Restricted vs unrestricted hours: the 60% rule

Key facts at a glance

At least 60% of total hours must be unrestricted
No more than 40% may be restricted
For 2,000 hours: ≥1,200 unrestricted, ≤800 restricted
Measured against total accrued hours, not each month

Based on a 2,000-hour pathway. The 60/40 split applies to total accrued hours.

Why the split exists

The BACB wants fieldwork to build the analytic skills a BCBA actually uses, not just hands-on implementation. So it caps restricted (direct-treatment) hours at 40% and requires the majority, 60% or more, to be unrestricted behavior-analytic work, measured against your total accrued hours.

What counts as each

Examples of unrestricted vs restricted fieldwork activities
Unrestricted (≥ 60%)	Restricted (≤ 40%)
Conducting assessments (FBA, skills, preference)	Running 1:1 discrete-trial or NET sessions
Writing and revising behavior-intervention plans	Implementing a client's treatment protocol
Graphing and analyzing client data	Collecting data during your own direct session
Training staff, RBTs, or caregivers	Delivering instructional procedures to a client
Program design, research, and supervision meetings	Hands-on prompting and reinforcement delivery

How to plan the mix

Front-load unrestricted work rather than saving it for the end. If your role is mostly direct 1:1, ask your supervisor for assessment, graphing, and training opportunities early.

Ripley total-hours dashboard showing the restricted vs unrestricted split with the 60% unrestricted minimum — Ripley shows your running restricted/unrestricted split against the 60% minimum.

The fieldwork hours calculator shows your target unrestricted total, and the full requirements guide covers every other rule.

Keep your 60/40 split honest

Ripley separates restricted and unrestricted hours automatically as you log.

Track your split free

Restricted vs unrestricted FAQ

What is the 60% unrestricted rule?

At least 60% of your total fieldwork hours must be unrestricted, behavior-analytic activities. No more than 40% may be restricted (delivering treatment directly to a client). For 2,000 hours that means at least 1,200 unrestricted and at most 800 restricted.

What counts as unrestricted hours?

Activities that build core BCBA skills: conducting assessments, designing and revising programs, graphing and analyzing data, training and supervising staff or caregivers, and other behavior-analytic work that is not direct 1:1 treatment.

What counts as restricted hours?

Delivering therapeutic and instructional procedures directly to a client, essentially the hands-on implementation work an RBT typically does. It is capped at 40% of total hours.

Is the 60/40 split monthly or total?

It applies to your total accrued hours, not to every single month. Still, planning a healthy unrestricted share each month is the safest way to land above 60% overall.

Primary sources

The 60% unrestricted requirement and activity definitions were reviewed against BACB publications.

[1]BCBA Handbook · Behavior Analyst Certification Board, accessed Jul 20, 2026
[2]2027 BCBA Eligibility Requirements · Behavior Analyst Certification Board, accessed Jul 20, 2026