ICFE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 3500 credits is required to qualify for the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation. Granting of the CFE designation to qualified candidates is determined by the ICFE Board of Governors. CFE candidates earn credits that are applied toward certification. These credits are earned in the following three areas:

EXPERIENCE(500 credits maximum)

This area allows credit for past experience gained through work or training experiences in the area of franchising. CFE candidates will earn 100 credits (to a maximum of 500) for each year of work experience in franchising. CFE candidates may earn a maximum of 500 credits for experience in career/work experiences as a franchisor, franchisee, or other franchising professional experience.

PARTICIPATION (500 credits maximum)

This area will provide practical experience gained from participation in events conducted by the International Franchise Association (IFA). CFE candidates must attend at least one IFA approved event each year. CFE candidates may earn a maximum of 500 credits:

• Membership in IFA or membership in other national franchise association recognized by the World Franchise Council (WFC) (100 credits per year)
• IFA Annual Convention (100 credits)
• IFA Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting (100 credits)
• IFA Franchise Business Network (50 credits per meeting)
• Women in Franchise Network (50 credits per meeting)
• International Franchise Expos (IFE) (50 credits per event)
• Other programs as designated
• IFA Webinars (e.g. WednesdayWise, etc.) (50 credits per event)
• IFA Legal Symposium (100 credits)

EDUCATION (2500 credits minimum)

Education credits are earned by taking ICFE approved courses or sessions that cover fundamental skills and knowledge considered essential for a franchise executive. These topics include:

• Fran-Guard™ (required - 300 hours)
• Diversity
• Economics, Accounting or Financing
• Franchisee Recruitment and Training
• Franchisor/Franchisee Relations
• Franchise Law Regulations
• Human Resource Management
• Management & Operations
• Marketing
• Social Media
• CFE Final Exam (required - 300 hours)

In addition candidates may earn credits in ICFE approved courses or sessions in special interest areas such as:

• Franchising Concepts
• Franchise Conventions
• Franchising Trends
• Insurance
• International Franchising
• Public Relations/Communications
• Real Estate and Site Selection
• Resource Management

All Candidates who enroll in the Certified Franchise Executives program must successfully complete the CFE Study Guide Exam and the IFA FRAN–GUARD courses (online) as part of their requirements to receive their CFE designation.