22 Principles of Floral Design American Institute of Floral Designers Possibly the best known certifi cation is offered by the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). The organization currently has two types of certifi cation: the (CFD) certifi ed fl oral designer status and the fully accredited (AIFD) member. AIFD is an international nonprofi t organization that supports the fl oriculture industry by establishing high professional standards and supporting those standards with education, certifi cation, and accredited membership. The AIFD has six regions throughout the United States, and supports student chapters in many colleges and universities. Scholarships are available through the AIFD Foundation for talented fl oral designers who cannot afford the required classes and fees. Unlike other fl oral associations, AIFD has strict membership requirements. All of its members are accredited—a status even higher than the CFD certifi cation. Only applicants with top scores in the required hands-on design demonstration are invited to become accredited AIFD members. There are two ways to become certifi ed: • Complete an approved fl oral design education program through an AIFD education partner, state fl oral association, or student chapter and receive an 80% or higher on the AIFD online test. • Participate in the Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE), including the online test and the hands-on design evaluation. The online test, which is based on the AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, and Traditions, is timed and consists of approximately 55 questions. The hands-on design evaluation consists of fi ve designs in categories specifi ed by the evaluators at the time of testing. Each design is given one to fi ve points. Students receiving a total score of 20, with no individual design scoring less than 3.75, become accredited AIFD members. For certifi cation, students must receive at least a total score of 16, with no individual design scoring less than 2.95. After becoming a certifi ed fl oral designer or an accredited member, fl orists must participate in continuing education to keep their certifi ed or accredited status. AIFD requires members to accumulate continuing education units (CEUs). CEUs can be earned by attending fl oral industry design programs and conferences and participating in fl oral industry organizations. Employment After studying fl oral design and possibly becoming certifi ed, the next step is to fi nd a job in the fl oriculture industry. By this time, you may have a good idea of the type of job you want. You can fi nd job openings by checking with local, state, and national associations, searching the Internet, or networking with classmates and friends, among other methods. You will probably want to use more than one method to fi nd several jobs that interest you. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.