PFDE Registration Information

Information on the 2026 PFDE session will be available in mid to late fall 2025. Please check back regularly for updates and important information regarding the 2026 PFDE Session.

The PFDE session will take place in Orlando, FL during the annual AIFD National Symposium. The exact dates for the Orientation and PFDE Session have not been established but will be available very soon.

In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with the following information:

Preparing for the PFDE session:

For current CFD Members: (If you have attained your CFD® through an AIFD® Education Partner or have participated in a previous PFDE session earning your CFD® membership.)

As a CFD® member in good standing you will need only to register for the PFDE session once the official registration opens.

Non-Members: (if you have never participated in a previous PFDE session OR participated, but did not achieve a score high enough to attain the CFD® designation)

For those who are not current CFD® members, but who are participating in classes with one of AIFD’s approved Education Partners. You may still work to obtain your CFD designation through one of AIFD’s approved Education Partners. Please check directly with the Education Partner of your choice to see when classes will available that apply towards the CFD designation and be sure to complete all necessary curriculum and testing with the Education Partner prior to making the decision to participate in the PFDE process. Once you have passed the requirements the Education Partner will information AIFD of your eligibility to receive your CFD designation which will allow you to proceed directly into the PFDE process with no further testing.

For those who are not working with one of AIFD’s approved Education Partners you may select to apply directly to the PFDE process which will require you to pass an on-line written test administered by AIFD. Dates for testing and information about the testing processing can be obtained but contacting info@aifd.org and requesting the current information.

Practice Makes Perfect: here are a few tips to help you prepare for the upcoming PFDE Session

• If you have recently participated in a PFDE session now is a great time to review your results and begin working on your trouble areas.
• Find a mentor. AIFD mentors are available through the National Membership committee. For more information on how to be connected to a mentor contact info@aifd.org with your request. Someone from the Membership Mentoring Team will then be in contact with you.
• Participate in AIFD Regional activities and educational programming. Each year the six regions of AIFD provide education programs and host mock testing to help people prepare for the PFDE session. Follow along on the different regional social media pages to learn more about the activities happening near you.
• Check the AIFD Calander events for educational events happening in your area and for on-line educational  opportunities. https://aifd.org/upcoming-events/events/

PFDE Registration process:

Registration for the 2026 PFDE session will available once the National Symposium Registration opens. To register for the 2026 PFDE session you will register through the official National Symposium Registration site not through the AIFD membership portal. If you do not complete your registration through the Official Symposium Registration site you are not considered registered for the 2026 PFDE Session. Registration for the PFDE session typically closes in early to mid-April. Please be sure to check back often for the official announcement of the 2026 PFDE dates for registration and testing.

There are a limited number of spots available for the PFDE session. Once registrations have met capacity registration will be closed which may happen prior to the established registration deadline.

A wait list will be established for those wishing to participate. While you are not guaranteed a spot in the PFDE Session if you select to be added to the Waitlist, PFDE spots do often open, and you may be required to make a last-minute decision if you would like to participate. We recommend if you have missed the deadline to register for the PFDE and wish to be put on the Waitlist, you complete at the very least a General Registration for the Symposium and book your travel to avoid last minute price increases for travel and lodging. This is especially important for anyone traveling internationally.

There is a cancellation policy in effect for all PFDE cancellations. The cancellation policy for 2026 session will be available once PFDE details are finalized. Please check back for often for more information as it becomes available.