Hoom House Blog

What Counts as BCBA Supervision Hours?

Written by Bryce Kaiser | August 10, 2023

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) requires that all BCBA candidates complete 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork in order to be certified. These hours must be completed under the supervision of a qualified BCBA.

 

Here are some examples of activities that would count as fieldwork hours for BCBA certification:

  • Conducting assessments: This includes conducting functional behavior assessments (FBAs), which are used to identify the causes of problem behaviors, and developmental assessments, which are used to assess a child's developmental progress.
  • Developing and implementing behavior-analytic interventions: This includes developing and implementing interventions that are based on the principles of behavior analysis, such as reinforcement, extinction, and punishment.
  • Conducting research: This includes conducting research on behavior analysis, such as collecting data, analyzing data, and writing research papers.
  • Supervising and training staff: This includes supervising and training staff on behavior-analytic techniques, such as data collection, behavior intervention planning, and behavior management.
  • Consulting with parents and caregivers: This includes consulting with parents and caregivers about their child's behavior and providing them with support and resources.
  • Advocating for individuals with disabilities: This includes advocating for individuals with disabilities in their schools, communities, and workplaces.

These are just a few examples of activities that would count as fieldwork hours for BCBA certification. For a more complete list, please refer to the BACB Fieldwork Standards.

It is important to note that not all activities that are related to behavior analysis will count as fieldwork hours. For example, activities such as administrative tasks, scheduling appointments, and clerical work will not count as fieldwork hours.

It is also important to note that activities must be supervised by a qualified BCBA in order to count as fieldwork hours. 

Finally, activities must be documented in a fieldwork log in order to count as fieldwork hours. The fieldwork log should include the dates and times of the fieldwork, the activities that were completed, and the supervision that was provided.


In order for fieldwork hours to count towards BCBA certification, they must be documented in a fieldwork log that includes the dates and times of the fieldwork, the activities that were completed, and the supervision that was provided.

The following activities do not count as BCBA supervision hours:

  • Activities that are not related to behavior analysis
  • Activities that are not supervised by a qualified BCBA
  • Activities that are not documented in a fieldwork log

If you are unsure whether an activity counts as BCBA supervision hours, you should consult with your supervisor or the BACB.

I hope this blog post has been helpful in answering the question "What counts as BCBA supervision hours?" If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Additional Resources

  • BACB Fieldwork Standards: https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBAHandbook_230623-a.pdf
  • BACB FAQs on Supervised Fieldwork: https://www.bacb.com/faqs-supervised-fieldwork-requirements/
  • BACB Supervision and Training: https://www.bacb.com/supervision-and-training/