CFRE International has announced that the written examination for becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) will be available via computer-based testing beginning in 2006 for North American candidates.
 
            In an effort to bring increased availability of the exam to candidates, as well more immediate scoring, CFRE International will be partnering with Thompson-Prometric, a computer-based test delivery organisation, to make the exam available at over 300 testing centres in the US and Canada in 2006.
 
            Candidates will be able to take the exam several times throughout the year at any of Prometric’s proctored testing centres.  Candidates will answer the CFRE test questions on a computer and receive preliminary results on their success before leaving the testing centre.  A complete and detailed score report, with information about candidate performance in each of the areas covered on the exam, will follow in the mail.  The exam will not be available via the internet for candidates to test in their own homes or offices.
 
            Many testing dates in 2005, during which the paper-and-pencil exam is still in use, are available throughout the remainder of this year.  Beginning in 2006, only a computer-based exam will be available in North America.  The exam will still be taken via the paper-and-pencil method in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
 
            This moves the programme in the 21^st century and is a big step forward for the CFRE programme.  Candidates will now have multiple opportunities to test – including many in their own city or town.  This will eliminate the need and expense to travel for a number of candidates.  Most large certification programmes now test via computer-based delivery, easing candidate anxiety caused by having to wait several weeks for scores.  The wide network of testing centres Prometric offers will vastly increase the opportunities for candidates. 
 
            Further details of the computer-based testing process and its launch can be read in the FAQs about CBT.  CFRE International will release a new Candidate Handbook and application with complete details for 2006 exams in September 2005.