Membership FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are the steps to becoming a Certified Floral Designer (CFD®)?
2. How do I become an Accredited member of AIFD®?
3. What is the difference between a CFD® and an Accredited member of AIFD®?
4. If I am currently a CFD® what do I need to do to become an AIFD® member?
5. How much does it cost to become a member?
6. Where can I find more information about your online classes and how to register for them?
7. How much are the dues for CFD®s and Accredited AIFD® members?
8. Do CFD®s and Accredited AIFD® members need continuing education?
9. When is the next Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE®) going to be held?
10. I want more information about Part II of the PFDE®: the hands-on design evaluation.
11. What is the AIFD® policy on the members rights to use the trademarks “AIFD®” and “CFD®?”
13. What are AIFD® Sustaining Member Benefits?
14. Does AIFD® offer monthly dues installment options for Active Members and Certified Floral Designers?
Answers:
1. What are the steps to becoming a Certified Floral Designer (CFD®)?
There are three ways to become a Certified Floral Designer.
- Enroll and participate in our Professional Floral Design Evaluation® and receive the necessary scores.
- Enroll and complete the appropriate courses at an AIFD® Education Partner, State Floral Association, or SAIFD Chapter.
- Participate and earn an average score of 7.0 for all designs with no design lower than a 6.5 in the SAIFD Student Competition at Symposium.
You can find more information here.
2. How do I become an Accredited Member of AIFD?
There is only one way to become an Accredited Member of AIFD®:
- Participate in the Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE®) and achieve scores at the level required to receive an invitation to AIFD®. You can find more information here.
3. What is the difference between a CFD and an Accredited member of AIFD?
- While both Certified Floral Designers and Accredited members of AIFD® are recognized for their design abilities, AIFD® members are distinguished as design artists who have committed themselves to advancing the art of professional floral design through education, service and leadership. Both AIFD® and CFD® designers must maintain their status by earning continuing education units. Accredited Members must earn 30 continuing education units every five years and must have at least five (5) out of their 30 CEUs in the service/leadership area, and CFD’s must earn 25 continuing education units every three years (CFD®). Because AIFD® members and CFDs pay annual dues, they DO NOT have to pay a fee when they submit their CEU reports.
4. If I am currently a CFD® what do I need to do to become an AIFD® member?
- Once you become a CFD® you are eligible to participate in the next PFDE®. You DO NOT need to take the online test again. You will need to complete the Application to Participate and pay the appropriate fees Depending on your PFDE® scores you will either remain a CFD® or you will be invited to become AIFD® and inducted at the following year’s Symposium.
5. How much does it cost to become a member?
a. $1,750 to take the PFDE® only or $2,250 for PFDE® + General Registration to attend the National Symposium.
b. If you are invited and accept your invitation to join AIFD® as an Accredited Member, there will be an application fee, along with an induction and certification fee (approximately $500 total for all three).
6. Where can I find more information about your online classes and how to register for them?
- You can find out more information about AIFD® online classes in our Online Education Center. They are $79 for AIFD® members and $99 for nonmembers.
- You can find more information here.
7. How much are the dues for CFDs and Accredited AIFD® members?
- Accredited members pay $359 in annual dues, or $309 if paid by the early bird deadline.
- CFDs pay an annual renewal fee of $234 (or $184 if paid by the early bird deadline).
8. Do CFDs and Accredited AIFD® members need continuing education?
- Both AIFD® and CFD® designers must maintain their status by earning continuing education units. Accredited Members must earn 30 continuing education units every five years and must have at least five (5) out of their 30 CEUs in the service/leadership area, and CFDs must earn 25 continuing education units every three years (CFD®). There is no fee associated with CEU remittance. You can find out more information about CEU remittance here.
9. When is the next Professional Floral Design Evaluation® (PFDE®) going to be held?
- The PFDE® is held each year just prior to the National Symposium. This typically takes place on or around the 4th of July. More PFDE®’s may begin to be scheduled throughout the year on an as-needed basis. Please check the Calendar of Events for the next PFDE®.
10. I want more information about Part II of the PFDE®: the hands-on design evaluation.
- How much time are we given?
- What tools can we bring?
- How many designs do we need to complete?
- How are designs scored?
- We have an entire section of our website designated to discussing the PFDE® hands-on design evaluation, and we highly recommend that you take some time to read over it here: PFDE® Hands-On Design Evaluation Details.
11. What is the AIFD® policy on the members rights to use the trademarks “AIFD®” and “CFD®”?
- For complete details on the AIFD® and CFD® trademark please click here.
12. What is “Life Membership Status” for an AIFD® Member and how long do you need to be a member before achieving this?
- Life Membership is defined as follows: Any Accredited Member, having completed 35 years of continuous membership, shall automatically be granted Life Membership and as such shall be waived of any National and/or Regional Chapter dues. Life Membership is also granted to each National President five years after the completion of his or her term in office, assuming he or she had maintained his or her Accredited Membership. It is also awarded to those members who receive the AIFD® Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD® (Fellow). Life Members shall be entitled to all privileges of membership as those afforded an Accredited Member. Annual Membership Fee is $0.00.
13. What are AIFD® Sustaining Member Benefits?”
- Available to Accredited Members and Certified Floral Designers, this category of membership may be used by any member at any time in his or her membership career for a limit of two years. It was designed to assist members who may be considering a career change, but may be claimed for any reason. Sustaining Members pay half dues during these years. Sustaining Members are afforded all rights and privileges of Accredited members or CFDs while in Sustaining Member status.
14. Does AIFD® offer monthly dues installment options for Active Members and Certified Floral Designers?
- Yes! Each year during membership renewal season, increasing numbers of Accredited Members participate in the AIFD® Recurring Renewal Program. We have recently extended this option to Certified Floral Designers as well! It is an easy way to maintain your annual membership dues or certification fees. By completing the Recurring Renewal Contract, and providing your credit card details, your dues/fees are charged in 12 installments throughout the year. If you are interested in taking advantage of this convenient way of handling of your annual membership dues or certification fees, please contact headquarters.
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