Who Can Supervise BCBA® Fieldwork? (And How to Choose the Right One)

Who Can Supervise BCBA® Fieldwork? (And How to Choose the Right One)

Not all BCBAs® can supervise your hours—here's what to look for.

If you're starting your BCBA® fieldwork journey, one of the most important decisions you'll make is who will supervise your hours. Your supervisor will guide your development, provide real-time feedback, and ultimately help prepare you for independent practice as a behavior analyst.

But did you know not just any BCBA® can supervise you?

In this post, we'll break down who qualifies to supervise BCBA® fieldwork, what the BACB® requires, and how to choose a supervisor who’s a great fit for your goals.

🧠 Who Can Supervise BCBA® Fieldwork?

According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®), your supervisor must meet specific qualifications to oversee your fieldwork hours:

They must be one of the following:

A BCBA® who:

• • Is currently certified and in good standing (i.e., no disciplinary sanctions)

  • Has been certified for at least one year

  • Has completed the 8-hour supervision training and ongoing CEUs in supervision

A newer BCBA® (<1 year certified) if they:

• • Meet the above criteria and

  • Are being formally consulted monthly by a more experienced, qualified BCBA® (called a consulting supervisor). Consulting supervisors must be certified for more than 5 years.

A licensed/registered psychologist who:

• • Is certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology

  • Was specifically tested in applied behavior analysis (valid until Jan 1, 2026)

An authorized VCS Instructor:

• • Only if supervising coursework-based fieldwork prior to January 1, 2026

🛑 Note: After January 1, 2026, psychologists and VCS instructors will no longer qualify as fieldwork supervisors unless they hold BCBA® certification and meet the other requirements.

📋 What Training Is Required to Be a Supervisor?

All supervisors must complete:

• • An 8-hour supervision training covering best practices, feedback, ethics, and systems

  • Ongoing supervision-specific CEUs every certification cycle

💡 Pro tip: Ask potential supervisors for the date they completed their supervision training—you’ll need it for your supervision contract.

🔎 How to Verify Supervisor Qualifications

Before agreeing to work with someone, make sure they’re actually eligible to supervise your hours.

✅ Use the BACB® Certificant Registry to:

• • Confirm they’re an active BCBA®

  • Check how long they’ve been certified

  • Ensure there are no current disciplinary actions

  • See if they’ve indicated willingness to supervise trainees

🤔 Questions to Ask a Potential Supervisor

Choosing the right supervisor isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about finding a mentor who aligns with your goals.

Ask questions like:

• • How long have you been supervising?

  • What settings and populations do you work with?

  • What does a typical supervision meeting look like?

  • How do you give feedback?

  • How do you organize documentation?

  • Have any of your trainees gone on to become BCBAs®?

💬 Bonus tip: Talk to previous supervisees if you can.

🧭 Finding the Right Fit: Clinical AND Personal

Fieldwork isn’t just about logging hours. It’s about learning how to think and act like a behavior analyst.

That’s why it's important to find someone who:

• • Has strong clinical experience in your areas of interest

  • Is organized and detail-oriented with documentation

  • Can give constructive, actionable feedback

  • Helps you grow—not just sign your forms

⚖️ Supervision Structures to Consider

You can receive supervision:

• • From a single individual (individual supervision)

  • Through a coordinated team of multiple supervisors at one organization

Each has pros and cons—just make sure your structure aligns with BACB® requirements.

💡 Final Thought

Your fieldwork supervisor will shape your entire journey toward certification. Take your time, ask good questions, and be selective. You want someone who doesn't just help you log hours—but helps you grow into a BCBA®.

📥 Free Resource

Need help organizing your supervision journey?
Download our → Feedback Preference Survey

📝 Copyright Notice

This content references materials from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). (2025). Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Handbook.
Copyright © 2025, BACB®. All rights reserved.
For the official and most up-to-date information, visit www.bacb.com.