In May, NCFR alerted Certified Family Life Educators (CFLEs) and faculty of CFLE-approved university programs in the state of Louisiana about House Bill 748. The proposed bill would have prohibited individuals from calling themselves certified in the state of Louisiana (e.g., Certified Family Life Educators) and would have weakened the value of the CFLE credential.

Furthermore, prohibiting the use of the term “certified” by qualified, vetted Family Life Education professionals removes an industry-recognized measure of competence as there would no longer be a signifier for who is best qualified to do work as a Family Life Educator.

Many individuals and organizations, including NCFR and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) — of which NCFR is a member — contacted Louisiana state legislators. As a result, the bill was amended in committee to eliminate all language related to the use of the term “certified.” The amended bill was signed into law by the governor on May 30, 2018.

This is a win for the CFLE credential and an example of NCFR working to fulfill its Global Ends, specifically to represent scholars and professionals in Family Science by establishing standards for research, education, and practice and by advocating for the development and advancement of the discipline.