The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the CLFP Foundation announced a joint collaboration to support and advance the Certified Lease & Finance Professional credential, the preeminent designation for equipment finance professionals. Throughout 2016, ELFA will collaborate with the CLFP Foundation to raise awareness of the credential among the association’s membership and encourage members to enroll in the CLFP program to improve their skills, advance their careers and prepare for the future.

“The CLFP credential is the singular standard for professionalism in the equipment leasing and finance industry,” said Reid Raykovich, CLFP Executive Director. “There are currently 302 CLFPs and Associates throughout the world, and we look forward to growing participation in the program through this exciting alliance with ELFA.”

“We are very pleased to support the CLFP Foundation and help raise the visibility of their important work among the ELFA membership,” said Ralph Petta, ELFA President & CEO. “At the recommendation of a task force of the ELFA Board of Directors, over the past year the association conducted a comprehensive needs and market analysis regarding the level of interest in a credentialing program for the equipment finance industry. Based on the feedback received from members, ELFA has decided to expand our involvement with the CLFP Foundation to raise awareness and increase the visibility of their existing credential. We are encouraging all members who haven’t yet earned the CLFP designation to consider enrolling in this highly-respected program to demonstrate their industry expertise and increase their opportunities for advancement in this great industry.”

Throughout 2016, ELFA will promote the CLFP program to its membership through a variety of communication channels, including the association’s Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine, QuickBrief e-newsletter, ELFAonline.org website and social media properties. The association also will market the program through a wide range of professional development events and provide exhibit booth space for CLFP Foundation staff at key conferences. In addition, members who attend or teach at ELFA conferences and web seminars will be eligible to earn CLFP continuing education credits.

ELFA members interested in pursuing the CLFP credential must complete an application at www.clpfoundation.org and pass a rigorous eight-hour exam demonstrating mastery of the essentials of equipment leasing and finance. The CLFP offers a variety of study tools to help candidates prepare for the exam, including the CLFP Handbook, the CLFP Mentor Program and the Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals, a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam. Upon achieving the CLFP designation, recipients must meet ongoing requirements to maintain their elite status as a CLFP in Good Standing and retain the license to use the designation.