IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

Developed more than 20 years ago, the IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF) designation has been the hallmark of internationally recognised accreditation of professionalism for process facilitators. To earn the distinction of a CPF, a candidate must have sufficient experience and skills as a process facilitator to demonstrate each of the six IAF Core Competencies. Previously conducted F2F several times per year in conjunction with IAF conferences and events organized worldwide, IAF has started to offer online assessment for candidates worldwide since 2020 with the same rigour and highest standards set for CPF assessments. A team of IAF assessors including 4 assessors, a Process Manager and a Technical Process Manager will be assigned for each CPF Assessment. The IAF’s assessment process will allow each candidate ample opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the IAF Core Competencies. During the assessment, the candidate provides evidence through written documents, verbal interviews, and an observed facilitation practicum which will be carried out live in a face-to-face setting or now using an online space. Currently, IAF only offers Online CPF Assessment and there are no dates scheduled for physical assessment event.

Assessment Process (Online)

The CPF assessment process is divided into 2 stages.

In Stage 1, candidate will submit a 3-part written documentation which include:

Part 1 – Administrative information about candidate
Part 2 – Short Career Resume
Part 3 – Training Courses attended, summary of facilitation cases with a variety of experience in terms of group size, processes, duration of engagement, in person and online facilitation demonstrating knowledge and skills across the 6 IAF Core Competencies.

You will only be invited to stage 2 upon clearing stage 1 of the assessors’ candidate documentation review.

In Stage 2, candidate will need to go through two interviews as well as facilitate a simulated workshop demonstrations that is pre-agreed with his/her assigned client-assessor. The assessment days typically covers up to 2 days depending on the number of candidates going through assessment. At the end of the last interview, each candidate will be informed if he/she “pass or defer”. The final evaluation and results are provided to the candidate in the form of a written report within two weeks after Stage 2 Assessment.

Preparation for CPF assessment

If you are interested in undertaking the assessment, you should review your facilitation knowledge, experience, and skills relative to the IAF Core Competencies.

If you’re based in Singapore, you may wish to consider attending Change@Werk Facilitation Skills Workshop to deepen your knowledge in facilitation and aligned with the IAF Core Competencies.

Proceed with your application when you feel you have the knowledge, skills, and experience to demonstrate your use of the IAF Core Competencies.

Certification Fees

The application fee for candidate is $2,500 USD

Validity of CPF Designation

  • Valid for four years.
  • Recertification is required with only document submission of past 4 years facilitation practices and experiences.  Recertification fee is $400 USD.

For more information of IAF CPF assessment dates and application package, click here