The lack of a hands-on component to the CPF exam is part of what led to the development of the MCPF. Now that is so hands-on it actually scares me.
By the way, somebody noted that it might be possible to "game" the system by taking a re-certification course right after passing the CPF, then jumping right into the MCPF exam. Maybe. Good luck with that.
I don't think there are many out there that could have both the knowledge for the CPF and the acquired skills from experience to pass the MCPF exam after a year. I think that 4-5 year mark is about right.
I have never once...... EVER in 14 years framing .... have a customer ask me if I'm a CPF...
... I'm still stuck on the fact that its NOT EVEN everyday framing thats being tested! I mean..... how many people are using cardboard backing still........ papermats....... reg glass and STILL THINKING its good for the life of the picture??
I think you have a lot of framing experience. So do I, but I continue to learn more about the methods and materials with which I earn my living.I guess my thing is....... what are the benifets?? ...... what do you get out of it that I already dont know..... assuming that you think I have no idea what I'm doing.
The cost certainly is not astronomical. I'm pretty sure most framers could recoup the total investment in a year or less, depending on how they use the new information they stuff into their heads.Besides paying an astronomical fee...
An awesome framer? Maybe not. A better framer? Absolutely. Ask anyone who has studied and passed the exams, and they will tell you they learned enough new information to make the investment of time and money worthwhile....and getting letters behind my name? Does that make me an awesome framer now that I can write CPF???
Wow, Cliff that is good news for some of those folks who have that level of experience. I know of at least one framer who will be delighted.
That news had not found its way to me.
However, it would take somebody pretty special to manage to do it without the years of experience.
Can I suggest that it might be best if the books were studied really well, rather than just reading them? Maybe you guys absorb stuff better than I do and reading might be enough for you?So then you read the books and
Can I suggest that it might be best if the books were studied really well, rather than just reading them? Maybe you guys absorb stuff better than I do and reading might be enough for you?
The CPF and MCPF programs represent the most comprehensive, professionally developed, peer-reviewed, up-to date, self-directed educational opportunities in the framing industry. For framers who want to learn more about framing and establish a pattern of continuing education, there is no better course of study in the world.
Actually, it's quite a bit more than that. Many shops have multiple CPFs, but only get listed once.
Some non-member shops have CPFs, but don't get listed in the list you have.
I don't have the exact number, but I'd guess that isn't even half.
If you ask me, a master picture framer should be able to make a frame if you give him blocks of wood. Show him a work of art, let him go select the wood and get crackin. The proper style for the time period and work of art and why. The whole 9 yards.Perhaps, being the newbie on the Certification Board I shouldn't say anything (not that such things have ever stopped me before...) , I have been mulling over in my mind a sort of auxiliary designation to the MCPF showing specialized knowledge just like this. I know GCF has this, because one of my colleagues has an advanced certification in needlework. So you may be onto something there.
But I haven't gone through the experience.
If my opinion changes I'll post asap.I will guarantee you will KNOW you have earned your MCPF when you pass... When I was an examiner, I was on teams that failed 2 of the first 3 candidates I examined. The work just wasn't up to the written standard. The candidate gets score sheets which plainly delineate expectations, and yet there were failures. It ain't a walk in the park.
And the radio commercial I told you about earlier in the thread garners comment wherever I go. (OK, it's a small town, but still...) Two people mentioned my MCPF status at Quilt Guild last night, and someone else wanted to know when I was going to be in the shop because she has some stuff to bring in...
Sorry Johnny... your on your own babe... good luck.
I apologize... I happen to be pretty vocal at just about everything. I know there are MANY FRAMERS that are NOT CPF's...... which they have their reasons too. It seriously seems like some kind of Frat to join.... and I cant help but rebel against rules and a test that tells me I'm a framer.
Thanks everyone for all your explinations..... but this is just not for me!
If that paints me in a BAD LIGHT than so be it.... EVIL is more my speed anyway!
...But since Dave posted that list I see that two of the 3 people aren't even listed there as CPFs so who knows what's going on in my neck of the woods. I guess that's not a definitive list though.
Which three people are you talking about? Are you saying that someone is falsely claiming to be a CPF? Or they are and they just aren't listed?
or maybe they used to be CPF's but let it lapse?
If my membership gets approved I'll ask em at the Ohio meeting!
I've heard the entire spectrum from people who have taken the test, ranging from "You don't need to study" privately all the way to "It was the hardest test I've ever taken."
If my membership gets approved I'll ask em at the Ohio meeting!
You recently described your unfortunate, decades-old memory of how others embarrassed you at a PPFA meeting. Knowing how it feels, are you saying you want to do the same to others? Whether they deserve it or not, is it wise to set them up to receive the same sort of sympathy you did?
If you really want to get the matters resolved, please ask PPFA to investigate the framers in question and take whatever action is necessary to fix the discrepancies. If the framers are legitimate CPFs, their names would be rightfully added to the roster. Or, if they are 'fibbing' (good word for it) or if their designations have expired, PPFA could take action to stop them from claiming the credentials falsely.
Johnny, I really can't wait to see your take on the exams. I know you will be honest about your experiences. I haven't tried the MCPF yet, but I really was floored by the level of difficulty of that "multiple choice" CPF test.
I studied for it. I really did. For the better part of a year. If I was going to do it, I was really going to understand it. I did about a book a month. I expected the test to just be a formality. I was really surprised. It took a lot of thought to answer those questions. And I wasn't sure I had answered enough of them correctly when I left the room.
I went home and looked up as many things as I could remember that I had questions about.
With a 60% pass rate, that should give anyone pause. I know in some ways there is no comparison because of the level of education, but people pass the bar exam at a higher rate.
I know some really good framers with many years of experience that did not pass it the first time.
Could also mean they have low comprehension skills as in they did not full understand the questions or miss read the question.
Not that they did not actually know the answer.
Johnny Maybe It would be a good idea to have an oHIo meeting that we can schedule a CPF test. I will bring this up to the rest of the oHIo board members.
I don't know, but some of the books were probably published by Columba (Vivian K's defunct company), and may be out of print. If that is an issue, then it may be some time before the Certification Board and the Education Committee can qualify new texts that are available. In the meantime, I guess most chapters would have books available fromthe established Study Guide list.
Three of the books on the list were either written or published by Vivian Kistler, and I imagine that's why they're not currently available.
I am missing CCI Notes and Caring for Your Art. I borrowed the latter, but want to get it for my library.
If any one has a either they want to sell (or you find it in stock), please let me know!
Finished reading Preserving Textiles this morning. Think I'm down to 5 books left to read!
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