Educational Pathways

To enroll as a candidate in AIFD’s Certified Floral Designer (CFD) program, a designer must first successfully complete one of five education-based pathways aimed at assuring the designer has a fundamental grasp of the elements and principles of the art of floral design, as well as design techniques and concepts.

Pathway One: Designers with 3+ years of experience — Complete PSA application form.

Pathway Two: Complete courses that meet learning objectives.

Pathway Three: Complete an undergraduate degree or studies in a qualified program.

Pathway Four: Complete design education programs.

Pathway Five: Complete five online AIFD courses (online and hands-on workshops)

Pathway One:
Complete a Professional Skills Assessment (PSA) application form (three year minimum work experience in the floral industry required).

The PSA education pathway for a floral designer to qualify for enrollment into AIFD’s Professional Floral Design Evaluation system with the goal of earning a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) designation and ultimately membership in AIFD, was created for professionals who have three or more years design experience. It allows potential candidates to evaluate their floral design knowledge in advance of the PFDE testing process.

Print out and complete the “PSAApplication.”  This Application includes the Professional Verification Form, which must also be completed. You must also download and review the Online Written Test Objectives and the PFDE Hands-on Evaluation Objectives. You do not need to turn in those objectives, they are for review purposes only.

Pathway Two:
Complete courses that meet learning objectives as established by AIFD and offered by AIFD Education Partners. Click here to see a list of approved PFDE Pathway Providers.

Pathway Three:
Complete an undergraduate degree or studies in a recognized floriculture or horticulture program offered through a higher education institution hosting an AIFD Student Chapter. Click here to see a list of SAIFD Chapters.

Pathway Four:
Complete design education programs that meet learning objectives established by AIFD and offered through a state floral association certification program. Click here to see a list of approved PFDE Pathway Providers.

If you are currently trying to get your state floral association certification program approved as a PFDE Pathway provider, please download, complete and return the State Certification Verification Form to AIFD Headquarters at 720 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230. It may take up to two weeks for a state association to be notified that their certification program has been approved as an AIFD PFDE Pathway provider. Once your state floral association has been approved as an AIFD PFDE Pathway provider, you may then enroll as an AIFD PFDE Candidate through this pathway.

Pathway Five:
Complete five online courses and the required hands-on workshop offered by AIFD. Three of the five courses will be strictly online courses which must be completed before the last two courses. The last two courses will be a combination of online learning and hands-on workshops that you must appear for on-site. To learn more about each class and register, please click here to visit the AIFD Online Education Center.

AIFD offers five online video learning programs. It is recommended that the first three classes be taken in order:

1. Introduction to Floral Design
2. Elements and Principles of Design, and
3. Design Techniques and Applications.

After completing the first three classes, PFDE candidates may then enroll in the final two classes (Personal Flowers: To Wear or Carry and Arrangments: Everyday & Sympathy). Each of these dynamic learning experiences features a two-part learning experience:

1. The online video lesson, and
2. A hands-on, in-person, 6-hour class (sites and dates to be determined).

The cost to enroll in each video class is $79 for AIFD members and AIFD Friends and $99 for others. The hands-on workshops are 16 hours (Two four-hour sessions per day — Day 1: Arrangements, Day 2: Personal Flowers); fee includes all flowers and materials. (Pricing will vary according to workshop.)