CFCS Professional Certification

AAFCS provides three premier credentials for family and consumer sciences professionals:

CFCS
Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences (broad field)
 

CFCS-HDFS
Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Development and Family Studies (concentration)
 

CFCS-HNFS
Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Food Science (concentration)

CPFFE
Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator

AAFCS offers four nationally recognized exams assessing professional competencies:

Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Composite Examination
Human Development & Family Studies (HD&FS) Concentration Examination
Hospitality, Nutrition, & Food Science (FN&FS) Concentration Examination
Personal and Family Finance Educator (PFFE) Concentration Examination

The exams are used by universities as a program exit requirement, states as a content area exam for teacher licensure, and AAFCS as a requirement for the corresponding CFCS credential.

Maintaining Certification
To maintain certification, a CFCS is required to earn 75 professional development units (PDUs) every three years by participating in approved professional meetings and workshops, publishing, self-study, academic courses, and noncredit continuing education programs. An annual renewal fee is also required.

Certification Examination
The national Family and Consumer Sciences competency examinations are available for electronic administration at over 200 testing sites throughout the United States, as well as pencil/paper administration by special arrangement.

Contact the AAFCS Office of Certification at 703-706-4600 or visit the Certification Program section of their website to get more detailed information and request an application to get your certification.

Professional Development Units (PDU) Opportunities

The Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences offers and promotes approved activities whereby Professional Development Units may be acquired. The association newsletter regularly lists a number of professional development opportunities and contact persons.

Accreditation-College/University Programs

University Program Accreditation:   http://aafcs.org/CredentialingCenter/Accreditation.asp