Hi. I was one of the "lucky" ones who worked at Michael's for a few yrs. I was certified with them as a cpf taking the cert. test and given a "diploma". The test had come from Larson Juhl, which at the time was Michaels main supplier. Is this the same test given by ppfa for cpf? I feel that it probably is since Michaels is so big in the market and Larson Juhl is a high ranker in the field. Thoughts about this?????Thx. s.
"Michaels" certified
- Thread starter suzy
- Start date
Sorry Suzy, I don't think so. The test that LJ has is a sample test that you can study by. You are not a certified CPF unless tested by PPFA. I found that the LJ test had some questions that were exactly like the real test but the certified test was a lot harder. What exactly does your diploma say.
Suzy;
You have finally given me something to agree with Zorro about. The answer to "are they the same" is a very big NO. In fact if you check the archives you 'll probably find a good deal of information on this very topic.Furthermore if you look into the profiles under Merrill Grayson CPF (cm) you can get his email and ask him directly .Merrill is one of the directors of the PPFA's CPF exam.I'm sure he can give you a bunch of reasons why the two exams aren't the same.
BUDDY
You have finally given me something to agree with Zorro about. The answer to "are they the same" is a very big NO. In fact if you check the archives you 'll probably find a good deal of information on this very topic.Furthermore if you look into the profiles under Merrill Grayson CPF (cm) you can get his email and ask him directly .Merrill is one of the directors of the PPFA's CPF exam.I'm sure he can give you a bunch of reasons why the two exams aren't the same.
BUDDY
MiterMan
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Suzy,
You may have gotten a certificate from Michael's and in that sense you are certified, but you are not a Certified Picture Framer. Only the PPFA has the authority to grant that designation. In fact, I believe it was at least in part Michael's use of "certified framers" that led the PPFA to begin the process of getting CPF and Certified Picture Framer copyrighted, trademarked, or whatever.
The test you took was developed by Larson Juhl mainly for use in their training program and as a sample test to prepare for the CPF exam. They are the same type of questions you can expect to see, but it is not a CPF exam. With all due respect to Michaels and their framers, I seriously doubt they would expect their framers to know what materials are needed to reline a canvas. I have seen the Larson Juhl test you mentioned, and I can tell you that the CPF exam is much more thorough and rigorous.
You may have gotten a certificate from Michael's and in that sense you are certified, but you are not a Certified Picture Framer. Only the PPFA has the authority to grant that designation. In fact, I believe it was at least in part Michael's use of "certified framers" that led the PPFA to begin the process of getting CPF and Certified Picture Framer copyrighted, trademarked, or whatever.
The test you took was developed by Larson Juhl mainly for use in their training program and as a sample test to prepare for the CPF exam. They are the same type of questions you can expect to see, but it is not a CPF exam. With all due respect to Michaels and their framers, I seriously doubt they would expect their framers to know what materials are needed to reline a canvas. I have seen the Larson Juhl test you mentioned, and I can tell you that the CPF exam is much more thorough and rigorous.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Is this the same test given by ppfa for cpf? I feel that it probably is since Michaels is so big in the market and Larson Juhl is a high ranker in the field. Thoughts about this?????Thx. s.<hr></blockquote>
I have not seen the Michaels test, so all I can do is describe the PPFA® CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> program and let you draw your own conclusion.
The CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> was developed by the Guild committee of the PPFA® and introduced in 1986. Since then over 3000 framers world wide have been awarded the designation CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup>.
The CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> Exam is a comprehensive testing of knowledge of the industry consisting of a 150 question exam in a timed format. Prior experience of one year in the industry is required prior to taking the exam. The passing percentage for those taking the exam runs around 55-60% and has held this rate for at least the last 5 years. The exam is periodically reviewed and revised to keep the questions current with changes in the industry.
The only certification program that is similar is the Guild Commended Framer program developed in 1994 by the Fine Art Trade Guild in the UK.
In addition PPFA® requires persons who received their CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> status after 1993 to recertify every four years to keep their CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> status current. This ReCertification course is designed to keep the CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> up to date on the latest in the industry. And lest you think that "grandfathered" CPF's<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> do not feel it necessary to take the ReCertification course, on average 60% of ReCertification class participants are "grandfathered"
In fact, I received my CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> designation in 1992 and will be taking the ReCertification course in 3 weeks at the PPFA/PMA convention in Orlando. For the second time since the course was started in 1996. And I help determine the course content!
If you, or anyone has any questions concerning the PPFA® CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> program, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
I have not seen the Michaels test, so all I can do is describe the PPFA® CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> program and let you draw your own conclusion.
The CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> was developed by the Guild committee of the PPFA® and introduced in 1986. Since then over 3000 framers world wide have been awarded the designation CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup>.
The CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> Exam is a comprehensive testing of knowledge of the industry consisting of a 150 question exam in a timed format. Prior experience of one year in the industry is required prior to taking the exam. The passing percentage for those taking the exam runs around 55-60% and has held this rate for at least the last 5 years. The exam is periodically reviewed and revised to keep the questions current with changes in the industry.
The only certification program that is similar is the Guild Commended Framer program developed in 1994 by the Fine Art Trade Guild in the UK.
In addition PPFA® requires persons who received their CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> status after 1993 to recertify every four years to keep their CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> status current. This ReCertification course is designed to keep the CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> up to date on the latest in the industry. And lest you think that "grandfathered" CPF's<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> do not feel it necessary to take the ReCertification course, on average 60% of ReCertification class participants are "grandfathered"
In fact, I received my CPF<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> designation in 1992 and will be taking the ReCertification course in 3 weeks at the PPFA/PMA convention in Orlando. For the second time since the course was started in 1996. And I help determine the course content!
If you, or anyone has any questions concerning the PPFA® CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER<sup><span style="font-size:90%">CM</sup> program, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Emibub
PFG, Picture Framing God
Suzy, You must have worked at Michael's some time ago. In my years there they had their own inhouse "certification". I was required as a manager to certify all framers within 90 days. The whole thing was a joke. The managers before me had always given the people the answer sheet. I at least tried to make it mean something to my people. But it was darned hard to explain how to answer the questions. I'd have to tell them "We really do it this way but you have to answer it that way to get it right on the test". The thing that comes to mind at this moment is the correct way to frame needlework. Michaels "correct" answer is to use ATG tape. This is obviously not the correct way to do needlework but Michael's has that as the correct way because it saves time. Their test is all geared towards their way of framing. I always felt bad for the people who wanted to get their certificate before the quit. I've studied for the CPF (never took it though). But believe me i surely didn't bring my "certificate" with me when I left Michael's!
Kathy
Kathy