BCBA Supervision Requirements Explained

Logging fieldwork hours is only half the equation. The BACB dictates exactly how much supervision you must receive, the format of that supervision, and the qualifications your supervisor must hold. Missing any of these thresholds can invalidate an entire month of fieldwork.

Supervision Percentage

Each calendar month (the supervisory period), a specific percentage of your total logged hours must be supervised:

• Supervised Fieldwork: At least 5% of hours must be supervised.
• Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork (Current): At least 10% of hours must be supervised.
• Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork (2027 Rule): Beginning January 1, 2027, the requirement drops to 7.5%.

If your supervision percentage falls below the requirement, you must decrease your independent hours on your documentation until the math works out, effectively losing those independent hours.

Contacts Per Period

You must meet with your supervisor a minimum number of times per month. A "contact" is defined as a real-time interaction (in-person or synchronous video) between the supervisor and the trainee on a given calendar day.

• Supervised Fieldwork: Minimum 4 contacts per period.
• Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: Minimum 6 contacts per period.

Note: The standalone "contacts per period" rule is replaced by a time-based observation requirement for candidates applying on or after January 1, 2027.

Individual vs. Group Supervision

While group supervision is an excellent learning format, it cannot comprise the majority of your supervision. At least 50% of your supervised hours must be individual (1-on-1). If your group hours exceed your individual hours in a month, the excess group hours must be removed.

Supervisor Qualifications

Before you begin, ensure your supervisor is qualified. Supervisors must be active BCBAs without current disciplinary sanctions, have completed the 8-hour supervision training, and meet ongoing supervision CEU requirements.

The 1-Year Rule: If your supervisor has been certified for less than one year, they are still qualified to supervise you, but they must be receiving monthly consultation from a qualified consulting supervisor. It is highly recommended to verify your supervisor's status in the BACB Certificant Registry before signing a contract.