compensation required by the BCBA, documentation expectations, and grounds for terminating the supervision contract. It is good to use this time to discuss meeting frequency, duration, and goals for your meeting times. Remember that the supervision contract should be signed by both the BCBA and the trainee- and this should be retained for future reference and in case of an audit by the BACB.

Become Familiar with Technology

Trainees embarking on remote supervision should become familiar with the technology they will be using. Technology platforms can include video conferencing, file sharing, and communication channels for quick messages. Let’s say you start out your supervision experience and are required to attend a virtual meeting with your BCBA at a certain time. Missing the start time because you haven’t downloaded a video conferencing application wouldn’t set the best precedence! While everyone (especially remote workers) have had technical mishaps- most can be avoided by taking the time to plan ahead and become familiar with the apps, tools, and technology platforms you will be using throughout your supervised fieldwork hours with your BCBA supervisor. If you are sharing videos with client contacts- ensure they are sent over HIPAA compliant platforms to protect your client’s confidentiality and privacy.

Maintain Communication

Finally, the last portion of our article covers effective communication while receiving BCBA supervision. Effective communication should be established at the onset of the supervision experience to ensure that the trainee and BCBA supervisor start off their experience with understanding and trust. Trainees should schedule regular check-ins with their supervisor to discuss cases or assignments, ask questions, and seek guidance. Keep in mind that your BCBA supervisor has their own professional responsibilities and commitments outside of your supervision sessions. They cannot anticipate your needs without clear communication. This means that it is important for you as the trainee to be proactive when sharing challenges you might be facing, and any areas where you need additional support.

I hope that this article will help at least one new trainee who would like to become a BCBA navigate the path to success! The aim was to clarify the initial steps for trainees seeking remote BCBA supervision- though the advice here could also be applied to in-person experiences as well. First, Understanding the requirements for accruing supervised fieldwork hours is crucial; trainees must familiarize themselves with the BACB handbook and refer to it often. Next, meeting with several BCBAs, whether locally or remotely, allows trainees to find a supervisor whose style and expertise align with their goals. Signing a supervision contract marks the formal start of the supervisory relationship and should set expectations for the trainee and BCBA supervisor. Then trainees should work to familiarize themselves with the technology used during their supervised fieldwork hours and use this technology to maintain open and proactive communication with their supervisor from the start.

By following these outlined steps, trainees can navigate the complexities of supervision with ease and successfully start their journey to obtain BCBA certification.

REFERENCES

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2023). Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Handbook. bacb.com. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBAHandbook_231227-a.pdf