- From January 1, 2027, there are two pathways to BCBA eligibility.
- Pathway 2 will be removed in 2032.
- Fieldwork hours stay at 2,000 or 1,500, with new supervision and observation rules.
- BCBAs need 32 CEUs per 2-year cycle, including 4 ethics and 4 supervision (for supervisors).
What are the 2027 pathways?
- Pathway 1: a master's or higher from an APBA-accredited program, or from a program accredited or recognized by ABAI (Tier 1, 2a or 2b), earned in 2015 or later.
- Pathway 2: a master's or higher in any field, plus 315 hours of behavior-analytic coursework.
Both require supervised fieldwork and passing the BCBA exam.1
What changed in fieldwork?
| Rule | Supervised | Concentrated |
|---|---|---|
| Hours required | 2,000 | 1,500 |
| Supervision per supervisory period | 5% | 7.5% |
| Fieldwork hours per period | 20 to 160 | 20 to 160 |
| Observation with client per period | 60 minutes (cumulative) | 90 minutes (cumulative) |
| Individual supervision | At least 50% | At least 50% |
| Unrestricted activities | At least 60% of total | At least 60% of total |
Applicants after January 1, 2027, use the 2027 monthly and final fieldwork verification forms.1
What about continuing education?
To maintain certification, BCBAs need 32 CEUs in each 2-year cycle, including 4 in ethics and 4 in supervision for those who supervise. Since March 2025, ethics CEUs can also cover cultural and contextual responsiveness.1 See What are the BCBA CEU requirements?
What should trainees and supervisors do now?
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Read next: How does BCBA supervised fieldwork work?
