Understanding Restricted vs Unrestricted Activities in BACB Fieldwork

One of the most important aspects of BACB fieldwork is understanding the distinction between restricted and unrestricted activities. This classification directly impacts your eligibility for certification, as the BACB requires that at least 60% of your fieldwork hours must be unrestricted activities.

What Are Unrestricted Activities?

Unrestricted activities are those that involve direct client interaction or activities that directly relate to client services. These are the core competencies of a behavior analyst and include:

Direct Service Activities

• Conducting assessments (FBAs, preference assessments, skills assessments)
• Implementing behavior intervention plans
• Direct observation of client behavior
• Data collection during client sessions
• Parent/caregiver training
• Modeling interventions for staff

Client-Related Activities

• Writing behavior plans
• Analyzing client data
• Preparing session materials for specific clients
• Case consultation about specific clients
• Writing client progress reports
• Attending IEP meetings

What Are Restricted Activities?

Restricted activities are those that do not involve direct client work but are still valuable for professional development. These can comprise up to 40% of your total fieldwork hours:

Professional Development

• Attending workshops and conferences
• Reading research articles
• Participating in general staff meetings
• Completing online training modules

Administrative Tasks

• General administrative duties
• Filing and organizing (non-client specific)
• Scheduling appointments
• General office management

The 60/40 Rule

The BACB mandates that your fieldwork must maintain a minimum ratio of:

• 60% Unrestricted Activities (client-focused)
• Maximum 40% Restricted Activities (non-client focused)

Why This Matters

This requirement ensures that aspiring behavior analysts gain substantial hands-on experience working with clients, which is essential for developing clinical competence. The ratio reflects the reality of professional practice, where the majority of a BCBA's time should be devoted to client services.

Tracking Your Ratio with SupervisionHub

SupervisionHub makes it easy to maintain compliance with the 60/40 rule:

1. Activity Classification: When logging hours, simply select whether your activity was "Unrestricted" or "Restricted"
2. Automatic Calculation: The system automatically calculates your running ratio
3. Compliance Warnings: Receive alerts if your restricted activities exceed 40%
4. Visual Dashboard: See your current ratio at a glance on the compliance dashboard

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misclassifying Activities

Mistake: Counting general training as unrestricted Correction: Unless training specifically relates to a current client, it's restricted

2. Forgetting to Track Classification

Mistake: Not documenting whether activities are restricted or unrestricted Correction: Log this information immediately after each session

3. Backloading Unrestricted Hours

Mistake: Trying to "catch up" on unrestricted hours at the end Correction: Monitor your ratio weekly and adjust your activities accordingly

Best Practices for Maintaining Compliance

1. Plan Your Week: Schedule a mix of activities to naturally maintain the ratio
2. Regular Monitoring: Check your ratio weekly, not monthly
3. Communicate with Supervisors: Discuss your ratio during supervision
4. Prioritize Client Work: When possible, choose client-related tasks
5. Document Thoroughly: Clear documentation prevents classification errors

Special Considerations

Group Supervision

Group supervision can be either restricted or unrestricted depending on the content:

• Unrestricted: Discussing specific client cases
• Restricted: General skill development or theoretical discussions

Research Activities

Research participation classification depends on the nature:

• Unrestricted: Research directly involving client intervention
• Restricted: Literature reviews or general research activities

Conclusion

Understanding and maintaining the proper ratio of restricted to unrestricted activities is crucial for BACB certification eligibility. By using SupervisionHub's tracking features and following these guidelines, you can ensure your fieldwork meets all requirements while gaining the comprehensive experience needed to become an effective behavior analyst.

Remember: When in doubt about classification, consult with your supervisor or refer to the current BACB Fieldwork Requirements document. Proper classification from the start prevents complications during your certification application.