To ensure the integrity of all professionals in our field, renewal of certification is required once every two years, beginning one year after your certification has been issued.
If annual fees and CEU requirements are not met, and an extension request has not been submitted and approved, the credential will be revoked and re-certification will be required.
Reinstatement of AFC® Certification
An individual may request reinstatement of AFC certification after voluntary relinquishment, or failure to renew within 180 days of certification expiration, by submitting an extension request and paying a non-refundable $200 reinstatement fee. A reinstatement application may be obtained by request.
Upon receipt of the application and fee, AFCPE will review and inform applicant what steps are required to complete the reinstatement (reporting of required continuing education units, certification application and/or notice of appropriate fees).
Applicants for reinstatement must complete and submit all reinstatement requirements within 90 days of submitting the reinstatement application and receiving approval from AFCPE. Each reinstatement application is valid for 90 days.
Once all requirements have been met, an email confirmation will be sent to the individual. Individuals are not certified, and are prohibited from using the AFC mark, until the entire reinstatement process is complete.
Education Requirements for Reinstatement
- If applying for reinstatement within one year of the certification expiration date applicants must complete an extension request, report outstanding continuing education units, and pay any applicable late fees to AFCPE prior to reinstatement.
- If applying for reinstatement more than one year but less than three years after the certification expiration, applicants must complete an extension request, report outstanding continuing education units, and pay any applicable late fees to AFCPE prior to reinstatement. Alternatively, applicants can pay for and pass the current AFC examination in lieu of the continuing education requirement.
- If applying for reinstatement three to five years after the certification expiration, applicants must complete an extension request, and pay for and pass the current AFC examination as a condition of reinstatement in lieu of the continuing education requirement.
- If applying for reinstatement after five years, applicants must re-enroll into AFC certification program.
AFC® Certification Reinstatement Requirements
If… | Then… | Plus… | Plus… |
| Applying for Reinstatement < 180 days of certification expiration | Reinstatement Application and $200 Reinstatement Fee | Fees (includes certification fees/late fees and administrative fees) $10 late fee/month | Continuing Education must be up-to-date |
| Applying for Reinstatement 6 months – 3 Years | Reinstatement Application and $200 Reinstatement Fee | Certification fees for the current renewal period and any other outstanding fees
Current exam fee | Report CE hours due at the time of expiration and hours accrued during expiration. Hours reported must not be more than two years old at the time of reinstatement -OR- Pass the current AFC exam |
| Applying for Reinstatement 3-5 Years | Reinstatement Application and $200 Reinstatement Fee | Current exam fee | Pass the current AFC exam |
Comments are closed.