Aligned with the BACB 6th Edition TCO. Built for aspiring BCBAs and the RBTs they'll supervise.
Designed by ABA professionals. Priced for students.
A structured, activity-packed roadmap for supervisors and trainees — covering all 2,000 fieldwork hours using the 6th Edition TCO.
Plain-language explanations of every RBT Task List item, plus 100 exam-style questions with full answer explanations.
Click any tab to explore what's included.
These are the activities a BCBA performs daily. They involve clinical thinking, analysis, planning, training, and assessment — not direct therapy delivery.
These involve directly delivering therapeutic or instructional procedures to a client — the "hands-on" sessions. They're valuable but capped to ensure you develop higher-level clinical skills.
These cannot count toward your fieldwork hours at all, no matter how much time you spend on them.
This schedule is designed for trainees accruing 2,000 Supervised Fieldwork hours. Each month, supervision should include at least 4 contacts, 1 client observation, and cover the focus area below. Adjust pace based on individual competency.
| Period | Month | TCO Focus | Key Activities | Supervisor Checkpoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Month 1 | Orientation + Section A (Philosophical Foundations) | Sign supervision contract; tour documentation system; read Cooper, Heron & Heward Ch. 1; discuss radical behaviorism | Review and sign fieldwork agreement; confirm documentation system |
| M2 | Month 2 | Section B — Reinforcement & Punishment (B-1 to B-8) | Identify reinforcers/punishers in client session; run a preference assessment (MSWO); write definitions of all reinforcement types | Quiz on B-section terms; review preference assessment results |
| M3 | Month 3 | Section B — Schedules, Extinction, Stimulus Control (B-9 to B-17) | Graph a client's session data; identify schedule of reinforcement in use; observe extinction procedure; write a mini-analysis | Review graph and visual analysis; observe client session |
| M4 | Month 4 | Section B — Verbal Behavior, MOs, Rule-Governed (B-18 to B-24) | Label verbal operants in a video observation; compare rule-governed vs. contingency-shaped examples; discuss behavioral momentum with a case | Verbal behavior labeling checklist; case discussion |
| M5 | Month 5 | Section C — Measurement & Data Systems | Create operational definitions for 3 client behaviors; calculate IOA; design a data sheet; graph using Excel or Google Sheets | Review operational definitions and IOA calculations; check graphing accuracy |
| M6 | Month 6 | Section C — Data Display & Interpretation | Conduct visual analysis of 3 line graphs; practice identifying trend, level, and variability; write interpretation notes | Visual analysis accuracy check; review written interpretations |
| M7 | Month 7 | Section D — Experimental Design | Identify the design used in 3 published ABA studies; write a brief reversal design plan for a hypothetical case | Design identification quiz; review design plan draft |
| M8 | Month 8 | Section E — Ethics | Review BACB Ethics Code; complete 2 ethics case scenarios; discuss confidentiality boundaries in trainee's current setting | Ethics scenario debrief; check familiarity with BACB ethics code |
| M9 | Month 9 | Section F — Behavior Assessment Pt. 1 (Indirect & Direct) | Complete a parent/staff interview (MAS, FAST, or custom); conduct ABC observation for 3 sessions; summarize findings | Review FBA interview notes and ABC data; provide written feedback |
| M10 | Month 10 | Section F — Behavior Assessment Pt. 2 (FA & Skill Assessment) | Observe or assist in functional analysis; administer VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R; write a summary of assessment results | Debrief FA observation; review skill assessment scoring |
| M11 | Month 11 | Section G — Behavior-Change Procedures Pt. 1 (Reinforcement-based) | Write DRO, DRA, and DRI plans; identify NCR use in an existing plan; observe extinction procedure | Review written behavior plans for technical accuracy |
| M12 | Month 12 | Section G — Behavior-Change Procedures Pt. 2 (Antecedent & Prompting) | Design a prompt hierarchy for a skill program; observe and label prompting in a session; practice prompt fading plan writing | Observe trainee implementing prompt hierarchy; provide feedback |
| M13 | Month 13 | Section G — Procedures Pt. 3 (Shaping, Chaining, Token Economies) | Design a task analysis and chaining plan; practice running a shaping session; create a token board and implementation plan | Task analysis review; observe shaping session |
| M14 | Month 14 | Section H — Selecting & Implementing Interventions Pt. 1 | Write 3 SMART behavioral goals; practice prioritizing target behaviors with a hypothetical case; discuss least restrictive principle | SMART goal review; prioritization discussion with rationale |
| M15 | Month 15 | Section H — Interventions Pt. 2 (Generalization & Parent Training) | Design a generalization plan for an existing client goal; write parent training agenda; practice teaching a skill to staff using BST | Review generalization plan; observe or role-play BST staff training |
| M16 | Month 16 | Section I — Supervision & Performance Management Pt. 1 | Draft a sample supervision contract; review BACB supervision requirements; discuss cultural considerations in supervision | Review supervision contract draft; debrief supervision self-reflection |
| M17 | Month 17 | Section I — Supervision Pt. 2 (Performance Diagnostics & Feedback) | Practice delivering feedback using BST; conduct a performance diagnostic on a hypothetical RBT scenario; role-play supervisory conversations | Observe trainee delivering feedback; review performance diagnostic write-up |
| M18 | Month 18 | Mid-Point Comprehensive Review (Sections A–I) | Complete a mock BCBA exam (50 questions); identify 3 areas of weakness; create a focused study plan | Review mock exam results; update individualized supervision goals |
| M19 | Month 19 | Advanced Case Formulation | Present a full case conceptualization (assessment → goals → plan) to supervisor; receive structured feedback | Case presentation evaluation using competency rubric |
| M20 | Month 20 | Cultural Humility & Diverse Populations | Complete culturally responsive ABA reading; adapt a current client plan for cultural considerations; discuss BACB ethics on cultural competence | Cultural adaptation review; reflective discussion |
| M21 | Month 21 | Crisis, Safety & Restrictive Procedures | Review state/agency guidelines on restrictive procedures; analyze a behavioral crisis scenario; write a crisis protocol summary | Crisis protocol review; ethics discussion on restraint use |
| M22 | Month 22 | Exam Preparation — Weak Areas Deep Dive | Targeted study based on mock exam gaps; create flashcards for key terms; practice 2-3 practice exams; discuss exam strategies | Accountability check-in; exam strategy debrief |
| M23 | Month 23 | Final Fieldwork Hours & Documentation Audit | Conduct a complete hour audit; finalize Monthly Fieldwork Verification Forms; confirm all BACB requirements are met | Audit all documentation; review final verification forms; confirm eligibility |
| M24 | Month 24 | Completion & Transition Planning | Debrief full fieldwork experience; identify professional goals post-certification; review BCBA ethical responsibilities as a new supervisor | Final competency evaluation; celebrate milestone!; sign final verification forms |
Supervision doesn't have to feel like homework. These activities make learning ABA concepts memorable, practical, and even enjoyable. Each maps to TCO areas and can count as unrestricted or restricted hours depending on context.
Build a Jeopardy-style game with TCO categories (Reinforcement, Measurement, Ethics, etc.). Play in group supervision. Great for reviewing before exams.
Watch a short film clip and identify reinforcement contingencies, extinction, verbal operants, and motivating operations. Write a 1-page analysis.
Role-play giving constructive feedback to an "RBT" (played by a peer). Practice using Behavior Skills Training (model-lead-test) format.
Write a monthly one-page journal entry on one client's progress, including data analysis, programming decisions, and what you'd do differently.
Review anonymized ethical dilemma scenarios. Identify the BACB Ethics Code section that applies and write your recommended course of action.
Race to build the most accurate and interpretable graph from a dataset. Teams present their visual analysis. The supervisor judges on accuracy and clarity.
Assign a TCO item to the trainee. They prepare a 5-minute "micro-lesson" to teach it back to the supervisor or group as if training a new RBT.
Given a hypothetical client's ABC data, design a functional analysis. Specify conditions, dependent variable, session length, and predicted function.
As a group, create a visual mind map connecting all TCO sections. Use color coding to show how concepts relate. Great for visual learners!
Read a published ABA study, identify the design, dependent variable, IOA, baseline logic, and social validity. Write a one-page critique.
Role-play a parent training session on a skill (e.g., how to run a DTT trial). Peer gives feedback on clarity, empathy, and ABA accuracy.
Given a function (e.g., escape-maintained aggression), write a full BSP independently. Supervisor scores using a rubric and provides written feedback.
Review a sample behavior plan together. Discuss how cultural background might affect plan acceptability. Practice asking families culturally humble questions.
Listen to an ABA-focused podcast episode (e.g., Behavioral Observations, The Art of ABA). Write a brief reflection and connect it to a TCO item.
At Month 12 and Month 24, write a letter to your future BCBA self. Describe what you've learned, your growth areas, and your supervision philosophy.
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