Earning fieldwork hours is a critical step for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), because it applies your coursework to real world situations. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) sets the fieldwork hour requirements.
Supervised Fieldwork
- Required Hours – 2,000
- Supervision Hours per Period – 5%
The BACB requires a certain percentage of supervision hours from a qualified BCBA that can provide observation, feedback, and guidance. The two types of hours that can account for BCBA fieldwork hours are:
- Restricted hours: Involves implementing treatment and instruction directly to clients.
- Unrestricted hours: Activities representing a BCBA’s responsibilities from developing treatment programs to overseeing proper treatment implementation.
Unrestricted hours need to account for most hours earned, because they are essential to developing the skills needed to be a BCBA.
How to Earn Unrestricted Hours?
Join a Fellowship Program
Our Helping Hands Family Fellowship Program offers both comprehensive clinical training and a supervision program to earn fieldwork hours. To join you must be a full-time team member at HHF (as an RBT).
Our fellowship program offers:
- 70% of BCBA supervision hours paid
- Support from a Clinical Director and Clinical Fellowship Director
- Structured 7-level program for developing BCBA skills
- Full curriculum with group supervision meetings
- 60+ other Fellows to support you as you go through the program together
- BCBA Exam Prep Curriculum
To learn more about becoming a Fellow with HHF click here.
Reach Out to Schools or Educational Programs
Many schools offer special education programs or early intervention centers where you can gain experience working with children. Some tasks that may be assigned are:
- Conducting functional behavior assessments.
- Collaborating with teachers and parents.
Investigate whether a school is partnered with an ABA organization, because they may offer opportunities for field work!
Explore Community Organizations and Non-Profits
Community-based programs offer behavioral support in:
- Local recreational programs
- Social skills groups
- Community outreach initiatives
There may be volunteer or internship options at community organizations that offer behavior services or programs to local families. Volunteering at these programs may count towards BCBA supervision hours.
Discover Research Opportunities
Labs or universities may offer research assistant roles to help with research projects led by faculty. This may involve data collection or analysis that would fulfill your BCBA fieldwork requirements.
Tips for Maximizing Your Unrestricted Hours
Don’t just view fieldwork hours as a BCBA certification requirement to check-off. These hours are the application of your education to gain the necessary experience to succeed as a BCBA! In this phase you’re transforming theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Here are some tips for making the most of it:
- Choose Diverse Experiences: Earn concentrated hours with various types of clients or in different settings such as ABA clinics, schools, and research assistant roles to be well-rounded. This will help you understand the application of ABA across various contexts.
- Be Proactive: The ways to earn unrestricted hours that are mentioned above require you to actively seek opportunities. Proactivity ensures you develop connections in the field, continue to receive fieldwork opportunities, and improve as a professional.
- Volunteer for projects.
- Request to observe professionals.
- Ask your supervisor questions.
- Request feedback from the professionals you assist.
- Set Clear Goals: Meet with your supervisor and define specific goals for your fieldwork. These will help you stay focused. Some way to ensure progress are:
- Keep a journal of fieldwork experiences.
- Document challenging cases, including what you learned.
- Frequently take stock of both areas of strength and challenges.
- Reflect on your mistakes to learn from them.
- Network and Learn: Build connections with other professionals in the field. Some opportunities for networking include attending conferences, workshops, and local ABA events. Collaborate with peers during your fieldwork or reach out to experienced BCBAs you meet during your training. Networking can provide:
- Additional learning opportunities
- Support
- Potential job leads
To earn your supervision hours, you must understand the BCBA requirements and be proactive in fulfilling these hours. Focus on the experience rather than the BCBA certification requirement to maximize the impact of your hours. Your fieldwork hours are the foundation of starting your BCBA career!
