Glossary
BACB fieldwork terms,
explained simply.
40 definitions covering hour types, supervision rules, compliance requirements, certification pathways, and more. No jargon, no guesswork.
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2027+ Standards
The updated BACB fieldwork requirements based on the 6th edition task list. Key changes include higher monthly hour caps (160), duration-based observation requirements, elimination of contact requirements, and adjusted supervision percentages for some pathways.
Audit Trail
A chronological record of all changes made to fieldwork data, including who made each change, when it was made, and what the before/after values were. Essential for data integrity and BACB verification.
BACB
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The credentialing body that establishes the standards, requirements, and ethical guidelines for behavior analyst certifications including BCBA, BCaBA, and RBT.
BACB Task List
The official document published by the BACB that outlines the skills and competencies required for certification. The task list defines what unrestricted and restricted activities include and is updated periodically (most recently in 2027).
BCaBA
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. The mid-level certification from the BACB for professionals who practice under the supervision of a BCBA. Requires a bachelor's degree and fewer fieldwork hours than the BCBA.
BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The advanced-level certification from the BACB for professionals who independently practice behavior analysis. Requires a graduate degree, fieldwork hours (2,000 supervised or 1,500 concentrated), and passing a certification exam.
Certification Pathway
The specific combination of certification type (BCBA or BCaBA), standards year (pre-2027 or 2027+), and fieldwork type (supervised or concentrated) that defines a candidate's requirements. There are 8 possible pathways.
Concentrated Fieldwork
A fieldwork type with a reduced total hour requirement (1,500 for BCBA, 1,000 or 800 for BCaBA) but higher monthly intensity and stricter supervision percentage requirements.
Contact Requirement
The minimum number of supervision contacts required per month under 2022 standards. Supervised fieldwork requires 4 contacts per month; concentrated requires 6. This requirement was eliminated in the 2027 standards.
Fieldwork Compliance
The state of meeting all BACB fieldwork requirements simultaneously, including supervision percentages, hour caps and minimums, unrestricted ratios, observation requirements, and contact requirements for your specific certification pathway.
Fieldwork Documentation
The complete set of records, logs, summaries, and forms required to verify and submit your fieldwork experience to the BACB. Includes fieldwork logs, monthly summaries, supervisor contracts, and verification forms.
Fieldwork Log
A detailed record of fieldwork hours logged over time, typically including dates, durations, activity types (unrestricted/restricted), supervision details, and supervisor signatures.
Fieldwork Trainee
A candidate actively accruing fieldwork hours toward BCBA or BCaBA certification under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. Also referred to as a supervisee in the context of the supervisory relationship.
Fieldwork Verification
The process by which the BACB confirms that a candidate's fieldwork meets all requirements. This may include reviewing documentation, verifying supervisor credentials, and auditing hour logs.
Final Fieldwork Report
A comprehensive document summarizing your entire fieldwork experience, including cumulative hours, compliance across all metrics, supervisor attestation, and all required signatures for BACB submission.
Group Supervision
A supervision format where a qualified supervisor meets with multiple trainees simultaneously. Group supervision is capped at 50% of total supervised hours to ensure each trainee receives adequate individualized attention.
Group Supervision Cap
The maximum proportion of supervised hours that can come from group supervision sessions. Across all BACB pathways, group supervision is capped at 50% of total supervised hours.
Group Supervision Hours
Supervised hours conducted in a group setting with multiple trainees present. These hours count toward your supervision total but are capped at a maximum percentage of your total supervised hours.
Independent Fieldwork
Fieldwork hours accrued while working independently, without a supervisor physically present. These hours still count toward your total but must meet supervision percentage requirements when combined with supervised hours.
Individual Supervision Hours
Supervised hours conducted one-on-one between a trainee and their qualified supervisor. These hours have no cap and are the primary way to meet supervision percentage requirements.
Monthly Hour Cap
The maximum number of fieldwork hours that can be counted in a single month. Pre-2027 standards cap at 130 hours per month; 2027+ standards increase the cap to 160 hours per month.
Monthly Hour Minimum
The minimum number of fieldwork hours that must be logged in any month where fieldwork is claimed. The BACB requires at least 20 hours per month across all pathways.
Monthly Summary
A period-level overview of fieldwork activity showing total hours, supervision hours, activity type breakdown, compliance status, and observation/contact counts for a single month.
Observation
A supervision activity where a qualified supervisor directly watches a trainee deliver services to a client. Observations have specific minimum requirements that differ between 2022 and 2027 standards.
Observation Requirement
The minimum observation activity required per supervision period. Under 2022 standards, this is count-based (number of observations). Under 2027 standards, it is duration-based (60-90 minutes minimum per period).
Observation with Client
A specific type of observation where the supervisor watches the trainee interact directly with a client during service delivery. This is the most common and most valued form of observation.
Pre-2027 Standards
The set of BACB fieldwork requirements based on the 5th edition task list, applicable to candidates who began fieldwork before the 2027 standards took effect. Features monthly hour caps of 130, count-based observations, and required supervision contacts.
Qualified Supervisor
A BCBA or other BACB-approved professional who meets specific requirements to supervise fieldwork trainees. They are responsible for oversight, observation, and attestation of a trainee's fieldwork hours.
RBT
Registered Behavior Technician. A paraprofessional certification from the BACB for individuals who implement behavior analysis services under the supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA. Many RBTs pursue BCBA/BCaBA certification.
Restricted Activities
Fieldwork activities that are related to behavior analysis but are not direct client-facing services. These include administrative tasks, attending workshops, and other supportive activities that are capped at a percentage of total hours.
Supervised Fieldwork
A fieldwork type requiring a minimum of 2,000 hours (BCBA) or 1,300 hours (BCaBA) completed over an extended period with lower monthly intensity requirements. This is one of two fieldwork type options alongside concentrated fieldwork.
Supervisee
An individual receiving supervision from a qualified supervisor as part of their BACB certification fieldwork requirements. This is the formal term used in the supervisory relationship context.
Supervision Contact
A scheduled interaction between a trainee and their qualified supervisor that counts toward meeting minimum supervision contact requirements. Under 2022 standards, a minimum number of contacts per month is required.
Supervision Minimum Percentage
The minimum percentage of total fieldwork hours that must be conducted under direct supervision. This percentage varies by fieldwork type: 5% for supervised fieldwork, 10% for concentrated (pre-2027), and 7.5% for 2027 BCaBA concentrated.
Supervision Percentage
The ratio of supervised hours to total fieldwork hours, expressed as a percentage. The BACB sets minimum supervision percentages that vary by fieldwork type and standards year.
Supervision Period
The defined time frame (typically monthly) over which supervision requirements are measured. Compliance rules like minimum contacts, observation requirements, and hour caps are evaluated per supervision period.
Supervisory Relationship
The formal, documented relationship between a fieldwork trainee and their qualified supervisor. This relationship must be established before fieldwork hours can be counted and typically involves a written agreement.
Total Fieldwork Hours
The cumulative number of fieldwork hours a candidate must complete for certification. This total varies by certification type (BCBA/BCaBA), fieldwork type (supervised/concentrated), and which standards apply.
Unrestricted Activities
Fieldwork activities that directly relate to behavior analysis practice and are not limited in the proportion of hours they can represent. These typically include client-facing services like assessments, skill acquisition programs, and behavior reduction procedures.
Unrestricted Hour Ratio
The cumulative percentage of total fieldwork hours that must come from unrestricted activities. BCBA candidates need at least 60% unrestricted; BCaBA candidates need at least 40%.
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