Broad Field Family & Consumer Sciences

The Broad Field FCS credential is a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills in the Family and Consumer Sciences content areas and are central to career areas involving human service; consumer services, protection, and advising; education and training; and social and community services.

The Broad Field FCS credential is appropriate for programs in secondary and post-secondary education, youth-based leadership development, community-based education, and employer-based staff development. Eligible candidates for the pre-professional credentials have not attained a bachelor’s degree. Individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher are eligible for the AAFCS professional certifications. 

  • Interpersonal Relationship
  • Life Span and Human Development
  • Family Well-being
  • Career Connections
  • Family and Consumer Resource
  • Nutrition and Wellness

Assessment Blueprint

Assessment Bulletin

Includes detailed information on assessment design, scoring, content, sample test items, and resources

Alignment Matrices

21st Century Student Outcomes

 Career Ready Practices

Employability Framework

Administration Format:  Online

Paper & Pencil Available: No

Number of Test Items:  70 scored items and 10 non-scored (for research purposes)

Time Allowed (minutes):   Untimed; Average time is 45-65 minutes

Can the instructor/teacher take this test?  No*

* AAFCS Pre-PAC policy does not allow teachers to sit for the exam and earn the credential.  If there is a state or district mandate/policy in place requiring the assessment/certification for teachers, then a written waiver of the requirement would need to be received and approved by AAFCS.  For states/districts who have an approved waiver, AAFCS sets limitations on the actual test administration.

Click here for the list of current certification scores The national cut score for pre-professional certification eligibility is established annually by AAFCS. Scores can be used to demonstrate competency, identify gaps in performance, enhance programs and curricula, and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders. Through articulation agreements, scores may be used as the basis for advanced placement and/or credit-by-exam at post-secondary institutions. When the assessment is submitted, the results are immediately available to the test candidate. The results provide an overall percentage score, a breakdown of scores corresponding to domains, and indicate if the pre-professional credential was achieved.


AAFCS credentials are based on industry standards. The Development Panel was comprised of industry professionals and educators. The following stakeholders participated on the development panel for the credentialing assessment.

Susie Brown, Child Care, Inc., New York, NY Marcia Copeland (Retired), General Mills, Plymouth, MN Juanita Mendenhall, Teen Health Promotion Coalition, Ridgeway, SC
Jan Strand (Retired), Human Services Nonprofits, Santa Fe, NM Kay Wilder, San Diego Rescue Mission, San Diego, CA Luann Alemao, Columnist and Communications Specialist, Cedar Falls, IA
Tina Morrow, Community Action Services, San Marcos, TX Toni Crouch, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Alexandria, VA Sandy Markwood, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Washington, DC
Don Bower, Extension Human Development Specialist, University of Georgia, Athens, GA Carol Kellett, Former Dean and Teacher Educator, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS Karen Tanner Oliphant, Abraham Clark High School, Roselle, NJ
Melissa Dittman, Butler Tech, Hamilton, OH    

Email Pre-PAC

Direct Telephone Line: 703-636-7641