Becoming a Certified Franchise Executive shows your commitment to franchising. As a CFE, you commit yourself to lifelong learning and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge of franchising. Among franchise leaders, the CFE designation has become widely known and recognized as a mark of distinction that offers a wide range of benefits. Individuals pursue the CFE for a variety of reasons, including professional development, career planning and professional pride, dedication to their career, a personal belief in the franchising industry, and self fulfillment.

The CFE programme is overseen by the ICFE Board of Governors, a board entirely separate from the IFA Educational Foundation Board of Governors.

Anyone who has achieved at least equivalent to recognized Diploma/GCE 'A' level with minimum 3 years working experience will be eligible. Those without the relevant educational qualifications but with relevant franchising related work experience may apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A minimum of 3,500 total credits is required to earn the Certified Franchise Executive™ (CFE) designation.

Areas in which credits may be earned, is divided among four areas: Education (min. 2000), Online Curriculum (500 max), Experience (500 max) and Participation (500 max).
All CFE candidates are also required to complete the ICFE Study Guide online exam as part of the requirements to receive their CFE.

Candidates progress through the programme on an individual basis depending upon their time to attend conferences/seminars, but in general most will complete the programme within 1.5 to 2.5 years.

A candidate has 3 years from the date of enrolment to complete the programme. Candidates will be notified when they are approaching the end of 3 years. If a candidate wishes to continue working towards certification, a re-enrolment fee of S$250 must be submitted.

CFE candidates are advised to keep in contact with the program coordinator on a regular basis to make certain their credits are up-to-date,. When a candidate completes a course, he/she should fax/email a copy of any certificate received at the end of the course to certify their attendance for update of records. Candidate may also view their credit updates via a login access.

Whether candidates attended courses in Singapore or U.S.A., so long the course is an ICFE-approved course, credit points will be acknowledged accordingly. Do remember to update FLA programme coordinator for update of records.

FLA (Singapore) charges a one-time enrolment fee of S$250 (FLA member) and S$400 (non-member) which must be submitted with the application. Course fees are additional and separate, established by individual course providers.

The CFE designation is presented annually at the IFA convention in USA. CFE Singapore graduates will be recognized in graduation ceremonies for CFE at the Franchising & Licensing Asia annual conference in Singapore.

Candidates must complete all requirements by 20th November, preceding the year in which they will receive their CFE designation.

Effective 1 Feb 2004, the ICFE Board implemented a requirement that all CFEs renew their certification every 3 years from the date they are certified. CFEs must accumulate a total of 1200 credits during each 3 year renewal period to maintain their recertification.