CPFFE: Certified Personal & Family Finance Educator

The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) proudly offers a gold-standard, assessment-based certification for Personal and Family Finance Educators that is:

    • Developed by National Financial Education Leaders.
    • Consistent with the U.S. National Strategy for Financial  Literacy and National Standards For Personal Financial Education published by Jump$tart and the Council on Economic Education.
    • Open to educators across many disciplines and practice settings, including public and community education programs.

How does a professional earn the CPFFE certification?

  • Pass the competency exam associated with the credential - Click here to learn more about exam content and format and to register for an exam administration
  • Within 10-14 days after successful completion of the competency exam, candidates will receive an exam notification and certification application via email.
  • Upon receipt of the certification application, submit the application and official transcript verifying completion of a baccalaureate degree
  • Pay the initial certification application fee according to the following fee schedule:
    • Current AAFCS Members: $250 initial certification fee
    • Graduating Seniors (full-time university, college, or post-secondary students): $175 initial certification fee
    • Nonmembers of AAFCS: $350 initial certification fee
    • NOTE:  The initial certification fee covers the cost of obtaining the certification credential and the first three-year certification cycle. The certification cycle renewal fee is $195 is assessed at the end of the three-year cycle.
  • Ascribe to the Professional Code of Ethics
  • Suggested Reference List- CPFFE

How does a professional maintain the CPFFE certification?

  • Pay a cycle (three-year) maintenance fee ($195 for active; $165 for retired)
  • Meet professional development requirements - As a measure of quality assurance, maintaining the CPFFE credential carries a requirement of completing a minimum of 75 professional development units (PDUs with 1 PDU equaling 1 clock hour) over a period of 3 years. To qualify, the professional development must be related to the competencies identified as the basis for the certification.  Click here for details on reporting professional development activities and certification renewal.  


Earning Professional Development Units (PDUs)

Access a general announcement of the Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator (CPFFE) credential

Read the USA Today Early Financial Literacy Supplement with CPFFE insert