Requirement changes
BACB 2027 fieldwork requirements: what's new, what's changed
If you apply for BCBA certification on or after January 1, 2027, the monthly cap rises from 130 to 160 hours, Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork supervision drops from 10% to 7.5%, and observation minutes replace monthly contact and observation counts. Ripley supports both rule sets, selected by application date.
Last updated July 20, 2026 · Reviewed by the Ripley team
Key facts at a glance
- Applies only if you apply on or after January 1, 2027
- Concentrated supervision drops 10% → 7.5%
- Client observation becomes 60 minutes supervised / 90 minutes concentrated
- The monthly maximum rises from 130 to 160 hours
- Ripley tracks both rule sets, set by your application date
Who needs to follow the 2027 requirements?
Anyone applying for BCBA certification on or after January 1, 2027. These updates affect how you log hours, get supervised, and complete documentation. If you'll apply before that date, the current (2022) requirements continue to apply to you.
Current vs 2027 requirements, side by side
| Requirement | Applying before Jan 1, 2027 | Applying on/after Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised Fieldwork, total hours | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork, total hours | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Concentrated hour multiplier | ×1.333 | ×1.333 |
| Monthly hour window | 20–130 hours | 20–160 hourschanged |
| Supervised Fieldwork, monthly supervision | 5% of hours | 5% of hours |
| Concentrated, monthly supervision | 10% of hours | 7.5% of hourschanged |
| Supervisor contacts per month | Required count | No separate contact countchanged |
| Client observation requirement | Required observation count | 60 min supervised / 90 min concentratedchanged |
| Observation tracking | Count of observations | Cumulative observed minuteschanged |
Source: BACB fieldwork requirement updates as implemented in Ripley. Always confirm against the current BACB handbook for your application year.
How to switch Ripley to the 2027 requirements
Open My Profile and toggle your Application Date to Before January 1, 2027 or On or After January 1, 2027. You can switch back and forth at any time. Ripley automatically adjusts your requirements, so you can plan confidently as your certification timeline evolves.
New hour-entry fields: observation minutes
Under the 2027 standards you no longer count contacts and observations per month. Instead, you enter the total time your supervisor observed you with a client, in minutes, on each supervised entry. Ripley totals observation minutes across the month and checks them against your fieldwork type's requirement: 60 cumulative minutes for Supervised Fieldwork or 90 for Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork.
The monthly dashboard, updated for 2027
The Monthly Dashboard displays observation timefor each supervised entry, totals it across the month, and shows whether you've met the required observation minutes for your fieldwork type, Concentrated or Non-Concentrated.
2027-compliant Monthly Verification Forms
Ripley generates 2027-compliant Monthly Verification Forms for users applying on or after January 1, 2027, and supports generating forms retroactively so you can complete missing documentation for previous months.
2027 requirements FAQ
Who needs to follow the 2027 BACB requirements?
What changes for Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork in 2027?
Do contacts and observations still count under the 2027 rules?
How do I switch Ripley to the 2027 requirements?
Primary sources
Requirement claims on this page were reviewed against current BACB publications.
- [1]2027 BCBA Eligibility Requirements · Behavior Analyst Certification Board, accessed Jul 20, 2026
- [2]Guidance for Those Applying for BCBA Certification During the 2027 Transition · Behavior Analyst Certification Board, accessed Jul 20, 2026
- [3]BCBA Handbook · Behavior Analyst Certification Board, accessed Jul 20, 2026
Related reading: What the 2027 BACB fieldwork rules change