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CFRE Recertification Overview

Certification processes are especially valued because of their assurance that certified individuals continue to maintain or increase their knowledge and skills related to the profession.  Recertification is a critical element in any professional certification process.

CFRE International requires recertification every three (3) years.  Candidates are not required to take the exam again.  However, they must submit a new written application which documents their continued involvement in four specific areas related to the field. 

For a PDF summary of the application requirements, click here.  For a Candidate Handbook with detailed policies and procedures, click here.

Requirements:

1. Professional Practice:  Continued practice as a fundraising professional engaged in the generation of philanthropic funds.  30 out of 36 months of employment are required.  Those without sufficient Professional Practice should consult the Inactive Status Policy.
2. Education:  Ongoing professional education through attendance at conferences, workshops, seminars, etc. OR teaching the same such programmes OR writing articles about fundraising for the profession.  45 hours of education are required.  Those without sufficient Continuing Education should consult the Recertification by Exam Policy below.
3. Professional Performance:  Demonstration of fundraising results through actual funds raised and/or Communications Projects (PDF) impacting fundraising and/or Management Projects (PDF) impacting fundraising. 40 points of performance are required.
4. Service:  Service to the nonprofit sector through volunteer work.  55 points of service are required.

Recertification Process:
Candidates must submit a printed, signed, written application no fewer than 60 days before the expiration date of their certification.  This date can be found on the individual’s certification letter, certificate or in their on-line certification record.

Candidates are expected to monitor their own recertification date and submit the necessary information by the stipulated deadline.  CFRE International does send notices of the need to recertify to both the last email and mailing address on file. Failure to receive a notice of the need to recertify or simple failure to submit a recertification application in no way changes the expiration of the credential.

All candidate applications are reviewed in detail.  If additional or clarifying information is needed, the candidate will be contacted directly, usually via email.  If no response is received, or if additional information is not sufficient, the candidate will be put into a pending status and given an additional six months to comply.  The candidate retains his/her certification during this period.

All candidates are notified in writing of their certification status following the CFRE International Board of Directors meeting during which action was taken on their application.  This Board meeting occurs the same month as the recertification expires (i.e., March, June, September, and December)

Grace Period for Application
If an application is not received from a candidate by his or her recertification deadline, an automatic six (6) month grace period is granted.  There is no change to a candidate’s certification status during this grace period. 

If a candidate does not submit an application by the end of the grace period, his or her certification permanently expires and is removed from his or her records. 

In order to regain right to use the credential, the candidate must apply for certification as a candidate for initial certification and receive a passing score on the current form of the written exam.

Failure to receive a notice of the need to recertify or simple failure to submit a recertification application in no way changes the expiration of the credential.

Candidates with questions or concerns about their certification status should contact the CFRE International office directly as soon as there is a concern or question.