The certified family life educator (CFLE) credential formally recognizes an individual’s expertise in family dynamics and the 10 core content areas of family life education. To pursue certification, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in family studies or a related subject and demonstrate relevant work experience.  

What Is a Certified Family Life Educator? 

Before learning about the credential, it’s helpful to understand what family life education is and what it focuses on. Family life education emphasizes prevention by equipping family members with the knowledge and practical skills they need to strengthen their relationships, manage their challenges and develop healthy lifestyles.  

While anyone can call themselves a family life educator, only those approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) may use the certified family life educator title. This nationally recognized designation in the U.S. and Canada validates an individual’s expertise in family life education, signifies their commitment to continuing education and enhances their professional credibility.  

The primary responsibilities of CFLEs include teaching skills to and sharing resources with families that promote healthy family functioning. Their work emphasizes education and guidance rather than clinical treatment. CFLEs provide guidance to families on issues such as substance abuse, sexuality, debt, work-life balance, unemployment, domestic violence and parenting.  

Their day-to-day responsibilities vary by work setting, but the following are common duties for CFLEs: 

• Provide families and individuals with practical tools and resources related to healthy communication, relationships, child development and other issues  

• Collaborate with social service agencies, schools and organizations on ways to support families 

• Host workshops, classes and support groups for specific family needs 

• Develop and present family education programs to schools and organizations 

These professionals work in several types of settings that include schools, government agencies, faith-based organizations, research institutions and corrections systems.  

Steps to Becoming a Certified Family Life Educator 

Starting a career as a certified family life educator often begins with earning a degree. Practical experience can be gained through volunteer work or paid work in the community, teaching or counseling.  

1. Enroll in a Relevant Degree Program 

The NCFR requires certification applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Common majors are family studies, human development, social work, family science or child development. Programs with concentrations allow students to build deeper expertise in a specialized area.  

Students pursuing certification can hold a bachelor’s in any field. However, if their bachelor’s program isn’t approved for the CFLE designation, applicants must pass the NCFR exam to demonstrate their competency. 

2. Complete Core Content Coursework 

CFLE-approved programs are provided with a list of NCFR-approved coursework topics, enabling students to prepare for certification. According to the NCFR, these 10 areas of core knowledge are: 

• Families and individuals in societal contexts 

• Internal dynamics of families 

• Human growth and development across the lifespan 

• Human sexuality 

• Interpersonal relationships 

• Family resource management 

• Parent education and guidance 

• Family law and public policy 

• Professional ethics and practice 

• Family life education methodology 

3. Gain Experience 

Work experience is mandatory to become certified. Many degree programs offer ways for students to apply their classroom knowledge in the real world through a practicum and/or a family service internship. Others gain experience through independent employment while in school.  

The types of duties performed during internships or professional roles include program development, program evaluation or administration, FLE-related marketing activities, needs assessments, community presentations and group facilitation. 

4. Apply for Certification 

After earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining experience, the next step is to apply for certification. The primary goal for most candidates is full certification, which requires both proof of competency in the 10 NCFR content areas, through passing an exam or completing an approved program, and completion of at least 3,200 hours of family life education work experience. Applicants must submit documentation, such as transcripts, employer verification forms and records of work experience.  

Candidates have up to two years after graduation to apply for certification.  

The NCFR also offers provisional certification for candidates who haven’t yet completed the required work hours but have demonstrated knowledge in each of the 10 content areas. Provisional status is valid for up to five years, during which time candidates are expected to complete the required hours to upgrade to full certification.  

To maintain their status, certified family life educators must pay an annual fee set by NCFR, which is currently around $100.  

5. Complete Continuing Education  

Continuing education is required for CFLEs with full certification status. To renew their certification, CFLEs must complete 100 hours of continuing education every five years. Options for earning continuing education credits include completing academic courses, attending conferences or seminars, or gaining documented work experiences beyond those listed in the original certification application.  

Provisional CFLEs aren’t required to pursue continuing education until they’ve upgraded to full certification status.  

Salary and Job Outlook 

Family life education is a broad term that encompasses many social service, public health, education and child development roles. As of 2024, the median annual salary for social and community service managers, an occupational category that includes many CFLE roles, was $78,240, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that employment in this category will grow 6 percent between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average job growth projected for all occupations. 

Take the Next Step Toward a Career as a CFLE 

A career as a certified family life educator enables professionals to make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families while building specialized expertise in human development.  

SEMO Online’s Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies degree program with a Family Studies concentration is accredited by the National Council on Family Relations. Students can also choose a concentration in Child Development. Core degree coursework explores parent-child interactions, professional ethics, culture and ethnicity, trauma, and family resource management. Hands-on learning is part of both concentration options, with opportunities for internships and placements in agencies that serve families, seniors, young adults and children.  

Learn more about how SEMO Online can prepare you for a career in family life education.  

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Sources: 
Indeed, “25 Child Development Careers (With Salary and Primary Duties)” 
National Council on Family Relations, Benefits of Being a Certified Family Life Educator 
National Council on Family Relations, CFLE Frequently Asked Questions 
National Council on Family Relations, Exploring Careers in Family Science 
National Council on Family Relations, What Is Family Life Education? 
National Council on Family Relations, Where Are Family Life Educators Employed? 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Community and Social Service Occupations 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers 
ZipRecruiter, What Is a Family Life Educator and How to Become One