Development Finance Certified Professional Program
The Industry Standard in Development Finance Certification
Position yourself as a trusted leader in development finance with the Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) designation.
CDFA’s DFCP helps professionals build the technical knowledge, industry credibility, and practical understanding needed to navigate complex financing tools and move projects forward. Through this comprehensive certification program, participants strengthen their expertise across the full development finance spectrum and stand out as knowledgeable, committed leaders in economic and community development finance. Get started today!
1
Complete six eligible CDFA Training Institute courses.
🡢
2
Study using your course materials, study guide, and optional study packs.
🡢
3
Pass the comprehensive exam and join a national network of leaders.
-Certification Benefits
Earning the Development Finance Certified Professional designation helps professionals demonstrate that they have the knowledge, commitment, and technical foundation needed to work confidently across the development finance industry.
The DFCP designation can help you:
Strengthen your professional credibility
Show employers, clients, partners, and stakeholders that you have completed a rigorous certification program focused specifically on development finance.
Build practical, cross-tool knowledge
Gain a stronger understanding of how bonds, tax credits, TIF, PACE, revolving loan funds, federal financing programs, and other tools can work together to support real projects.
Stand out in a complex field
Development finance requires more than familiarity with one program or funding source. The DFCP designation signals that you understand the broader financing landscape and how different tools can be applied to advance community investment.
Advance your career and leadership potential
Whether you work in government, finance, law, consulting, nonprofits, or economic development, the DFCP designation helps position you as a knowledgeable professional prepared to contribute at a higher level.
-Certification Requirements
Becoming a Development Finance Certified Professional is rigorous, flexible, and achievable. Participants complete six CDFA Training Institute courses and pass the DFCP exam to earn the designation.
Become a DFCP in 3 Simple Steps
-
Complete Six CDFA Training Institute Courses
Participants may choose the six courses that best align with their professional goals and experience. Any CDFA Training Institute course counts toward the six-course requirement.
-
Prepare for the DFCP Exam
CDFA recommends completing the core development finance courses to build a strong foundation and prepare for the exam. These include Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance, Intro Revolving Loan Fund, Intro Tax Credit Finance, Intro Bond Finance, and Intro Tax Increment Finance courses.
The DFCP exam is based directly on CDFA’s Reference Guides, which support and expand upon the core courses.
-
Pass the Comprehensive DFCP Exam
After completing the required coursework, participants take a comprehensive exam covering key development finance concepts, tools, and applications. Once passed, graduates earn the Development Finance Certified Professional designation and may use “DFCP” after their name.
Participants can complete the program at their own pace, with some earning the designation in as little as two years.
Build Your Pathway
DFCP 6-Course Package
Includes:
- Five courses at the Early Bird rate
- One additional course at 50% off
- Flexible scheduling over three years
-Exam Preparation
The DFCP Exam is the final step toward earning your Development Finance Certified Professional designation. Based on CDFA’s Reference Guides, the exam evaluates your understanding of the core tools, concepts, and strategies used across the development finance industry.
After purchasing the exam, you’ll receive a confirmation email with access instructions and a DFCP Study Guide to help you prepare.
Study Your Way
Purchase Individually or as a Package
Resources Available for Purchase:
- Reference Guides used for the exam
- Practitioner’s Guide to Economic Development Finance, 2nd Edition
- Bond Finance Reference Guide
- Revolving Loan Fund Reference Guide
- Tax Credit Reference Guide
- Tax Increment Finance Reference Guide
- Study Guide included with DFCP Exam
Purchase the reference guides individually or get all five with the discounted DFCP Study Pack.
DFCP Study Pack
Member |
DFCP Study Pack
Non-Member |
| $300 |
$450 |
Purchase through the CDFA Bookstore
-DFCP Pricing
The DFCP Program is designed with clear pricing so participants can plan ahead and complete the designation at their own pace.
6-Course DFCP Package
The 6-Course DFCP Package helps participants save on required course registrations by bundling all six courses in advance.
Member Price: $2,750
Non-Member Price: $4,525
The package includes five courses at the early bird rate and a sixth course at an additional 50% off. The package expires three years from the date of purchase and is non-transferable.
DFCP Study Pack
The DFCP Study Pack includes the five core CDFA Reference Guides used to prepare for the exam. These guides may also be used as reference materials during the exam.
Member Price: $300
Non-Member Price: $450
DFCP Exam
The DFCP Exam is required to earn the designation and comes with a digital DFCP Study Guide. The online exam may be taken up to two times with the initial purchase.
Exam Fee: $400
Additional attempts require a new exam purchase. Exam access expires three years from the date of purchase.
Rates are based on 2026 pricing and are subject to change.