Housing and Furnishings

The Housing and Furnishings credential emphasizes competencies and a skill set necessary for success as a pre-professional in a career in the residential housing and furnishings industry. It will facilitate employment in early career lattice positions and promote continuing education at the post-secondary level in career areas involving public and private sector housing programs, residential property and facility management, real estate, retail home furnishings, or home decorating and staging.

The Housing and Furnishings 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 in Housing and Furnishings
  • Housing and Furnishings Processes
  • Residential Housing, Furnishings, and Design Concepts
  • Marketing and Professional Communications
  • Professional Practice

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.

Joseph L. Wysocki, National Institute for Food and Agriculture (Retired), Amissville, VA Mary Wynn Ryan, Home Furnishings Retailer, National Home Furnishings Association, High Pointe, NC Amy W. Garrard, Franklin Furniture Institute, Mississippi State, MS
Amber W. Stewart, Energy Star for New Homes, ICF International, Vienna, VA Rachel M. Riley, Office of Healthy Homes, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Washington, DC C. Deanna Lewis, Home Builders Institute, Washington, DC
Debbie Phillips, Georgia Apartment Industry Education Foundation, Marietta, GA Heidi Ross, ShowHomes, Little Rock, AR Peggy Spitaletto, Decorating Den Interiors, Plano, TX
Matalie Howard, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA Janie L. Harris, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX Judy Daves, Trumann High School, Trumann, AR
Victoria Sandford, Lake City High School, Coeur d'Alene, ID

Email Pre-PAC

Direct Telephone Line: 703-636-7641