New trainees should plan on the 2027 fieldwork rules

If you apply for BCBA certification on or after January 1, 2027, every fieldwork hour has to meet the 2027 rules. To use the 2022 rules, you have to meet every requirement and apply before that date. Hours are judged by the rules in force when you apply, not by the rules that were current when you logged the hour.

That is why Hours ABA tracks the 2027 standard. Tracking a standard does not mean the BACB will accept your hours.

Fieldwork has to involve real clients. Hours ABA does not provide clients. If you do not have a site yet, we can help you set one up so it follows BACB fieldwork rules. You and your supervisor both need a formal relationship with those clients. That means the same organization, or both of you under a service contract with the same client or organization.

Remote observation is allowed only when the supervisor knows and oversees the clients, the clients have agreed to it, and the contacts happen in real time. Some states also require the supervisor to be licensed where you provide services.

At least 60% of total fieldwork hours have to be unrestricted. That share is counted across all fieldwork, not reset every month. Restricted hours are optional.

No hour counts until a qualified supervisor is in place, your supervision contract is signed, and your qualifying graduate coursework has started. Supervision is provided only by a BCBA who is cleared before that contract. We do not promise a finish date.

Official answers are on bacb.com. This article is not a BACB handbook.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by the BACB. Our curriculum is not BACB coursework. We can't guarantee hours, BACB acceptance, exam results or timelines. We do not provide clients.