FAQs

CFRE stands for Certified Fund Raising Executive.

The CFRE certification process is independent of membership in any organization. You do not need to be a member of any organization to apply to for CFRE certification. Also, achieving CFRE status does not ‘automatically’ make you a member of any organization. Individuals who hold current memberships in Participating Organizations receive a 20% discount. Individuals must indicate their membership in a Participating Organization when they apply to receive the discount.

See current fees for initial certification and recertification.

The initial CFRE certification process consists of three parts: a written application, a written examination, and agreement to uphold a code of ethics and Accountability Standards. There is a requirement to recertify every three (3) years. Recertification consists of a written application.

Candidates must submit a completed application by the application deadline. Once submitted, applications will then be reviewed for eligibility. If there are any questions or concerns about your application, you will be contacted. If your application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter so you can schedule your examination date and time.

The application works on a point system. You must reach a minimum number of points for each of three sections: education, professional practice and professional performance. Applications must report the minimum number of points in order to be considered.

You can easily keep track of all your activities by creating a free account at My CFRE. You will need some basic information about educational programs you have attended. Suggestions for reconstructing your professional continuing education include reviewing your planners or appointment calendar and payment information. Check with the organization who hosted the activity to see if they maintain records. CFRE International does not maintain conference attendance records.

Yes. Many consultants view themselves as temporary or on-loan staff for their clients and feel comfortable reporting funds raised. However, many others don’t. Those consultants primarily use management or communications activities to earn points. Board training, strategic planning, feasibility studies, and development of case statements are just as important to the work of a fundraising department as raising money.

Currently, CFRE International requirements state that you must be a paid professional member of a fundraising staff or a paid consultant to not-for-profit organizations.

The written exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions. The examination items test your knowledge in six areas: current and prospective donor research, securing the gift, relationship building, volunteer involvement, leadership and management, and ethics and accountability.

The CFRE exam is a generalist exam designed to test the knowledge and skills you use on the job on a daily basis. It is designed to test mastery of knowledge of best practices and how to apply them. It is not an ‘information recall’ test, which is the type of test we are used to from school. Because the exam is testing ‘practice,’ there is not a single study source.

The CFRE Test Content Outline and Resource Reading List are posted on our website. It is not expected that candidates read all the texts on the list, nor is it an exhaustive list.

The CFRE examination is designed to test the baseline fundamental knowledge a candidate would have after five years. The exam covers a broad range of topics and does not expect expertise in any specific area. As long as you have a good understanding of the basic principles of various types of fundraising, you will not be ‘penalized’ for not having a lot of experience with a particular type of campaign or development function.

International standards for certification programs prohibit CFRE International from preparing candidates for the exam. As a result, CFRE International does not sponsor or endorse any educational programs designed to prepare candidates for the CFRE exam. CFRE International is not involved, in any way, in the development of any of these courses.

The most common cause of this is your email server blocking TestRun’s email. If this occurs, check your Clutter or Junk folder. If you still have not received anything, please contact the TestRun support team.

Yes! Simply navigate to the Practice Exam, then click Register. Follow the appropriate instructions to purchase your desired subscription.

It was created by CFRE International in conjunction with our partner, TestRun. The CFRE Practice Exam features questions that will help you identify your strengths as well as areas where you may want to devote additional study time.

No. While the CFRE Practice Exam is meant to help you prepare for the exam, use of this product does not guarantee enhanced performance on the exam or a passing exam score. Simply memorizing answers will not enhance performance on the exam. It is far more important to understand the best practices in ethical fundraising that underlie the questions and answers.

No. The Practice Exam questions will help you prepare and identify areas of additional study. Do not memorize the questions and answers on the practice exam, as they will not appear on the actual exam.

You will receive your score immediately upon completing the exam.

The overall pass rate is approximately 70 – 80%.

CFRE International works with its professional testing agency to set a passing score. This score remains the same regardless of how many people test, who those people are, or how well they do on the exam. The exam is not graded on a curve. There is not a predetermined number of people who can pass.

For security reasons, CFRE International does not permit access to or release answer sheets, test booklets, or previously used exams.

Once your application is submitted, it is valid for a twelve-month period. Candidates who do not pass the exam are eligible for two (2) re-exam attempts per application. There is a fee to retake the exam, and you must wait thirty (30) days before taking the exam again. At the end of 12 months, you must submit a new application and pay the full application fee.

No. All individuals awarded the CFRE must meet the qualifications set forth in the written application AND receive a passing score on the written examination.

No. Recertification does not require an exam.

Every three years from your certification or last recertification date.

The date appears on your dashboard and certificate on your My CFRE Account.

Special Circumstances Status may be available for qualifying situations. See policy details.

If you're short on education points, you can recertify by passing the CFRE Exam again.