Certification
The GFT certification ladder.
One Free Orientation, five numbered levels, and one invitation-only fellowship. Every rung uses the same six-domain framework and the same four-point rating scale. Human review is required starting at Level 2 and mandatory at every stage from Level 3 onward.
Free GFT Orientation
Course completion — not a credential100% automated
Available
GFT Foundations Certificate
Foundations Certificate (knowledge)100% automated · auto-issued
Available
GFT Certified Practitioner
Professional CertificationRubric-assisted scoring + mandatory human reviewer sign-off
Available
GFT Advanced Practitioner
Professional Certification (advanced)Human review mandatory — classroom-evidence case study
Available
GFT Certified Facilitator
Facilitator CertificationHuman review mandatory at every stage
Available
GFT Implementation Leader
Facilitator / Leadership CertificationHuman review mandatory at every stage
Available
Master Formation Fellow
Post-ladder distinction — not a level, not a purchasable credentialEligibility review, three-reviewer panel, live colloquium, unanimous determination
Beyond certification
Master Formation Fellow
By application or nomination
A selective post-ladder distinction available to eligible GFT Implementation Leaders through formal application or nomination, eligibility review, portfolio review, colloquium, and unanimous Fellowship Panel determination.
The numbered GFT ladder ends at Level 5 — GFT Implementation Leader. Fellowship is a separate, non-numbered distinction — it is not a sixth level, it is never purchased, and holding Level 5 establishes eligibility to pursue it without guaranteeing admission or award.
- Pillar IImplementation Impact
- Pillar IIFormation Leadership
- Pillar IIIMentorship & Capacity Building
- Pillar IVScholarship & Knowledge Contribution
- Pillar VEthical Stewardship
Candidacy requires an active Level 5 credential held in good standing for at least 12 months, two qualifying endorsements, and written candidate consent. Every award requires eligibility review, a 3-reviewer panel scoring independently, a live colloquium, and unanimous determination. Any fees are nominal cost recovery only and never influence the outcome.
Candidacy intake is not open. Application and nomination will open when the Founding Steward authorizes the first Fellowship cycle.
Endorsements
Fifteen lateral endorsements stack onto any level without changing the level number. Endorsement applications are not open yet; they will be announced in a future release.
Endorsements are lateral badges — they stack onto any level without changing the level number.
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
- Performing Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- ELA
- Social Studies
- School Leadership
- District Leadership
- Assessment
- Professional Development
- Implementation Coaching
- Research & Evaluation