Professional Picture Framers Association
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| Formation | 21 August 1971 |
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| Headquarters | 83 South Street, Unit 307 Freehold, NJ 07728 |
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Official language
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English |
| Website | www |
The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) is an international trade organization. The headquarters of the PPFA is based in Virginia, where four full-time staff serve the requirements of its members. These are the only paid staff of an otherwise volunteer-run association. Its primary focus is the education of custom picture framers. The organization and all its chapters are run by volunteers.
The Professional Picture Framers Association has 18 U.S. Chapters and two international Chapters, in Canada and Australia/New Zealand.
The Association currently represents over 2000 member businesses from around the world. Association members include independent frame shop owners and staff, distributors and manufacturers of picture frame mouldings, supplies and equipment.
PPFA has two levels of certification:
To attain CPF certification, the candidate must be active in the picture framing industry with a minimum one year's experience, and then pass a 3.5 hour, 150 question multiple choice examination. Candidates can also take the CPF examination online during certain timeslots, so that they do not have to travel to an examination venue.
The MCPF designation is earned by the candidate performing several objectives, all required:
In 2013 there are fewer than 70 MCPFs worldwide. Framers who have obtained either the CPF or MCPF designations are required to recertify through a day-long course every four years in order to keep abreast of new developments in the framing industry. In addition to the recertification course, a Master Certified Picture Framer must either take or teach three classes identified by the PPFA Certification Board as meeting the requirements for continuing education.
After attaining MCPF, a framer ceases to be a CPF. A framer who has obtained a qualification can place the relevant CPF or MCPF marking after his name for promotional purposes. The designations Certified Picture Framer, CPF and MCPF are all registered trademarks in the United States.
PPFA publishes a members only quarterly newsletter, provides news, ideas, the latest innovations, materials and methodologies important for the industry. On line forum has public and private (for members only) sections.
Over the years the organization has published numerous books and DVD’s. All publications are available to members for free in Chapter libraries or for purchase in PPFA bookstore. In addition, members have an on line access to a Framer’s Library, a collection of technical articles.
The association has an annual convention each January in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the convention, the PPFA conducts an international framing competition. This framing competition has two sections, the Open and Print competition. For the Open competition, entrants can frame an artwork of their choice. For the Print competition, entrants are all sent the same artwork and have to frame this creatively. During this annual convention, framers have the possibility to sit either the CPF or MCPF examination. Another means of communication among framers is the Framers Corner website run by the PPFA.
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