Family and Community Services

The Family and Community Services credential emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary for success in early career lattice positions and promote continuing education at the post-secondary level preparing for careers associated with child, youth, and family services; community services; personal and home care services; elder care services; social services; volunteer services; and religious ministries and services.

The Family and Community Services 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. 

  • Careers and Volunteer Opportunities
  • Factors Related to Family and Community Services
  • Professional and Ethical Behaviors
  • Conditions Affecting Individuals and Families
  • Services for Individuals and Families

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.

Sarah Shirley, U.S. Air National Guard Chief of Chaplains Office, Alexandria, VA Mary Bold, National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN Kirsten Bays, Family Choices Adoption Services, Charleston, IL
Barbara Fiese, Family Resiliency Center, Urbana, IL Tammy Gray, Arkansas Children's Trust Fund, Little Rock, AR Lynda McGehee, Area Agency on Aging, Monroe, LA
Kelly Niles-Yocum, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Worcester, MA Andy Stoker, Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, United Methodist Church, Plano, TX Tammy Henderson, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Pamela Schulze, University of Akron, Akron, OH Geralyn Dries, Smyrna High School, Smyrna, DE Kendra Naef Scherg, Kimberly High School, Kimberly, WI

Email Pre-PAC

Direct Telephone Line: 703-636-7641