Fieldwork: Direct vs. Indirect Activities
Fieldwork is supervised, hands-on experience in the field, carried out together with supervision. Countable activities split into ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’, and QABA requires a balance between the two.
It runs alongside supervision
Fieldwork and supervision are not separate stages — they happen over the same period. You accrue fieldwork hours by performing direct and indirect activities in the field, while regularly receiving supervision (guidance and case review). That is why STEP 2 is a single bundle: ‘Fieldwork (practicum) + Supervision’.
Direct activities
Up to 40%Time spent face-to-face with the client (child/student), assessing or delivering intervention/instruction.
Examples
- Running 1:1 or small-group intervention/teaching sessions
- Conducting assessments / preference assessments with the client
- Observing behavior and collecting data on site
- Modeling caregiver/teacher coaching with the client present
Indirect activities
At least 60%Clinical/administrative work done without the client present. QABA requires the indirect portion to be larger.
Examples
- Data analysis, graphing, progress review
- Designing and revising behavior intervention plans (BIP)/programs
- Writing reports and records, preparing sessions
- Participating in supervision meetings / case reviews
- Studying relevant literature and research activities
How it's counted (QABA handbook)
- Activity balance: indirect ≥ 60% and direct ≤ 40% (e.g. QBA 2,000h = indirect ≥ 1,200h / direct ≤ 800h).
- Monthly caps: up to 140 fieldwork hours and up to 7 supervision hours per month (QBA/QASP-S).
- Minimum monthly supervision ratio: at least 5% of that month's fieldwork hours must be received as supervision (e.g. 100 fieldwork hours → at least 5 supervision hours).
- At least 1 hour per month must be in-person or live video supervision contact.
- Fieldwork hours count only after the first class of the coursework (270h for QBA) begins.
- Direct/indirect hours and supervision records can be auto-tallied and summarized monthly with SAAT.
This is educational/reference information based on the QABA handbook. Requirements may vary by credential and time, so confirm exact criteria with the official QABA handbook and a 1:1 consultation.