CFE: Elevating Franchise Excellence in Canada

1. Submit an application

Application forms can be found by CLICKING HERE. You can submit your completed application form to mmacdonald@cfa.ca

2. Receive notification of your acceptance

Applicants will typically receive an acknowledgment of their application within one day. In cases where additional information is needed, our team will reach out to candidates. Upon confirmation, successful candidates will be provided with the necessary details to access their CFE record online.

3. Begin acquiring credits

Candidates will have the flexibility to select from various credit-earning opportunities to fulfill the program’s requirements. Credits can be acquired through participation in accredited courses and attendance at other educational events.

4. Program completion

You must be a candidate in good standing successfully complete the CFE program and graduate. All program requirements must be fulfilled within a three-year period from your initial enrollment date: otherwise, you will be required to submit a re-enrollment application and fee in order to continue your progress and accrue credits.

Congratulations, you are a CFE!

Under the legacy system, a minimum of 3,500 credits is required to qualify for the Certified Franchise Executive™ (CFE) designation.  

Application forms can be found by CLICKING HERE. You can submit your completed application form to mmacdonald@cfa.ca

Participants in the CFE Program need 3,500 credits to receive the CFE designation. Credits for the CFE Program are broken out into two main categories: Education and Participation.

CFE Program credits can be earned in different ways.

3, 500 Education Credits

• Up to 500 Education credits are allocated based on your franchising work experience, granted upon application, and can be updated as you make progress. 
• Education credits can be earned through a diverse range of sources: 
  • • • Courses accessible via the CFA website and e-Learning offerings. 
      • Courses provided by the IFA Academy. 
      • Specialized franchising programs offered by accredited educational providers. 
      • Active participation in CFA live events, such as the CFA National Convention, Law Day, Marketing Day, Franchise Meets the Money, and more. 
      • Involvement in online webinars like Franchise Tutorials and Franchise Your Business. 
      • Completion of courses such as Profit Soup, Profit Mastery, Franklin Covey, and others. 

500 Participation Credits

Participation credits are earned through active involvement in the franchising community, which includes CFA membership, committee memberships, and committee meetings. These credits can also be obtained by attending CFA live events, both in-person and via on-demand webinars. 

Candidates are required to maintain a record of events approved for Education and Participation credits that they have attended within one year of their enrollment date. 

CFE credits will be granted to a CFE candidate for ICFE approved courses or seminars up to one year prior to the time that the CFE candidate enrolled in the CFE program. CFE applicants who request CFE credits for courses or seminars that were taken prior to the time the course was approved by the ICFE Board will not be approved. CFE credits will only be granted for courses or seminars taken if they were approved at the time the individual took the course or seminar. A CFE candidate may request CFE credit for courses or seminars by ICFE-approved Course Providers that are offered as part of a company training program by the Course Provider. In such cases, if the request is approved, the CFE candidate must pay an additional $200 fee for each course that is approved for CFE credits. Final approval and granting of the CFE designation is made by the Canadian Franchise Association following a review of each candidate’s application and course work. Candidates must complete all requirements by December 31 of the year preceding the year in which they expect to receive their CFE designation. Once a candidate completes all requirements he/she will be notified that they may commence using the CFE designation and will be included as a graduate of the following year’s convention, e.g. complete credits in 2021 – will be part of class of 2022. Official CFE pins and certificates will be presented at the CFA Annual Convention

Participants in the CFE Program have three years from the date of their enrollment to complete their designation. The time to complete the program will vary based on the individual’s schedule, however on average, most participants will complete the required 3,500 credits within two (2) years.

If you were pre-enrolled for the program, your three-year term officially started when the program launched in July 2021.

If you are already registered for the CFE Program through the IFA, you can continue working towards your designation and now receive credits for your participation in CFA events and educational opportunities as well.

In order to successfully progress through the CFE Program, all candidates are obliged to fulfill the following essential education requirements: 

1. Completion of the Online Final Exam: All CFE candidates are required to successfully complete the online Final Exam. This exam is administered by the International Franchise Association (IFA) to ensure international CFE standards are met. Candidates who are pursuing the CFE through the CFA have access to a Canadian version of the Final Exam tailored to their specific requirements. 

1. Participation in FRAN-GUARD™: FRAN-GUARD™ is a specialized program designed to emphasize the legal and business aspects integral to franchise sales, management, and compliance. It serves as a comprehensive foundation in Canadian franchise law. 

Both the Online Final Exam and FRAN-GUARD™ contribute significantly to a candidate’s education progress in the CFE Program. They each account for 300 CFE Education credits, out of the required total of 3000 CFE Education credits as stipulated under the legacy system. 

These components are mandatory prerequisites for successfully completing the CFE Program. Candidates can fulfill the remainder of their necessary education credits by participating in a combination of onsite and online programs. 

CFE credits will be granted to a CFE candidate for ICFE approved courses or seminars up to one year prior to the time that the CFE candidate enrolled in the CFE program. CFE applicants who request CFE credits for courses or seminars that were taken prior to the time the course was approved by the ICFE Board will not be approved. CFE credits will only be granted for courses or seminars taken if they were approved at the time the individual took the course or seminar.

A CFE candidate may request CFE credit for courses or seminars by ICFE-approved Course Providers that are offered as part of a company training program by the Course Provider. In such cases, if the request is approved, the CFE candidate must pay an additional $200 fee for each course that is approved for CFE credits. Final approval and granting of the CFE designation is made by the Canadian Franchise Association following a review of each candidate’s application and course work.

Candidates must complete all requirements by December 31 of the year preceding the year in which they expect to receive their CFE designation. Once a candidate completes all requirements he/she will be notified that they may commence using the CFE designation and will be included as a graduate of the following year’s convention, e.g. complete credits in 2021 – will be part of class of 2022. Official CFE pins and certificates will be presented at the CFA Annual Convention

The time required to obtain certification in the CFE Program will vary but is subject to certain guidelines: 

1. Program Duration: Participants in the CFE Program are given a timeframe of three years from the date of their enrollment to successfully complete their designation. 
2. Individual Variation: The duration for program completion may vary depending on an individual’s schedule and commitments. On average, however, most participants typically fulfill the requisite 3,500 credits within a span of two (2) years. 
3. Pre-Enrollment: For those who were pre-enrolled in the program, it’s essential to note that the official commencement of the three-year term began with the program’s launch in July 2021. 

If you are already registered for the CFE Program through the IFA, you can continue working towards your designation with the additional opportunity to enhance your educational experience by earning valuable credits by participating in CFA events and educational opportunities. 

This integration offers you a unique advantage as it enables you to gain valuable insights into the Canadian market, broadening your expertise and expanding your professional network. Your commitment to the CFE Program will not only lead to your designation but also provide you with a deeper understanding of the Canadian franchising landscape through the CFA’s educational initiatives. 

To enroll for the CFE Program, simply complete an enrollment form and submit to mmacdonald@cfa.ca. Once received, you will receive confirmation within two (2) business days.

Industry Recognition and Professional Standing: A symbol of leadership and accomplishment, the CFE designation is highly regarded and will raise your profile within the franchising community, by demonstrating your years of experience, commitment to growth, and a desire to continually meet challenges.

Peer Networking: The CFE Program combined with CFA events creates rich opportunities for you to network with industry professionals. Everyone wins when we share ideas and best practices.

Commitment to Franchising: The CFE designation will exemplify your commitment and passion for franchise management within the larger franchising community.

Personal Skills: The CFE program will educate you on the latest trends to stay competitive, build your personal brand and network, while honing the franchise management skills you need to succeed.

Participants in the CFE Program have three years from the date of their enrollment to complete their designation. The time to complete the program will vary based on the individual’s schedule, however on average, most participants will complete the required 3,500 credits within two (2) years.

If you were pre-enrolled for the program, your three-year term officially started when the program launched in July 2021.