How to Gain Unrestricted BCBA Hours
- Ashleigh
- May 15
- 5 min read
Gaining supervised fieldwork hours is a necessary step on the path to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). While this experience is exciting, many aspiring behavior analysts struggle to find quality unrestricted hours to develop the competencies of a BCBA. Oftentimes, they get stuck in direct care roles with overworked supervisors who offer restricted hours but significantly limit unrestricted time. This can be frustrating, but there are options out there. Let's explore where you can get quality unrestricted BCBA fieldwork hours.
Restricted vs Unrestricted BCBA Hours
First, let's review the difference between restricted and unrestricted BCBA hours. These are two distinct categories of fieldwork hours described in the BCBA Handbook.
Restricted hours include time spent directly implementing treatment goals with a client. In other words, the BCBA creates programs, and you run those goals with the client. Restricted hours are typically accrued in a Behavior Technician or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) role.
Unrestricted hours include time spent developing BCBA-level competencies—completing tasks a BCBA would typically do.
Examples of BCBA Unrestricted Hours
There are many tasks that could fall under unrestricted hours, including:
Conducting skill assessments (e.g., MOTAS, VB-MAPP, AFLS)
Supervising and training technicians
Running caregiver treatment guidance (parent training)
Graphing and analyzing behavior and skill data
Researching & creating programs or BIPs related to the research
Designing skill acquisition programs
Writing treatment plans
Assessing treatment effectiveness and making recommendations for modifications
Creating systems for data collection
Related: Understanding BCBA Fieldwork Hours
Can You Complete Unrestricted Hours Remotely?
There are many unrestricted tasks that trainees may be able to complete remotely. This would need to be discussed with and approved by your supervisor.
Can RBT Training Count Toward Fieldwork Hours?
No, trainings, including the 40-hour RBT training, cannot count toward fieldwork hours. While the RBT course, workshops, conferences, and other professional trainings can be highly valuable for an aspiring behavior analyst, they don't count as unrestricted hours. The tasks you do during your fieldwork experience should actively prepare you for your future role as a BCBA.
Where Can You Get Unrestricted Hours?
There are a few options for obtaining unrestricted fieldwork hours. Carefully consider each option when deciding which one is right for you.
Working as a BT/RBT
The most common way people accrue fieldwork hours is within their position as a Behavior Tech or an RBT. Typically, their direct supervisor (or multiple supervisors) provides the supervised fieldwork. There are both pros and cons to gaining hours in this way. One major benefit is the cost-effectiveness, as the hours would be provided without a fee. However, it's important to fully consider whether there are potential post-supervision costs. For example, many companies offer free supervision, but if you leave the company within X years, they charge you for the cost of those hours. If your company offers hours, be sure to verify whether there would be a contract that could limit your ability to seek new employment opportunities.
Another potential drawback is that sometimes BCBAs are overworked and don't have the capacity to provide true quality supervision. This goes hand-in-hand with another challenge of getting assigned unrestricted hours. RBTs who accrue hours in their position typically have no problem maxing out on their restricted hours but struggle to get their BCBA to assign enough unrestricted tasks. If you find yourself in this position, my best piece of advice is to self-advocate and provide feedback to your BCBA. Additionally, review the tasks that qualify as unrestricted hours and recommend some options to your supervisor.
Working as a Mid-Level Supervisor
Working in a mid-level role provides many additional opportunities for accruing fieldwork hours, as a majority of your work would include BCBA-level tasks. Typically, mid-level supervisors must have behavior technician experience, so if you're new to the field, get your foot in the door as a Registered Behavior Technician first.
Search for job titles, like:
ABA Treatment Therapist
Case Manager
ABA Mid-Level Supervisor
Assistant Supervisor
Lead Behavior Technician
Student Analyst
ABA Intern
University Practicum
Some universities offer supervised fieldwork experiences. Check with your school to see if this is an option. If you haven't yet begun your master's program, consider looking into programs that offer a fieldwork experience.
Find a Remote Supervisor
Remote BCBA supervision has become increasingly common, providing additional opportunities for trainees to gain high-quality hours. You may want to consider remote supervision if:
You work in a field outside of ABA (e.g., teaching) and don't have access to a BCBA
Your supervisor at work doesn't have the capacity to provide supervision or is not assigning enough unrestricted hours
You want to gain a broader range of experience beyond your current role (e.g., exploring jobs in health and fitness)
The obvious downside to remote supervision is the financial commitment. Remote supervisors typically charge between $50-$100/hour for supervised hours. That fee is only for supervised hours, not independent ones.
➡️ You can find a remote fieldwork supervisor on the Remote BCBA Supervisor Database.
Do You Have to Work as a Behavior Technician Before Becoming a BCBA?
It's a common misconception that being a BT or RBT is required before becoming a BCBA. However, working as a behavior technician is not a prerequisite to earn BCBA certification. Restricted hours aren't actually required at all. You can potentially accrue all 2,000 hours completing unrestricted tasks.
You can accrue fieldwork hours in nearly any role that allows you to teach skills and improve behaviors through behavior-analytic concepts. For some, this includes teaching. For others, it could involve working in a corporate setting, developing improvement plans to boost performance. There are many potential options.
Are Unrestricted Hours Paid?
Whether or not companies pay for unrestricted hours will depend on various factors. If you're accruing hours through your job, many of the tasks you do will likely be paid, as they benefit the client and/or company. However, there may be some unrestricted tasks you do that won't be paid. It's best to clarify these expectations with your employer.
Can You Accrue BCBA Hours in Multiple Settings?
Yes, you can gain fieldwork hours in multiple settings. It is encouraged to gain diverse experiences during your BCBA supervision. One important thing to note, however, is that if you accrue hours in two separate settings at the same time, you need to meet all monthly requirements separately. That means in both settings, you would need:
4 monthly contacts
1 monthly client observation
Supervision for 5% of the hours you accrue in that setting
Tips for Gaining Unrestricted Hours
The fieldwork process can be confusing, but you don't have to go at it alone. Here are a few tips.
Be proactive—Review the BCBA Handbook in full to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the fieldwork requirements.
Suggest activities—Recommend potential activities you can do to accrue fieldwork hours. This shows initiative!
Ask questions—Don't hesitate to ask all the questions. This is a learning experience. Your supervisor should be there to support you and answer questions and concerns along the way.
Give feedback—Feedback is bidirectional. Provide your supervisor with feedback on what you need to be successful.
Communicate regularly—Open and ongoing communication is critical. If you identify barriers to effective communication, let your supervisor know.
Maintain compliance—Avoid any mishaps that could delay your ability to get certified by ensuring compliance with fieldwork requirements. This is where knowledge of the requirements is critical. Be sure you understand what constitutes unrestricted hours, restricted hours, and what doesn't count toward fieldwork hours at all.
Gain diverse experience—Aim to work with multiple clients across settings and populations. Working with multiple supervisors is beneficial as well.
Embark on Your BCBA Supervised Fieldwork Experience
Securing a quality BCBA fieldwork supervisor doesn't have to be a struggle. Whether you're looking to obtain supervision through your job or considering remote supervision, opportunities are out there.
Looking for a position in ABA to start accruing fieldwork hours? Explore the ABA Job Board for open roles that offer fieldwork hours. Considering remote supervision? Check out the Remote BCBA Supervisor Database!
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