BCBA Fieldwork Placement: Factors to Consider Before You Start
- Ashleigh Evans (BCBA)
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
For aspiring behavior analysts, supervised BCBA fieldwork is essential for developing the competencies needed for long-term success. However, not all fieldwork placements offer the same quality or learning opportunities, which makes choosing the right site especially important. This article will walk you through what to look for when considering BCBA fieldwork options and how to determine whether it’s the right fit for your training goals.
Fieldwork Setting Options
First, let's take a look at the different types of settings for fieldwork hours. The most common setting for trainees is an ABA clinic or home-based ABA program. Typically, the trainee works as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) when accruing hours in this setting. While less common, some organizations also offer mid-level supervisory roles that allow trainees to accrue fieldwork hours with expanded responsibilities. Mid-level roles are generally much easier to secure unrestricted hours in.
Many aspiring behavior analysts also accrue hours in schools, working as teachers or paraprofessionals. Other trainees gain experience hours in hospitals, residential programs, day programs, recreation centers, or daycare settings.
Some trainees pursue hours in corporate environments, utilizing organizational behavior management (OBM). ABA is everywhere. It isn't just "autism therapy." Behavior-analytic principles can be applied in a wide range of settings. However, it's important to keep in mind that securing OBM-trained supervisors can be more challenging.
For those who don't have a qualified supervisor in their workplace, virtual supervision may be an option. Explore the Remote BCBA Supervisor Database to locate a supervisor. It's important to note that even if you do virtual supervision, you need clients/students, so you can't hire a BCBA to just give you mock client assignments.
Before pursuing supervised fieldwork, take time to reflect on your long-term professional goals. When you envision yourself working as a BCBA, what settings do you see yourself in? Which populations do you want to serve? What areas of practice interest you most? Clarifying these factors can help guide your search and increase the likelihood of finding a fieldwork site that supports meaningful, competency-based training.
What to Look for in a BCBA Fieldwork Site
After considering what type of setting(s) and client population(s) you're interested in, it's time to start looking at your options. When evaluating potential settings, assess for:
Opportunities for Unrestricted Hours
Working in a direct care role, like an RBT, often comes with limited opportunities for unrestricted work. While trainees may reach the maximum allowable restricted hours relatively quickly, accumulating unrestricted hours typically takes much longer.
Unrestricted hours involve tasks that a BCBA would perform in a typical role—administering assessments, writing programs, training staff and parents, etc. Mastery of these skills is essential not only for passing the BCBA exam, but more importantly, for delivering high-quality, ethical care once certified.
Inquire about how many monthly hours you can expect for both restricted and unrestricted time. Using that information, you can calculate how long it would take to hit your full 2,000 hours.
BCBA Fieldwork Structure
Evaluate how well organized and structured the organization appears to be. Is fieldwork an afterthought, just another task loaded on already busy BCBAs? Or is it carefully structured with systems in place to support trainees through the process?
Look for sites that offer:
Clearly defined roles and expectations
Consistent, scheduled supervision meetings
A structured program for systematically developing core competencies
A reliable system for tracking fieldwork hours and competencies
Intentional planning for unrestricted hour opportunities
Clear communication and feedback processes
Caseload and Learning Variety
It's really beneficial to work with a variety of learners and supervisors. Consider whether potential sites offer opportunities to work with different age groups, skill levels, and behavioral needs. Exposure to multiple service delivery models can also strengthen clinical flexibility and decision-making.
Variety in supervision styles can be equally valuable. Learning from more than one BCBA allows trainees to observe different approaches to assessment, programming, and personnel management.
Average Pass Rate at Organization
It can be helpful to hear about the pass rates that the supervisors you’re considering have with past supervisees. While this isn’t the only factor to consider, it can be a useful indicator of how well a site prepares trainees for the BCBA exam and for competent, independent practice. Nonetheless, it should be noted that not every organization tracks metrics on this.
Experienced Supervisors With a Strong Culture of Mentorship
The ABA field has undergone tremendous growth in the last several years, making it heavily dominated by newly certified analysts. While new BCBAs bring valuable perspectives, it can be incredibly beneficial to have access to experienced supervisors. This is why the BACB made the new requirements a few years back that new BCBAs must have an experienced consulting supervisor to provide fieldwork hours.
Also seek out an organization with a strong culture of mentorship—those that value and invest in staff growth and development. When evaluating a fieldwork site, consider how supervisors are selected and trained, how mentorship is embedded into the organization’s culture, and whether trainees are supported throughout the entire fieldwork process.
BACB Requirements Knowledge
This may sound obvious, but many trainees report working with supervisors who are not fully up to date on current BCBA fieldwork requirements. When evaluating a potential fieldwork site, it’s essential to ensure that your supervisor has a strong, current understanding of BACB supervision standards.
While trainees are also responsible for knowing and following the requirements outlined in the BCBA Handbook, having a supervisor who is well-versed in these expectations makes a significant difference. Knowledgeable supervisors can help prevent compliance issues, ensure hours are accrued appropriately, and provide guidance that aligns with both certification and ethical practice.
Evaluate the Cost-Benefit
BCBA fieldwork often comes with financial and time-related tradeoffs, making it important to evaluate the cost–benefit of each opportunity. While some fieldwork sites offer fully paid positions, like a mid-level supervisor, others may require unpaid hours.
If you secure a supervisor outside of your workplace, you'll likely need to pay for supervision. There are both benefits and drawbacks to this. Of course, there's the financial investment, which isn't feasible for everyone. However, this setup can sometimes come with better quality supervision and more diverse learning opportunities.
It's not a one-size-fits-all. Consider the following factors when weighing your options.
Paid versus unpaid: Are you looking for a position to accrue your hours while on the job, or are you open to unpaid opportunities? Keep in mind that even if you do get hours through your job, they may not pay for all unrestricted time. Be sure to ask how this works at any organization you're inquiring about.
Supervision costs: Are there supervision fees, and if so, how are they structured? Note: Typically, when supervision comes with a fee, trainees only pay for the actual supervised time, not all fieldwork hours.
Time to completion: Will the site allow you to accrue enough hours to finish fieldwork within your ideal timeframe?
Long-term value: Will the experiences provide strong mentorship and skill development that can justify any investment?
Contractual requirements: Many ABA providers offer free supervision for RBTs, but require them to sign a contract to maintain employment for a set period of time (e.g., free supervision, but you must stay with the company for two years post-certification or pay back $10,000). Ensure you fully understand and agree to any contingencies before signing.
Additional Resources
How to Become a BCBA: Take a deep dive into all the requirements for BCBA certification, including education, fieldwork, and the exam.
Understanding BCBA Fieldwork Hours: Gain a better understanding of what fieldwork hours are and how to get them.
How to Get Unrestricted BCBA Fieldwork Hours: This article explores the various opportunities for accruing unrestricted hours.
2025 BCBA Fieldwork Clarifications: This guide outlines updates to the BCBA Handbook made in August 2025. The most significant being that all fieldwork hours must apply to real clients. Mock scenarios aren't allowed.
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