Individuals may request to be placed on Special Circumstances Status for up to three years (one recertification period)
Special Circumstances Status (previously called Inactive Status) is an internal CFRE International administrative status only. Candidates who submit an Inactive Status application will be listed publicly as an active CFRE.
Reasons for requesting Special Circumstances Status include: unemployment, maternity/paternity leave, illness, and education.
During the Inactive period, the individual must meet the Education requirements of the application so as to keep abreast of changes in the field. The individual is not required to meet Professional Practice and Professional Performance requirements.
To apply, check the Special Circumstances Status box when starting a new recertification application.
The recertification fee is not waived for the period a person is Inactive and is to be paid at the time recertification is necessary.
Continuing Education Requirements
If the individual does not meet the continuing education requirements during the Special Circumstances period, the individual’s certification will expire.
Individuals will be required to begin the process again as a candidate for initial certification.
Maximum Time Period
Special Circumstances status is restricted to a maximum of three years and is based on the same three-year cycle as recertification. The CEO, upon request, may grant an extension of the special circumstances period for an additional three years.
Those individuals attempting to extend their special Circumstances period must demonstrate that they have made every attempt to meet the recertification requirements, as well as explain why they were unable to do so, due to illness, unemployment, or other reasons outside of their control.
The CEO may consult the Board for additional feedback in these cases.
