- You need a master's degree or higher.
- You need behavior-analytic content: an accredited program (Pathway 1) or 315 hours of coursework (Pathway 2).
- You need 2,000 supervised or 1,500 concentrated fieldwork hours.
- Then you pass the BCBA exam, based on the 6th edition Test Content Outline.
What are the two pathways?
Beginning January 1, 2027, the BACB accepts two pathways:1
| Pathway 1 | Pathway 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Master's or higher from an APBA-accredited program, or an ABAI-accredited or recognized program (Tier 1, 2a or 2b) | Master's or higher in any field from a qualifying institution |
| Behavior-analytic content | Built into the degree | 315 hours of behavior-analytic coursework |
| Fieldwork | 2,000 supervised or 1,500 concentrated hours | 2,000 supervised or 1,500 concentrated hours |
| Exam | BCBA exam | BCBA exam |
The BACB has announced it will remove Pathway 2 in 2032.1
What coursework does Pathway 2 require?
315 instructional hours at the graduate level, completed within 10 years of applying, with a C or better:1
- Basic principles of behavior (45 hours)
- Theory and philosophy (45)
- Research methods (45)
- Behavior assessment and intervention (90, across two courses)
- Organizational behavior management (45)
- Ethics (45)
What are the fieldwork requirements?
| 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 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Individual supervision | At least 50% | At least 50% |
| Unrestricted activities | At least 60% | At least 60% |
Full details: How does BCBA supervised fieldwork work?1
What's on the BCBA exam?
The exam follows the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.), in effect since January 1, 2025. It has 185 questions, 175 of them scored, across nine content domains.3 Study tips: How do I pass the BCBA exam?
What can I do next?
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Already an RBT? Read How do I go from RBT to BCBA?
