Eligibility requirements:

• An AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) “In Good Standing” (all renewal fees paid, CEUs up-to-date, and signed AFCPE Code of Ethics). 
• Graduated (e.g. completed the AFC certification requirements) at least 2 years prior to applying to become an AFC Independent Trainer.

Note: AFCPE Certification Staff, consultants, Subject Matter Experts (SME), and anyone with access to exam content can not participate in the development or delivery of any course or instructional process intended to prepare individuals for the AFC exam for a period of 4 years after participating in examination development activities.

What makes a successful AFC Independent Trainer?

• You are a qualified expert with a great deal of field experience:
  • Most AFC Independent Trainers have at least 5 years of practical experience
    providing financial education instruction. We recommend no fewer than 2
    years of experience before applying to become an AFC Independent
    Trainer.
• You have hands-on, day-to-day experience in your area of expertise.
  • Most AFC Independent Trainers have at least 5 years of practitioner
    experience providing direct financial counseling services to individuals
    and/or groups, which is invaluable when training others to be effective
    financial counselors. 
• You possess excellent communication skills.
  • You have the unique ability to convey complex topics to adult learners with
    different learning styles, varying levels of knowledge/experience, and
    who are working in an array of disciplines within the field.

• Sign and adhere to Confidentiality Policy on an annual basis.
• Sign and adhere to Conflict of Interest Policy on an annual basis.
• Respond in a timely manner (no more than 2-3 business days) to requests from groups for training services.
• Provide signed Certificates of Completion to trainees who participate in your trainings, acknowledging that they were exposed to the AFC Core Competencies.
• AFC Independent Trainers will be subject to an initial application fee ($199) and an annual renewal application fee ($199). 

Independent Trainers receive:

• The “AFC Independent Training Handbook”
• Invitation to attend an AFC Webinar Review course.
• Access to the “AFC Online Study Guide,” which is regularly updated and refreshed by the AFCPE Education Department.
• Referrals from AFCPE as requests for custom training are received.
• Connection to an AFC Independent Trainer discussion forum for sharing best practices, successful training models, etc.

*The AFCPE Certification Council does not require, provide, accredit, or endorse any specific study guides, training or review courses, or other examination preparation products. The Council, certification staff, certification committee members, and certification subject matter experts (SMEs) do not have involvement in the creation, accreditation, approval, endorsement or delivery of examination review courses, preparatory materials, educational programs, or training programs/products that prepare candidates for the AFC exam.

**The AFCPE Education Department does not have access to any confidential, non-public AFC exam information.