Become an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

Become an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

The IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF) assessment process was developed more than 20 years ago. To earn the distinction of CPF, an applicant must have sufficient experience and skills as a process facilitator to demonstrate each of the 6 IAF Core Competencies. The assessment process has two stages: The first stage is based on the submission of an application form online and is reviewed in an ‘asynchronous’ way The second stage involves two candidate interviews and the observation of the candidate’s preparation and facilitation of a workshop, which is conducted in a face-to-face (F2F) ‘synchronous’ mode. The CPF online assessment The CPF online assessment offers the opportunity for a candidate to participate in a full online assessment. The CPF model now includes a Stage 2 online synchronous assessment in which the two candidate interviews and the observation of the candidate preparation and facilitation of a workshop are conducted fully online. While offering members the opportunity to engage in a fully online assessment process, the IAF will continue to offer the possibility of F2F assessments several times per year in conjunction with IAF conferences and events organized worldwide. The online assessment will be an attractive option for persons or countries where travel and accommodation costs preclude taking part in a F2F assessment. The F2F assessments will remain an attractive option for those persons who wish to combine their assessment with attending or presenting at a conference and making the most of the networking and professional development opportunities these exciting events offer. Becoming a CPF The intent behind the IAF’s assessment process is to give 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 F2F setting or using an online space. Preparation for the CPF assessment If you are interested in undertaking the CPF assessment, you should review your facilitation knowledge, experience and skills relative to the IAF Core Competencies. If in doing so, you identify gaps in your experience, prepare a plan to address them. You may wish to consult the IAF Regional Director for your area who can inform you about any available training opportunities 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. The CPF Stage 1 assessment (application and documentation) The CPF assessment process is divided into 2 stages. Stage 1 is the documentation and submission of your facilitation experience, which is then reviewed by assessors for evidence of a variety of experiences (group size, processes, duration of engagement, in-person and online facilitation) and skills across the IAF Core Competencies. When you are ready to undertake Stage 1 of the assessment process, you should: Check the calendar of upcoming CPF Assessments. The deadlines to submit the required application and related materials are dependent on the assessment date. Contact the CPF Programme Administrator to request the CPF Information and Application package. Complete your application and return it to the CPF Programme Administrator with the application fee*. You will be provided with further information about the documentation required during Stage 1 of the assessment. Each applicant’s documentation is carefully evaluated by a team of two assessors who are assigned to the applicant. The assessors use the IAF Core Competencies to evaluate evidence that the applicant understands the foundations of facilitation and applies the competencies actively in their work. Successful applicants from the Stage 1 assessment are invited to a Stage 2 Assessment Event for further demonstration of their facilitation competencies. Read More...

The CPF Stage 2 Assessment (interviews and workshop facilitation)

A stage 2 CPF candidate may choose to do their Stage 2 Assessment either online or at a face-to-face event.

CPF Stage 2 online

Prior to the online Stage 2 CPF Assessment event, assessors are assigned and candidates will receive detailed instructions on how best to prepare. These instructions cover both the technical and the process aspects of the assessment. One of the assessors assigned to a candidate will be designated as the candidate’s ‘client’ for the purposes of planning for the Assessment workshop.

During the Stage 2 Assessment, you can expect to:

Be interviewed online by your assigned assessors to further explore evidence of the IAF Core Competencies.
Facilitate a workshop online, the focus of which has been agreed in advance with the ‘client’ assessor.
Act as a participant for other candidates’ workshops online.

The final evaluation and results are provided to the candidate in the form of a written report within two weeks after the Stage 2 Assessment. The results for a candidate are given as either a “pass” or “defer”.

CPF Stage 2 Face to Face

Stage 2 F2F assessment will be conducted at the Assessment Day.

Assessments take place in several locations throughout the year. We advise submitting your application materials early so that you are prepared when a certification event is scheduled near you.

Prior to the CPF Assessment, candidates will receive detailed instructions on how best to prepare for the event. One of the assessors assigned to a candidate will be designated as the candidate’s ‘client’ for the purposes of planning for the Assessment Day workshop.

During the Assessment Day, you can expect to:

Be interviewed by your assigned assessors to further explore evidence of the IAF Core Competencies.
Facilitate a demonstration workshop, the focus of which has been agreed in advance with the ‘client’ assessor.
Act as a participant for each of the other candidates’ workshops.

For additional information on the CPF Assessment process, please contact the CPF Programme Administrator.

"The CPF assessment event provided me with a rare opportunity for rigorous feedback on my facilitation practice… While the assessors were tough (i.e. neutral and independent), the ‘feel’ of the event was very supportive. I recommend the process to other colleagues who would like to benchmark their practice.” (Ian C, CPF, Sydney, Australia)

Become an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

Become an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

The CPF Stage 2 Assessment (interviews and workshop facilitation)

Add Country

Add State

Add City