Fieldwork Log

A fieldwork log is the detailed, ongoing record of every hour you accrue during your fieldwork experience. It is the single most important piece of documentation in your certification journey. A complete fieldwork log includes the date of each activity, start and end times, the total duration, the type of activity (unrestricted or restricted), whether the hours were independent or supervised, and relevant supervision details such as your supervisor's name and whether the session was individual or group.

The BACB does not prescribe a specific format for fieldwork logs, but they must be thorough enough to withstand verification and potential audit. Many candidates start with spreadsheets, which work but are prone to errors, version control problems, and the risk of data loss. Purpose-built tools like ABA Fieldwork Tracker automate the categorization, validation, and storage of log entries, reducing the chance of mistakes that could create problems during verification.

Consistency is the most important quality of a good fieldwork log. Logging your hours daily or at least weekly — rather than trying to reconstruct a month of activity from memory — produces far more accurate records. Your supervisor should also review your log entries regularly, catching miscategorizations or missing data before they compound into larger issues. A clean, current fieldwork log is the foundation that every other piece of documentation builds upon.