Section 4 Ethics Code

Compliance with Supervision Requirements (Standard 4.01)

  • Behavior analysts must be knowledgeable and compliant with all applicable supervisory requirements, including BACB rules, licensure, and organizational policies.

  • This includes various modalities (in-person, video) and structures (individual, group).

  • This standard is broader than BACB supervision standards, covering all relevant supervisory activities based on practice context.

Supervisory Competence (Standard 4.02)

  • Behavior analysts supervise and train only within their identified scope of competence.

  • They must obtain knowledge in effective supervisory practices and engage in continual self-evaluation and professional development.

Supervisory Volume (Standard 4.03)

  • Behavior analysts must take on an appropriate volume of supervisees and trainees to ensure effective supervision and compliance with all relevant requirements.

  • Considerations include client demands, supervisee caseload, and available time. Ongoing assessment and documentation of supervisory capacity are crucial.

Accountability in Supervision (Standard 4.04)

  • Behavior analysts are fully accountable for their supervisory practices and the professional activities of supervisees or trainees during the supervisory relationship.

Maintaining Supervision Documentation (Standard 4.05)

  • Behavior analysts must create, update, store, and dispose of supervision documentation, adhering to BACB rules, licensure, and organizational confidentiality policies.

  • Documentation must be accurate and retained for at least seven years or as legally required.

Providing Supervision and Training (Standard 4.06)

  • Supervision and training must be evidence-based, focus on positive reinforcement, and be tailored to each supervisee or trainee's unique circumstances and needs.

Incorporating and Addressing Diversity (Standard 4.07)

  • Behavior analysts integrate and address diversity topics (e.g., age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) during supervision and training.

Performance Monitoring and Feedback (Standard 4.08)

  • Behavior analysts conduct ongoing, evidence-based data collection and performance monitoring of supervisees and trainees.

  • They provide and document timely, formal and informal feedback, and implement improvement plans for performance issues.

Delegation of Tasks (Standard 4.09)

  • Tasks can only be delegated to supervisees or trainees after confirming their competence.

  • Delegation must comply with supervision agreements and relevant policies.

Evaluating Effects of Supervision and Training (Standard 4.10)

  • Behavior analysts continuously self-evaluate their supervisory practices using feedback from clients and supervisees.

  • Evaluations must be documented, and practices adjusted based on outcomes.

Facilitating Continuity of Supervision (Standard 4.11)

  • Supervisors must minimize interruptions to supervision, proactively plan for both planned and unplanned disruptions, and communicate measures to relevant parties.

  • A backup plan, possibly involving a secondary supervisor, is encouraged.

Appropriately Terminating Supervision (Standard 4.12)

  • Behavior analysts develop planned termination strategies to mitigate negative impacts on supervisees or trainees.

  • All actions and outcomes related to termination planning must be documented. If abrupt termination occurs, paperwork should be managed for potential handover.