April 22nd, 2026 Announcement
Contract Updates:
We will now be using a Google Form to submit any changes or updates to contracts moving forward. The link can be found here or on the Fellow Resources tab.
If you are changing your primary supervisor or adding a secondary supervisor to your supervision contract, please complete this form:
We’re excited to announce a new Fellowship Bonus and incentive structure designed to recognize your hard work, reward timely progress, and support your journey toward becoming a BCBA with Golden Steps.
This promotion is built to reward momentum, provide financial incentives along the way, and invest in your long-term success.
🌟 Fellowship Bonus Promotion Timeline
Fellows can earn bonuses for completing each tier within the following timeframes:
Tier 1: Complete within 4 months – $150 bonus (150 unrestricted hours + pass tier 1 competency)
Tier 2: Complete within 12 months – $250 bonus (400 unrestricted hours + pass tier 2 competency)
Tier 3: Complete within 20 months – $300 bonus (600 unrestricted hours + pass tier 3 competency)
Tier 4: Complete within 24 months – $300 bonus (complete all fieldwork hours + pass tier 4 competency)
👉 Bonuses are paid out as soon as each tier is completed—you do not need to wait until graduation.
-Current fellows, this will begin with the tier you are currently in.
🎓 BCBA Exam Support:
Fellows who meet each tier’s time requirement will have their first attempt at the BCBA exam paid for by Golden Steps.
⏸ Approved Exceptions
We recognize that circumstances may arise that impact hour collection. Approved exceptions include:
Pause in hour collection for maternity leave, health, or personal reasons (timeline pauses and resumes once hours restart; Fellowship approval required)
Primary BCBA unavailability due to capacity or availability (approval required)
Please note: Exceptions do not apply if supervision is declined due to performance, attendance, or professional concerns.
🚀 TAP Program Incentive (Student Loan Support)
Once you:
Complete all supervision hours
Pass the BCBA exam
Sign a contract with Golden Steps
You’ll be eligible for the TAP Program, an additional financial incentive to support your transition into your BCBA role.
Tier timelines do NOT affect eligibility for TAP program.
This bonus promotion reflects our commitment to supporting your growth, recognizing your effort, and celebrating your progress every step of the way. If you have questions or want to confirm your eligibility status, please reach out to the Fellowship team.
Please review the following information carefully, as the BACB has announced several important fieldwork and coursework changes that will go into effect January 1, 2027.
-These changes WILL apply to you if you apply to take your exam on or after January 1, 2027 (unless you’ve already submitted hours to sit)
-They will not apply to you only if you both apply for and PASS your exam before that date.
Key BACB Changes for 2027
No more mixed fieldwork.
Only the Supervised Pathway and Concentrated Pathway will remain.
All monthly verification forms will need to be changed to a 2027 MVF.
Concentrated Pathway supervision requirements will decrease from 10% to 7.5% per month.
The maximum monthly hour allowance will increase from 120 hours to 160 hours.
Coursework will now require an Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) course.
Please contact your academic advisor to confirm that your coursework meets these updated requirements.
These changes will also be reviewed briefly during the final few minutes of each group supervision this month.
Next Steps
Your leads will be reaching out soon to schedule a time to discuss your individualized plan of action, including whether you aim to test before or after January 1, 2027.
Review the updates to the HUB website as new resources have been added!
Fellowship Requirements Reinforced Starting January 1, 2026
Fellows must complete 30 hours of unrestricted fieldwork each month.
Milestone completion is required to remain in the program.
Fellows must complete approximately one milestone per month.
Attendance at monthly group supervision is required.
All hours must be entered into Ripley before the end of each month.