search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Long-time Industry Dream Comes True: WFCA to Certify Retailers

By Howard Olansky
July 5, 2001
Wow! What a magnificent move on the part of the WFCA. So many, for so long, have talked about establishing enhanced training and a certification program for floor covering retailers. Until recently, it has been just talk. Now, it is about to become a reality with the WFCA implementing a far-reaching and comprehensive certification and designation program for retailers.

Three distinct certification levels are available. These are: Certified Flooring Executive (CFE), designed for business owners and managers; Certified Flooring Professional (CFP), for administrative and operations people; and Certified Flooring Salesperson (CFS) for salespeople.

Retailers who wish to participate in the program, which is open to both members and non-members of the WFCA, will need to put forth no small measure of dedication and hard work to secure the coveted designation and earn the right to use it in the trade and with the public. Will it be worth it? You better believe it.

Certification tells the world that those who earn the designation are tried-and-true, knowledgeable floor covering professionals. These are the people who represent the upper echelon of the industry. What an outstanding goal for all in retail to shoot for. It is a career-building credential. And those who achieve it establish a competitive advantage that benefits them, their stores and the entire industry through higher performance standards.

Requirements for certification. The goal is not easily reached — nor should it be. To earn the designations, candidates must have a minimum of three years’ professional experience in the floor covering business, successfully complete at least 50 hours of documented continuing education for the CFE title, and 30 hours for CFP and CFS. Also required is attendance at a WFCA Regional Forum or Annual Educational Conference, submission of the Certification Application Package and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Courses online. In July, WFCA opens its online campus with courses that can apply to the program. The courses can be taken any time, at the user’s own pace. They will be accessible through the Association’s website at www.wfca.org. For information on additional courses, contact WFCA Director of Education Harry Perdew at (800) 624-6880.

The certification program kicks off Oct. 26-27 during the WFCA Annual Education Conference in Reno, Nev. with a curriculum specifically geared for owners and managers. This represents a one-time opportunity for individuals with significant industry experience to earn their applicable designation by attending the conference and taking the exam. Those seeking to earn the designation during this meeting must complete a personal profile, which will be given extra significance, with documented previous business and educational experience.

WFCA Education Committee Chairman Tom Jennings beautifully sums it up this way: “Professional certification programs are a way of assuring the highest possible levels of training, competency and performance. It is a way of acknowledging individuals who have demonstrated high professional standards throughout their careers, and demonstrates the entire industry’s commitment to professional excellence.

The president of WFCA, Victoria Green, reminds all of us that, “the floor covering industry faces a challenging future marked by rapid change, increased technological complexity and aggressive worldwide competition. These challenges demand increased training and greater professional competence at all levels, and the WFCA Certification Program is part of the solution.” Well said!

Retailers have a golden opportunity to ensure both their present and future. This program separates the professionals from the also-rans. To ignore this opportunity is to commit an inexcusable business sin.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Senior Editor

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Flooring Installation Products
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

Installation Awards - Vote Now!

Events

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • A Dream Comes True: United Effort Launched to Solve Concrete and Moisture Problems

    See More
  • Industry Perspectives: Santa, It's High Time for You to Give All of Us a Break Instead of Turning a Deaf Ear to Our Annual Wish List

    See More
  • Industry Perspectives: Surfaces 2005 Highlights Included Some Long Overdue Butt Kicking of Industry Sacred Cows and Myths

    See More
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing