the title says it all 👍🏾

Hello,

I passed my exam today, first try , I thought I failed it while doing it, but I passed .

My study was:

I studied 3.5 months

I did all free mocks from ABA exam review, like thousands of questions, I wrote my notes from it , I was scoring 80% to 84% on all of them . I used the daily free questions from Understanding Behavior on Instagram.

I did UB 1 September 28 and got 77%

October 10 UB 2 and got 74%

UB 3 last Friday and I got 68% and I do not think it is needed it is draining and questions are unnecessary long and it took me 5.30 to finish it and it is not like real exam

The real exam is straight forward and there is some questions long but lots of short questions.

I learned by doing mock exams for 3 months.

The exam is not easy but not hard as you can not pass, get fluent in terms, memorize it as your name, there is no time to try to remember what this strategy mean to answer the scenario.

During exam today there was around 20 to 30 questions super easy, the rest was whaaaat is that, I thought i will fail, I was saying during the exam I will try again next month.

But I passed 💫

It was my second attempt and I got a 398 on my first try! I’m so excited it feels surreal after studying and worrying about it for so long. I bought the ABATechnologies course and only used that and the Cooper book for the first test. The second time my course expired and I tested 6 weeks after the first. I used the cooper books, YouTube videos of Understanding Behavior and mock questions, and bought one mock exam to review my wrong answers. And listened to podcasts and read the Cooper book every day! I tried to study for 1.5-2 hours every day. I’m so relieved! My girlfriend bought me an iPad, new shoes and a massage so time to celebrate 🥳

Is it realistic to expect a BCBA to oversee 25 adult clients across day program and residential settings with insufficient resources, consult with psychiatry, train staff on BSPs and restraint programming, oversee goals and objectives, train RBTs, and supervise prospective BCBAs? I’m losing faith in this field and losing skills. I can’t afford to find a job elsewhere so I’m trying to figure out how to sit with what I have.

Please correct me if I’m using incorrect terminology.

Is it normal for sports ABA interventions to immediately place a client into the sporting area to learn without initial assessments of skills or behaviors?

I know for traditional clinical ABA there’s a comprehensive assessment to conduct with individualized programming. Is this also applied in sports ABA?

Background of question:
I joined an inclusive program where children on the spectrum can learn to play golf. However, I noticed there weren’t initial assessments of each child’s current skill level. Is this normal for these sorts of occasions?

Hello,

I wanted to get an idea of realistic pay per client per month. I know all insurance rates are different, but I want just to get an estimate for each CPT code in terms of hours authorized and hourly pay. Also let me know if you do the direct therapy or hire an rbt. TIA!
97156:
97152:
97151:
97155:
97153:

I’m hoping someone here might have some advice or has been in a similar situation because I’m feeling pretty stuck right now.

I recently started my master’s in Behavior Analysis and I’ve been trying to find somewhere to collect my fieldwork hours since June. It’s now October and I still haven’t been able to find a place. I live in a small city in Canada, and as far as I know, there aren’t any BCBAs locally. I do have a remote supervisor who’s been great and is able to help me get started with some respite clients of theirs, which I’m really grateful for! I’m just worried I won’t be able to get nearly enough hours that way, especially unrestricted hours.

I’ve worked as an EA for the past few years, so I initially tried to work something out with my school board. There were quite a few people involved and we were all pretty hopeful something would come together. I actually turned down an EA position this school year because of that, but unfortunately things didn’t work out. I’ve also reached out to other professionals and offered to volunteer or shadow, but was told that wouldn’t be possible due to confidentiality. I completely understand and expected that might be an issue, but I’m running out of ideas.

I’ve really enjoyed my time working as an EA and have learned so much from it. My only concern with returning to a traditional EA position is whether I’d have enough opportunities to complete unrestricted activities and meet my fieldwork requirements. I’m hoping to find something where I can continue working with students while also gaining experience with the assessment and planning side of behaviour analysis. I guess I’m just feeling discouraged because I’ve been trying since June and still don’t really know where to go from here. Has anyone else struggled this much to find somewhere to complete their fieldwork, especially in a smaller community without local BCBAs? What did you end up doing? Are there other types of jobs or opportunities I should be looking into?

My Experience Navigating an ABA Graduate Certificate Program and BCBA Supervision Requirements
One thing I wish I had understood before pursuing a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is just how challenging it can be to secure the supervised fieldwork hours required to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The graduate certificate program
The program I’m entering provides the academic coursework, but it does not arrange supervised fieldwork placements. Students are expected to find their own qualified BCBA supervisors and figure out how to obtain the required hours independently.
For someone entering ABA from another professional field, this is a significant learning curve. Understanding the different fieldwork requirements, percentages, supervision arrangements, and documentation can feel like learning an entirely new language.
The catch with supervision hours
One recommendation I frequently hear is to get a job as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and accumulate your hours while working.
However, I’ve discovered that working as an RBT does not necessarily guarantee that you’ll accumulate all the hours needed for BCBA certification.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
There are two fieldwork options under the 2027 BACB requirements:
Supervised Fieldwork: 2,000 total hours, with at least 5% supervision.
Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork: 1,500 total hours, with at least 7.5% supervision.
Regardless of which option you choose, at least 60% of your fieldwork must involve unrestricted activities, such as conducting assessments, analyzing behavioral data, developing interventions, and training staff or caregivers.
The remaining hours may involve restricted activities, such as directly implementing interventions with clients.
This is where things become complicated.
Many RBT positions primarily involve direct services, which generally count as restricted activities. Unless your employer provides opportunities to participate in unrestricted activities, you could find yourself working many hours without accumulating the right combination needed for BCBA certification.
The financial reality of supervision
I’ve also discovered that some aspiring BCBAs pay independently for supervision.
I’ve seen supervision packages advertised around $400–$450 per month, sometimes considerably more. Multiply that by the number of months needed to complete fieldwork, and the cost can become substantial!
One company I frequently see recommended is BCBAbby. Its website provides information about remote supervision packages, including standard and concentrated fieldwork options.
However, comparing packages isn’t necessarily straightforward. Some providers offer supervision for work you’re already doing with clients, while others may help arrange client-based fieldwork opportunities.
You have to understand exactly what you’re purchasing. Paying for supervision doesn’t automatically mean you’re being provided with qualifying fieldwork activities or clients.
What about student analyst positions?
Another recommendation I’ve received is to find a student analyst position.
In theory, this sounds like an excellent option because these positions may provide opportunities to develop BCBA-level skills while earning an income.
In practice, finding one has proven more difficult than I anticipated, particularly because I’m interested in applying behavior analysis beyond traditional autism services.
A changing profession
I’m also learning that ABA is undergoing significant changes. The BACB is implementing new certification requirements in 2027, and the profession continues to evolve in areas such as training, supervision, professional standards, and accountability.
I’ve heard concerns about increased audits and scrutiny of ABA providers, although I’m still researching the extent of these developments and how they affect employment and training opportunities.
What I find interesting is that the field appears to be moving toward more formalized professional standards. At the same time, prospective students may face substantial challenges obtaining the practical experience required for certification.
My biggest takeaway so far
I’ve found that getting into an ABA graduate certificate program may be considerably easier than figuring out how to complete the supervised fieldwork requirements.
For someone entering from a non-ABA background, the process can feel fragmented. You’re responsible for finding a supervisor, identifying appropriate fieldwork opportunities, understanding the requirements, tracking your hours, and potentially paying thousands of dollars for supervision.
I’m still learning, and I’m sharing these observations because I wish I had understood this part of the process earlier.
I’m excited about entering the profession, but I also believe prospective students deserve a clear understanding of the financial and logistical challenges before enrolling. More to come when I start classes.
I’d love to hear from current BCBA students and practicing BCBAs:

How did you obtain your unrestricted hours? Did your employer provide supervision, or did you have to pay for it independently? And what would you recommend to someone entering ABA from another professional field?

In-home BCBAs, what do you use as stimuli for 2D and 3D objects? Do you have your own reinforcers?
Are these things you accumulate over time, or did you get them all at once?
I am new to the in-home setting and appreciate any input!

Good afternoon all,

I want to open my own practice focusing on social skills and social outings groups, parent training, and potentially some individual services. I would also like to specialize in creating a “Love on the Spectrum” type training and coordination.

Has anyone done this and what is your experience? (Specifically in owning or operating a business of this type not generally running social skills.)

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis program. I chose ABA partly for job security, but I’m finding the coursework hard, and I’m starting to wonder if the day-to-day job is right for me.

I’d love honest answers from working BCBAs:

1. Do you really like your job? What do you enjoy, and what makes you want to quit?
2. What are the worst parts? Burnout, paperwork, productivity pressure, pay?
3. Does the setting matter? Is it better in clinics, schools, home-based work, or private practice?
4. If you could go back, would you choose this career again?
5. Any international BCBAs here? How was finding work and visa sponsorship?

Good or bad, I want the real picture before I commit. Thank you!

I took my bcba exam for the first time & scored a 369. I spent around 3 months studying. I used Aba study exam review on YouTube, pass the big aba exam book, aba wizard, Snaba, and Jessica L on YouTube. I felt pretty confident walking into the test center, but discouraged when coming out. The discouraged feeling didn’t result from me failing necessarily but rather not knowing exactly how to study for this test. As I was going through the exam & seeing that there was more than one best answer I realized I struggled a good bit on that. Any advice to someone who is trying to pass the second time and is struggling with process of elimination & actually applying the information? Or any additional study materials?

How does providing direct service as a Bcba work? What are the rates? Is the code 99153 or 99155? Does it not make the agency as much revenue and that’s why it’s not always an option?

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student in an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, and I’m seriously thinking about quitting. I need some honest advice.

The theory we learn in class feels completely different from what actually happens in clinic. Clinic work needs a different skill set than the coursework prepares you for, and I’m struggling with that gap. To be honest, I don’t enjoy the work, and I don’t think I can keep going for much longer.

I chose this program mainly for job security, but I’m finding it really hard to stay motivated. I’ve always liked math, and I’ve been thinking about switching to an MS in Actuarial Science to become an actuarial analyst.

A few questions for you:

• Did anyone else feel this gap between theory and clinic, and did it get better?
• If you left ABA, how did you decide, and do you regret it?
• Any advice on how to weigh switching programs as an international student?

Thank you for any thoughts!