# How does BCBA supervised fieldwork work, and how do I get my hours?

> Supervised vs. concentrated fieldwork, the monthly rules, unrestricted activities and how to track everything.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/bcba-supervised-fieldwork
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** BCBA candidates need 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, or 1,500 concentrated hours. Under the 2027 rules, each supervisory period needs 20 to 160 hours, 5% supervision (7.5% if concentrated), at least 60 or 90 minutes of observation with a client, and at least half of supervision one-on-one. At least 60% of all hours must be unrestricted activities.

**Key takeaways**
- **2,000 supervised** or **1,500 concentrated** hours.
- Each period: **20 to 160 hours**, **5% or 7.5%** supervision, **60 or 90 minutes** of observation.
- At least **50% of supervision** must be **individual**.
- At least **60% of all hours** must be **unrestricted**.

## What are the fieldwork rules?

|  | Supervised | Concentrated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total hours | 2,000 | 1,500 |
| Supervision per period | 5% of hours | 7.5% of hours |
| Hours per period | 20 to 160 | 20 to 160 |
| Observation with client | 60 min cumulative | 90 min cumulative |
| Individual supervision | At least 50% | At least 50% |
| Unrestricted activities | At least 60% of total | At least 60% of total |

Source: BACB 2027 BCBA requirements.[1]

## What are restricted and unrestricted activities?

- **Restricted**: delivering therapy directly by following an existing protocol, like running programs with a client.
- **Unrestricted**: the analyst's work, such as conducting assessments, writing and revising plans, graphing and analyzing data, training caregivers and staff, and researching interventions.

Many trainees fall short on unrestricted hours. Plan for them from the start.

**Unrestricted ideas.** Draft a behavior plan for your supervisor to critique, run a preference assessment, graph a month of data and write a
  summary, or coach a caregiver on one strategy.

## How should I track my hours?

- Log hours **daily**, split into restricted and unrestricted.
- Record **supervision contacts**, whether each was individual or group, and **observation minutes**.
- Complete the **monthly verification form** with your supervisor every period.[1]
- Keep copies in two places.

## What makes supervision work well?

Research on BCBA supervision highlights clear expectations, a written contract, regular feedback, and addressing problems early.[3] Ask for a supervision plan with goals tied to the Test Content Outline.

**Check your supervisor's eligibility.** Supervisors must meet BACB qualifications, including certification and supervision training.
  [2] Verify before you start logging hours.

## What can I do this week?

- [ ] Sign a supervision contract
- [ ] Set up a tracking sheet or app
- [ ] Plan your first 3 unrestricted activities
- [ ] Put monthly form deadlines on your calendar

Read next: [How do I find a BCBA supervisor?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/finding-a-bcba-supervisor)

## Common questions

### What's the difference between supervised and concentrated fieldwork?

Concentrated fieldwork requires more supervision (7.5% instead of 5%) and more observation (90 minutes instead of 60), but only 1,500 total hours instead of 2,000.

### Can I have more than one supervisor?

Yes. The BACB has forms for individual supervisors and for multiple supervisors at one organization. Keep documentation organized for each.

### What counts as unrestricted?

Work that looks like a behavior analyst's job, such as assessment, program design, data analysis, and training caregivers or staff. Direct implementation of programs is restricted.

## Sources

1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board: 2027 BCBA requirements. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2027-BCBA-Requirements_260127-a.pdf
2. Behavior Analyst Certification Board: BCBA Handbook (supervised fieldwork requirements). https://www.bacb.com/bcba-handbook/
3. Sellers TP, LeBlanc LA, Valentino AL. Recommendations for detecting and addressing barriers to successful supervision. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0142-z

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.