Behavior Analysis, Inc. is a leading provider of training leading to Behavior Analysis Certification. We have been creating professional behavior analysts and associate behavior analysts since 1989! Our supervised independent fieldwork opportunities meet all current requirements established by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) for both Associate Behavior Analysts and Behavior Analysts. Below are the Supervised Independent Fieldwork requirements and procedure for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Click here for information about Supervised Independent Fieldwork for the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst.

Prerequisites. The candidates must have begun coursework to meet BACB requirements prior to accumulating experience. Therefore, any experience accumulated before the candidate has begun coursework cannot not be counted.

Fieldwork Requirements. The BACB requires the candidate to accumulate 1500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork (directly engaging in behavior analytic activities). To accumulate this fieldwork experience, the candidate must engage in 10 – 30 hours per week of behavior analytic activities for at least 3 weeks per month.

Appropriate Experience Activities. Appropriate behavior analytic activities include the following:

• Conducting assessment activities related to the need for behavioral interventions,
• Designing, implementing, and monitoring behavior analysis programs for clients,
• Overseeing the implementation of behavior analysis programs by others,
• Other activities normally performed by a behavior analyst that are directly related to behavior analysis such as attending planning meetings regarding the behavior analysis program, researching the literature related to the program, talking to individuals about the program; plus any additional activities related to oversight of behavioral programming such as behavior analyst supervision issues, or evaluation of behavior analysts' performance. The supervisor will determine if activities qualify.

BAI’s policy is that no more than 50% of the behavior analytic activities may consist of directly implementing (acquisition and/or reduction) behavior analysis programs (acquisition and/or reduction) for clients. The remaining 50% must involve conducting assessments, designing and monitoring behavior analysis programs, training others to implement behavior analysis programs, overseeing behavior analysis program by others and the other activities described above. BAI feels strongly that a competent behavior analyst’s repertoire must include systematic and precise intervention skills. However, while these skills are necessary, they are not sufficient to ensure competence as a behavior analyst. Therefore, BAI requires at least 50% of the experience activities to include the assessment and program design and oversight activities described above.

Examples of activities that are not appropriate as experience activities include: attending meetings with little or no behavior analytic content, providing interventions that are not based in behavior analysis, doing non-behavior analytic administrative activities, travel time, or any other activities that are not directly related to behavior analysis.

Appropriate Clients. The BACB states that clients may be any persons for whom behavior analysis services are appropriate. However, the candidate may not be the client's caretaker (primary or otherwise), related to the client's caretaker or related to the client. Candidates must work with multiple clients during the experience period.

Supervision Duration and Frequency. The BACB requires that the candidate must be supervised for 5% of the time he or she spends carrying out fieldwork activities and supervision must occur at least every two weeks. This means that the candidate must receive at total of at least 75 hours of supervision and these 75 hours must be broken out according to the number of hours he or she works per week.

Supervision Schedule. The schedules below indicate the duration and frequency of experience and supervision. Please note that this assumes the candidate completes all the hours every week without interruption. In most cases, the number of hours actually completed will be less than the scheduled number of hours due to client cancellations, candidate illness, holidays, vacations, etc.

• 10 hours per week

Minimum number of weeks to complete fieldwork requirement: 150

Amount of supervision required: 1.0 hours every two weeks

• 20 hours per week

Minimum number of weeks to complete fieldwork requirement: 100

Amount of supervision required: 2.0 hours every two weeks

• 30 hours per week

Minimum number of weeks to complete fieldwork requirement: 50

Amount of supervision required: 3.0 hours every two weeks

Supervision Activities. The supervisor must observe the candidate engaging in behavior analytic activities in his or her natural environment every two weeks. The supervisor will provide specific feedback to the candidate on his or her performance in many areas including, but not limited to: candidate-client interactions, implementation of behavioral procedures, assessment and analysis skills, client teaching skills, behavior reduction skills, writing skills, caregiver training skills, and so on. Observations may be conducted by the supervisor being physically present, and/or via web-camera, videotape, videoconferencing, or similar means.

At least 50% (37.5 hours) of the bi-weekly supervision time must be direct one-to-one contact between the candidate and the supervisor. Small group supervision is also allowed; however, no more than 50% (37.5 hours) of the bi-weekly supervision time may be conducted in small groups.

Supervisor Requirements. Any BAI staff member supervising BCABA candidates will be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in good standing with the BACB and will have been employed by BAI as a Behavior Analyst for at least six months prior to the beginning of the experience period. In addition, the supervisor may not be the candidate’s relative, subordinate or employee during the experience period.

Supervision Documentation. The supervisor and candidate will complete a “BACB Fieldwork and Practicum Experience Supervision Form” during each supervision contact. It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the form and to ensure the form is completed during each supervisory contact. The supervisor is responsible for keeping a copy of each completed form.

Supervision Options. Behavior Analysis, Inc. currently offers two options for Board certification as an Associate Behavior Analyst: Individual Supervision and Individual/Group Supervision.

• Individual Supervision. All supervision is provided to the candidate via direct one-to-one contact with the supervisor.

• Individual/Group Supervision. Supervision is provided through a combination of individual contact (50%) and small group contact (50%).

Cost. Cost of supervision depends upon the option selected (individual or group) and the amount of travel involved, if any. Please call us at (954) 577-7790 for more information. We also have internships available that will allow the candidate to receive supervision at no charge.

More Information. For more information on Supervised Independent Fieldwork requirements, see the Behavior Analysis Certification Board website. For more information about our specific program, contact us at (954) 577-7790.