Restricted Activities

Restricted activities encompass the supporting work that surrounds direct behavior analysis practice. While these activities contribute to your professional development, they do not involve hands-on client services. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes work that makes effective service delivery possible: reviewing research, attending trainings, preparing session materials, and handling administrative tasks tied to your caseload.

The BACB limits how much of your total fieldwork can come from restricted activities because certification is meant to demonstrate clinical competence. For BCBA candidates, no more than 40% of total hours can be restricted. For BCaBA candidates, the cap is more generous at 60%. These limits are calculated cumulatively across your entire fieldwork experience, not on a month-by-month basis.

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is miscategorizing hours. If an activity involves directly working with a client or implementing behavior analytic procedures, it is almost certainly unrestricted. If you are working about clients rather than with them, it is likely restricted. When in doubt, consult your supervisor before logging, because reclassifying hours after the fact creates documentation headaches and can raise questions during verification.