The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), established in 1965, is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career. [1] Its members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities< through a network of six (6) regional chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
The American Institute of Floral Designers offers two designations to candidates who have demonstrated advanced professional ability of floral artistry: AIFD (Accredited in Floral Design) and CFD (Certified Floral Designer). [2]
To receive either of these designations a candidate must first complete an online test based on the AIFD® Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, and Traditions (3rd edition). Candidates must receive a mark of 80% or better in order to be eligible to participate in the second phase, the PFDE® hands-on design session. [3]
In the second phase the candidate must demonstrate their design artistry by creating five (5) arrangements in specific categories which are announced during the Accreditation Evaluation testing. This testing takes place during a four hour window at the annual AIFD Symposium.
Each of the five designs are evaluated by seven members of the AIFD National Membership Committee for the following attributes, as defined in The AIFD Guide to Floral Design : Terms, Techniques, and Traditions [4] :
To maintain membership, accredited designers are required to document continuing education in the field.
