Please see the bottom of this page for forms and other materials related to the Abbreviated Application Process.

The CFLE Standards & Criteria document includes information on the history and purpose of the designation as well as information on the application processes and the requirements for maintaining the CFLE designation.

Graduates of CFLE-Approved Academic Programs can apply for Provisional or Full Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process. Each CFLE-Approved Program has a checklist of coursework that has been approved by NCFR to meet the CFLE requirements. Students must complete all courses (grade of C- or better) on the school checklist (in addition to an Internship/practicum of at least 120 hours) in order to qualify to apply through the Abbreviated Application Process. Applicants must apply within two years of graduation, and all courses on the checklist must have been completed no more than five years prior to graduation. Applicants applying through the Abbreviated Application Process DO NOT need to take the CFLE Exam.

Abbreviated Application Directions

Step-by-Step Guide to the Abbreviated Application Process (starts on slide 36 of the presentation)

Applicants wishing to apply through the Abbreviated Application Process must submit the following:

• Abbreviated Application Form and Abbreviated Application Fee ($110 for NCFR Members; $155 for non-members). Please note, application fees are non-refundable.
• Checklist from NCFR-Approved Academic Program. Find your school checklist.
• Signed copy of the CFLE Code of Ethics
• Official transcript showing degree completion (Transcript must have watermark or embossment. It does not have to be mailed directly from the school or be in a sealed envelope.) Please note that we cannot accept photocopied, emailed, faxed or electronic transcripts.

Submission Deadline

There is no submission deadline for Abbreviated Applications. Applicants must apply for CFLE within two years of graduation. Contact Maureen Bourgeois at maureenbourgeois@ncfr.org or more information.

Coursework

Graduates wishing to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation through the Abbreviated Application process must complete all coursework on their school's NCFR CFLE checklist.

Because the Abbreviated Application Process is intended for those who have current knowledge in the ten FLE content areas, CFLE-approved coursework must be completed no more than five years prior to graduation.

The Abbreviated Application Process is only available to students completing CFLE-approved coursework after the school's program has been approved by NCFR. (The program approval date is noted on the school's checklist). Applicants can substitute up to two courses. Directions for course substitutions are included on the Abbreviated Application form and in the Abbreviated Application Directions.

Please note: The courses listed on your school's checklist are required to cover the content for the CFLE designation. Even though a CFLE course might not be required for your degree program, you still need to take it (or an appropriate substitution) if you want to receive the CFLE designation.

Course Substitutions

Courses used in substitution for NCFR-approved courses must cover the same content. Please refer to the NCFR University and College Curriculum Guidelines. These Guidelines represent the course content required to meet the CFLE criteria for each of the ten family life content areas. Any course that you use in substitution for an NCFR-approved course must include this same content. Please refer to the information listed under each content area for guidance as to what information needs to be included. While it is not required that every single component be address directly, the majority of the concepts must be included.

Substitutions must be approved by the National Council on Family Relations. You can request approval of a course prior to submitting your application by sending a request for substitution along with a syllabus for the substitution course. Otherwise, note on your checklist which courses are being used as substitutions and include a copy of the course syllabi. This can be done at the time of application.

Please note: You will need to show proof of successful completion of all substitution courses (on an official original transcript). If the course was taken at an institution other than the one you are graduating from, and it does not appear on your official transcript (showing final grade), you will need to provide a transcript from the other institution. Any course used as part of the CFLE Abbreviated Application Process must come from a regionally accredited institution.

Applying for Provisional Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process

Provisional Certification is intended for those who have demonstrated current knowledge in the ten FLE content areas, but who have not yet earned sufficient work experience hours in family life education to qualify for Full status.

Provisional Certification is valid for up to five years. Provisional CFLEs can pursue Full Certification as soon as they can document sufficient work experience hours in family life education. The number of hours needed depends upon the level and relevancy of the degree.

Applying for Full Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process

If you qualify to apply for Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process and you already have sufficient work experience to qualify for Full Certification, you can complete the Abbreviated Application and document your work experience at the same time by submitting the Work Experience Summary form - Combined and the Employer Assessment & Verification form.

Family Life Education Work Experience Table

Please visit Work Experience for Full Certification for more information on documenting work experience.