Core Requirements
2027 BACB Requirement Changes: What You Need to Know
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board has introduced significant updates to the fieldwork requirements that will take effect on January 1, 2027. Any candidate applying for certification on or after this date must comply with these new rules, regardless of when their fieldwork hours were accrued.
What's Changing?
The new rules focus on providing more flexibility while providing exact client observation tracking. Here is a side-by-side breakdown of the critical updates.
| Requirement | Before 2027 | Jan 2027 & after |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Hour Cap | Max 130 hours | Max 160 hours |
| Concentrated Supervision % | 10% of total hours | 7.5% of total hours |
| Client Observation | ≥ 1 session per period | ≥ 60 min (Standard) / 90 min (Concentrated) |
| Supervision Contacts | ≥ 4 or 6 contacts per period | Replaced by observation time |
Observation Becomes Time-Based
The most significant change is the shift in how client observations are tracked. Previously, trainees simply needed one recorded observation session per supervisory period. Under the 2027 rules, observation is cumulative and time-based:
- Standard Supervised Fieldwork: 60 minutes cumulative per period.
- Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: 90 minutes cumulative per period.
You must log the exact minutes and setting name for every observation session. If you miss this threshold, the entire month of hours is invalidated.
Elimination of Pathways 3 & 4
Additionally, the BACB is retiring specific degree pathway options. Effective January 1, 2027, only Pathway 1 (Accredited Degree) and Pathway 2 (Coursework) will remain available for BCBA certification.
The app applies the right thresholds based on your date.
Track My BCBA tracks both the current rules and the 2027 requirements, automatically checking your monthly totals, supervision %, and cumulative observation minutes against the rules that apply to you.
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