"Becoming a Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF) is a rewarding achievement - CPFs receive professional recognition that provides a competitive edge."
CPF Overview
In response to the needs of IAF members and their clients, IAF established the Professional Facilitator Certification Program. The Professional Facilitator Certification Program provides successful candidates with the professional credential IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF), as signified by a Certificate. This credential is the leading indicator that the Facilitator has demonstrated each of the IAF Core Facilitator Competencies.
The IAF Core Facilitator Competencies
Hiring a CPF ensures that the Facilitator has demonstrated the IAF Core Facilitator Competencies.
- Create Collaborative Client Relationships – The Facilitator prepares properly to meet client needs.
- Plan Appropriate Group Processes – The Facilitator designs and selects the right processes and tools that deliver the desired outcome while supporting a diverse group of people, characteristics, and thinking styles to reach consensus.
- Create and Sustain a Participatory Environment – The Facilitator is able to manage communication, creativity, conflict, and encourage participation.
- Guide Group to Appropriate and Useful Outcomes – The Facilitator is able to execute the designed processes, guide the group, stay on track, and achieve the desired outcome.
- Build and Maintain Professional Knowledge – The Facilitator continues to be part of the profession and continues to learn new concepts and ideas.
- Model Positive Professional Attitude – The Facilitator is able to remain neutral, act with integrity, and be self-aware.
What Does this Mean to the Client?
We encourage all clients to hire only IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitators to ensure useful solutions, fewer mistakes and changes down the road and more complete consensus based information. You can be assured that the IAF CPF:
- Has properly prepared by:
- Interviewing the client.
- Identifying client needs.
- Structuring a process to meet those needs.
- Identifying the tools and processes needed to make the workshop a success.
- Knows what is required to guide the Participants through the workshop by:
- Knowing which tools and processes to use and when.
- Having a variety of tools to use.
- Staying content neutral.
- Believing in the possibilities of the Participants.
Recommendations
Gary Rush, IAF CPF, strongly recommends that anyone using Facilitation skills join the IAF and support the continued growth of Facilitation, and we strongly encourage all Facilitators to ensure that they become certified, and continue learning. See Facilitator Certification... by Gary Rush, IAF CPF
For additional information on how to become an IAF CPF, see Certified™ Professional Facilitator | The Process.
"Our flagship FoCuSeD™ Facilitator Academy, is now endorsed by the IAF as an IAF Endorsed™ Training Programme."
IAF Professional Pathway
The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) has expanded their certification program to recognize levels of achievement.
- IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator (CPF)
- IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator | Master (CPF | M)
- IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator | Emeritus (CPF | E)
IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator | Master - Be recognized for shaping the field of facilitation.
- Are you an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator?
- Have you been working as a facilitator for over a decade?
- Are you looking to deepen and refine your practice?
- Have you contributed to the development or promotion of the profession?
IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator | Master (CPF | M) status is given to members who have already completed the CPF, recertified twice and passed the CPFM certification. This mastery level of certification includes: four peer-reviews and recognition by the IAF for their contribution to the field. See the IAF Website for additional information.