ABAT® Supervision Requirements

Our Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) supervision requirement supports our mission to ensure best practice across QABA’s three-tiered model. ABATs provide services under the ongoing supervision of mid-tier and higher certificants. This close supervision provides both oversight for clients and serves to help ABATs expand their skills under the tutelage of experienced practitioners.

Supervision must be documented using the QABA supervision log and verification forms located on the QABA website. Supervision must be validated and completed by a qualified supervisor and is the responsibility of the ABAT to maintain documentation.

Valid Supervisors include:

  • QBA
  • QASP-S
  • Certified Behavior Analyst from an accredited certifying body (must have completed 8 hours of supervisory coursework)
  • Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst from an accredited certifying body (must have completed 8 hours of supervisory coursework)
  • Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), and/or Licensed Psychologist who demonstrates they have ABA within their scope of practice (LP)

All supervisors must be in good standing with their perspective boards. Supervisors must have an active and valid certification and/or license during the onset and for the duration of the supervision agreement.

Supervisors and supervisees must not be related nor have a dual-relationship of any sort at the onset or for the duration of the supervision contract.

If at any point in time the supervisor’s certification or license becomes revoked, suspended, expired, or is subject to criminal charges, the supervision contract will be considered terminated from the date of revocation, suspension, expiration, or criminal charges. Supervisees should take applicable measures to document this.

Hours accrued during a time period where a valid fieldwork supervision contract is not in place will not be counted towards total fieldwork supervision hours.

Supervision Hours

Each ABAT is required to meet with his or her supervisor monthly for 5% of the total time they provide behavior analytic services. Supervision may be done remotely, using software that meets privacy requirements such as HIPAA-compliant video conferencing program; however, one of the contacts must be in-person or live via video conferencing for a minimum of 1 (one) hour. 50% of supervision hours may occur in a group setting. Group participant totals for each setting are at the discretion of the supervisor.

Supervisees must be actively working in or practicing ABA in some capacity. Supervisees can accrue no less than 20 hours per month and no more than 140 hours per month.

Fieldwork hours must be accrued within a 7-year time period.

Hours cannot be accrued prior to a candidate taking their first course in their ABAT coursework sequence.

Supervision Activity

Supervisors communicate performance expectations and evaluate ABATs for overall performance. The supervisor must determine which activities qualify for fieldwork hours and if they reflect QABA standards. Through observation and modeling, they provide ongoing behavioral skills training and continual performance feedback. Supervisors model best practice in all aspects of the ABA field, including technical, professional performance and ethical behavior. Supervisors record data and monitor daily progress of ABATs’ adherence to and delivery of client behavior therapy plans.

Supervision activities may include:

  • Professional communication and skills to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
  • Receiving supervision and feedback
  • Data collection
  • Attending planning meetings regarding the behavior analytic program for their clients
  • Implementing behavior intervention plan designed by a supervisor
  • Providing behavioral health services under supervision
  • Observing, shadowing, role play
  • Delivering client performance feedback to supervisors
  • 1:1 Direct care services

Supervisor Eligibility Requirements

Supervisors must complete QABA’s required coursework (QBA and QASP-S credentials require this coursework before certification) before providing supervision of ABATs. All supervisors must possess current credentials and fulfilled the requirements as outlined in the candidate handbooks on the QABA website.

Documentation Conflict or Error:

In the event, there is an error or conflict between the supervisor and supervisee related to the documentation of fieldwork supervision:

It is the responsibility of the supervisee to properly document the issues and submit them to QABA. The supervisee should submit the following items if applicable:

  • A detailed document outlining the discrepancy or issue.
  • A copy of the fieldwork agreement signed by both parties.
  • Any signed fieldwork supervision document(s) obtained prior to the issues.
  • Any other supporting documentation.

Contract Agreement:

The supervisee and supervisor must implement a contract agreement prior to the onset of supervised fieldwork and must maintain and adhere to that agreement for the duration of the supervised fieldwork. If the supervisor and supervisee terminate the contract, the final verification form must be completed by that supervisor and maintained by both parties. A new agreement must be implemented once a new supervisor is identified. All contracts are subject to submission at the request of the QABA. Contracts should outline the following criteria:

  • Clearly identify the supervisor and the supervisee.
  • Include each person’s credentials, certification and/or licensure, and their number.
  • Expectations of both the supervisor and supervisee are clearly stated.
  • Include a statement where both parties agree to follow the QABA mission, code of ethics, rules, policies, and competency standards as it relates to the fieldwork supervision.

All documents submitted will be sent to the QABA board for review. The QABA board reserves the right to reach out to the supervisor for further investigation. The QABA board reserves the right to approve or deny the application based on sufficient or insufficient evidence and proof.