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Key Facts: CAFDES Exam

Level 7

RNCP qualification level (Master 2 equivalent)

RNCP 36838 / France Compétences

4 Blocks

Independent competency blocks (BC1 to BC4)

Arrêté du 27 août 2022

2 × 4 h

National written case study examinations (BC3 & BC4)

Arrêté du 27 août 2022, Art. 5

10 / 20

Minimum score required to validate each block

Décret n° 2022-1190

The CAFDES is the French state executive certification (Level 7 / Master 2) required to direct social and medico-social establishments (EHPAD, IME, MAS, ESAT, MECS) under Décret n° 2022-1190 and RNCP 36838. Delivered by EHESP across 26 training centres, certification consists of 4 competency blocks, featuring two national 4-hour written exams (HR and Finance/EPRD), a professional thesis defense, and a strategic decision note. Candidates must achieve at least 10/20 in each block. This bank is an English MCQ study adaptation, not a format simulation.

Sample CAFDES Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CAFDES exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Article L.313-3 of the Code de l'action sociale et des familles (CASF), which authorities jointly hold statutory competence to issue the initial authorization for opening an EHPAD in France?

A.The Director General of the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) and the President of the Conseil Départemental

B.The Prefect of the Department and the President of the Regional Council

C.The Director of the Caisse Nationale de Solidarité pour l'Autonomie (CNSA) and the Municipal Mayor

D.The Director of the Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) and the Departmental Director of Public Finances

Explanation: Article L.313-3 of the CASF establishes that establishments providing both medicalized nursing care and social dependency support to elderly persons, such as EHPADs, fall under a shared dual authority. The Director General of the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) represents state healthcare competencies, while the President of the Conseil Départemental represents departmental social welfare competence. Consequently, initial authorization, renewal, and major capacity transformations require a joint order (arrêté conjoint) signed by both authorities.

2What is the primary regulatory purpose of the Projet Régional de Santé (PRS) established by the Agence Régionale de Santé under Article L.1434-1 of the Code de la santé publique?

A.To audit and approve the individual analytical accounting sheets of private non-profit clinics

B.To define medium-term regional healthcare and medico-social priorities, objectives, and capacity programming across health, prevention, and autonomy sectors

C.To supervise collective bargaining negotiations between hospital trade unions and private healthcare federations

D.To directly allocate daily operational shifts and rosters for medical personnel across public hospitals

Explanation: The Projet Régional de Santé (PRS) is the foundational strategic planning document through which the ARS establishes healthcare policy and medico-social targets across its regional territory for a five-year period. Regulated by Article L.1434-1 of the Code de la santé publique, it includes the Cadre d'Orientation Stratégique (COS) and the Schéma Régional de Santé (SRS), coordinating preventive, hospital, ambulatory, and medico-social provision.

3In territorial strategic analysis, how does the Programme Régional Interdépartemental d'Accompagnement des Handicaps et de la Perte d'Autonomie (PRIAC) interact with departmental social schemas?

A.The PRIAC legally replaces all departmental schemas, centralizing all eldercare and disability decisions exclusively under the Regional Prefect

B.Departmental schemas dictate mandatory healthcare tariffs to the ARS, which must adopt them into the PRIAC without amendment

C.The PRIAC operationalizes regional state funding priorities for medico-social institutions, coordinating ARS financial commitments in coherence with departmental autonomy policies

D.The PRIAC exclusively governs private commercial nursing homes, whereas departmental schemas only regulate public disability institutions

Explanation: The PRIAC is drawn up by the ARS under Article L.314-9 of the CASF to program multi-year financial commitments and resource allocations for facilities supporting individuals with disabilities and loss of autonomy. It acts as an operational bridge between national healthcare objectives and local departmental schemas (schémas départementaux d'organisation sociale et médico-sociale), ensuring balanced territorial development and joint institutional funding.

4The institutional reform enacted by Law n° 2020-992 of August 7, 2020, created the '5th branch' of French Social Security. What is its official designated scope and governing institution?

A.Occupational accidents and illnesses, managed directly by the Caisse Centrale de la Mutualité Sociale Agricole (CCMSA)

B.Unemployment insurance and vocational retraining, managed jointly by Unédic and France Travail

C.Family allowances and childcare subsidies, managed by the Caisse Nationale des Allocations Familiales (CNAF)

D.Autonomy support for elderly and disabled persons (Branche Autonomie), managed by the Caisse Nationale de Solidarité pour l'Autonomie (CNSA)

Explanation: Law n° 2020-992 of August 7, 2020, established the 5th branch of the French Social Security system dedicated to autonomy (Branche Autonomie), enshrining national solidarity for elderly dependent persons and individuals with disabilities. The Caisse Nationale de Solidarité pour l'Autonomie (CNSA) was designated as the national managing body of this branch, pooling funding from the CSG, state contributions, and solidarity contributions to equalize resources across departments.

5Which French legislative milestone initiated the decentralization of social welfare competencies, transferring leadership for social assistance and child welfare to departmental councils?

A.The Defferre decentralization laws (Loi du 2 mars 1982 and Loi du 22 juillet 1983)

B.The HPST Law of July 21, 2009

C.The Loi Toubon of August 4, 1994

D.The Loi Élan of November 23, 2018

Explanation: The decentralization acts of 1982 and 1983 (Loi Defferre n° 82-213 and Loi n° 83-663) fundamentally restructured French territorial administration by transferring statutory responsibility for social action, child welfare (Aide Sociale à l'Enfance - ASE), and financial social assistance to the Conseils Généraux (now Conseils Départementaux), establishing them as the local pivot for social cohesion.

6Under Loi n° 2022-140 of February 7, 2022 (known as the Loi Taquet), which critical mandate was imposed on child protection establishments and departmental authorities?

A.Immediate privatization of all public Children's Social Homes (MECS) within twenty-four months

B.A strict ban on accommodating protected children in hotels or non-accredited tourist lodging, accompanied by reinforced oversight and national child placement standards

C.Transferring all child protection jurisdictions from specialized juvenile judges to municipal police tribunals

D.Eliminating the Cellule de Recueil des Informations Préoccupantes (CRIP) in all French departments

Explanation: The Loi Taquet of February 7, 2022, enacted major structural protections in the Aide Sociale à l'Enfance (ASE) system. Notably, it prohibited the placement of protected minors in non-accredited hotel facilities (hôtels non agréés), introduced national safety benchmarks, reinforced criminal background checks for staff, and strengthened youth transition support upon reaching adulthood.

7When an ESSMS director conducts a diagnostic territorial partagé, which methodological approach best ensures comprehensive identification of emerging social vulnerabilities?

A.Relying solely on historical billing ledger trends from the establishment's internal accounting software

B.Cross-referencing socio-demographic indicators (Insee, Drees) with health data (CépiDc, ARS) and qualitative input from local users, community partners, and departmental case managers

C.Limiting data collection to telephone interviews with commercial pharmacy suppliers operating within a five-kilometer radius

D.Restricting the investigation to national economic GDP growth projections published by the Ministry of Economy

Explanation: A robust diagnostic territorial partagé requires a mixed-methods methodology. It blends quantitative population data (Insee demographics, Drees social assistance statistics, ARS epidemiological figures) with qualitative assessments gathered from field professionals, local coordination bodies (e.g., DAC, CLIC, CPTS), and service users to uncover unmet needs and guide strategic adaptations.

8What is the statutory composition and advisory role of the Conseil Départemental de la Citoyenneté et de l'Autonomie (CDCA) under Article L.149-1 of the CASF?

A.A judicial disciplinary board empowered to revoke social worker operating licenses following professional negligence claims

B.A consultative body representing older adults and persons with disabilities, consulted on departmental schemas, prevention policies, and territorial autonomy funding

C.A closed committee of private clinic shareholders responsible for setting daily bed rates in commercial medical facilities

D.An executive purchasing syndicate in charge of bulk procurement for hospital medical equipment

Explanation: Created by the 2015 ASV Law (Loi d'adaptation de la société au vieillissement) and codified under Article L.149-1 of the CASF, the CDCA unites representatives of elder and disability associations, local authorities, and service providers. It is obligatorily consulted on departmental schemas for autonomy, prevention programs, and the allocation of the Conférence des financeurs.

9Under Article L.313-1-1 of the CASF, how are new social and medico-social service authorizations primarily granted by competent authorities to ensure public transparency and regulatory alignment?

A.Through a competitive call for projects procedure (procédure d'appel à projets) with published specifications and evaluation by an instruction commission

B.Through unilateral discretionary direct appointments made exclusively during closed-door parliamentary hearings

C.Through automatic licensing granted to any applicant who deposits a nominal corporate charter at the local municipal registry

D.Through a lottery system drawn at random by the regional administrative tribunal

Explanation: Since the 2009 HPST Law, Article L.313-1-1 of the CASF stipulates that any project involving the creation or substantial extension of an ESSMS funded by social security or public social assistance must undergo an official call for projects (appel à projets). A joint or single instruction commission evaluates tenders against strict public specifications (cahier des charges) before the authority awards the authorization.

10What is the primary function of a Note d'aide à la décision prepared by an ESSMS director for the Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration)?

A.To summarize daily cafeteria menus for publication on local parent-teacher association bulletin boards

B.To synthesize a complex strategic, legal, or financial problem, assess viable alternatives with associated risks, and provide an actionable executive recommendation

C.To replace the legally mandated statutory auditor's annual financial certification

D.To serve as a binding court summons for external commercial contractors in breach of contract

Explanation: A Note d'aide à la décision (decision-support briefing note) is a core executive management tool evaluated in CAFDES Competency Block 1. It provides governing boards with an objective, concise synthesis of a strategic challenge (e.g., CPOM renegotiation, structural reorganization, capital investment), outlines regulatory and financial implications, evaluates realistic scenarios, and justifies a recommended course of action.

About the CAFDES Exam

The Certificat d'Aptitude aux Fonctions de Directeur d'Établissement ou de Service d'Intervention Sociale (CAFDES) is France's premier Level 7 (Master 2) professional executive qualification for directors of social and medico-social establishments and services (ESSMS). Regulated by Décret n° 2022-1190 and Arrêté du 27 août 2022 (registered under RNCP 36838) and coordinated nationally by the École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique (EHESP) in Rennes, the CAFDES qualifies executive leaders across elderly care (EHPAD), disability services (IME, MAS, FAM, ESAT, SAMSAH), child protection (MECS), and social inclusion centres (CHRS). The training and certification program is organized into four discrete competency blocks: strategic territorial positioning and public social policy (BC1), multi-actor institution project design and territorial partnerships (BC2), human resources leadership, labor law, and continuous social dialogue (BC3), and economic, financial, and logistical management under multi-year budget frameworks (BC4, covering EPRD, ERRD, CPOM, and ERP facility compliance). National certification assessments include two demanding four-hour written case studies (BC3 and BC4), a professional practice thesis defense before a national jury (BC2), and a strategic decision note (BC1). This question bank offers an English-language study adaptation to reinforce mastery of French medico-social legislation, governance mechanisms, labor jurisprudence, and financial regulations.

Exam sponsor: École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique (EHESP) / Ministère du Travail, de la Santé et des Solidarités. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

BC1 assesses strategic public-policy work through a note d'aide à la décision and oral; BC2 assesses definition and steering of the institution/service project through professional-practice work and oral; BC3 and BC4 use national four-hour case studies in human resources and economic/financial/logistics management. Each block combines its certification task with an in-course assessment and is validated separately at the official 10/20 threshold.

Time Limit

BC1 oral: 30 min after the written note; BC2 oral: 45 min; BC3 written: 4 h; BC4 written: 4 h; in-course assessment duration varies

Passing Score

Minimum 10/20 in each of the 4 competency blocks; blocks are capitalizable for life

Exam / Certification Fees

No single national certification-exam fee is published; training tuition and funding vary by accredited centre

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Social Policies & Strategic Territorial Analysis (BC1)

Analysis of French public social policies, territorial health planning (PRS, PRIAC, departmental schemas), diagnostic methodology, and strategic decision-support briefing notes (Note d'aide à la décision)

25%

Institution Project Conception & Territorial Partnerships (BC2)

Establishment project design, inter-institutional networking and CPOM, user rights and participation (CVS, Law 2002-2), personalized care projects (PPA), and HAS quality evaluation

25%

Human Resources Management & Continuous Social Dialogue (BC3)

HR management in social/medico-social establishments, labor law, collective agreements (CCN 51, CCN 66), CSE dialogue, skills development, QVT, and psychosocial risk prevention (DUERP)

25%

Economic, Financial & Logistics Management (BC4)

Budgetary and financial management under EPRD/ERRD, analytical cost accounting, multi-year investment plans (PPI), tariff structures, ERP safety, and sustainable facility logistics

Preparing for the CAFDES Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Minimum 10/20 in each of the 4 competency blocks; blocks are capitalizable for life
Assessment: BC1 assesses strategic public-policy work through a note d'aide à la décision and oral; BC2 assesses definition and steering of the institution/service project through professional-practice work and oral; BC3 and BC4 use national four-hour case studies in human resources and economic/financial/logistics management. Each block combines its certification task with an in-course assessment and is validated separately at the official 10/20 threshold.
Time limit: BC1 oral: 30 min after the written note; BC2 oral: 45 min; BC3 written: 4 h; BC4 written: 4 h; in-course assessment duration varies
Exam / certification fees: No single national certification-exam fee is published; training tuition and funding vary by accredited centre Official sources

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CAFDES: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the distinction between public health and social welfare competence: clearly understand the complementary roles of the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS, under Code de la santé publique) and the Conseil Départemental (under Code de l'action sociale et des familles).

2Thoroughly analyze EPRD financial mechanics: understand the balance between the administrative accounts, the PGFP (Plan Global de Financement Pluriannuel), the tableau de bord des indicateurs ANAP, and working capital requirements (Fonds de Roulement Net Global and Besoins en Fonds de Roulement).

3Memorize key provisions of the 2002-2 reform and HAS quality framework: study the seven mandatory tools protecting user rights (Livret d'accueil, Charte des droits et libertés, Contrat de séjour, CVS, Règlement de fonctionnement, Projet personnalisé, Personne qualifiée) and the 2022 HAS evaluation manual.

4Review collective bargaining and labor law specifics: understand the operational differences between CCN 51 (FEHAP), CCN 66 (disability/child protection), and the statutory rules of the Fonction Publique Hospitalière (FPH), focusing on working hours, CSE consultations, and disciplinary procedures.

5Practice structured drafting for decision notes: ensure every strategic analysis includes a territorial diagnosis (swot), clear regulatory justification (CASF / CSP), financial feasibility analysis (EPRD impact), and a multi-stakeholder governance roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAFDES credential and what career roles does it lead to?

The CAFDES (Certificat d'Aptitude aux Fonctions de Directeur d'Établissement ou de Service d'Intervention Sociale) is a French national Level 7 qualification (Master 2 equivalent, RNCP 36838). It certifies directors and executive managers of social and medico-social establishments and services (ESSMS) governed by Article L.312-1 of the CASF, including EHPADs, disability facilities (MAS, FAM, IME, ESAT), child welfare homes (MECS), and social integration centres (CHRS).

Which institution organizes and delivers the CAFDES certification?

The certification is organized nationally by the École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique (EHESP) based in Rennes on behalf of the French Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Solidarity. Theoretical training and local coordination are provided by 26 accredited regional social work training institutes (such as IRTS, ERTS, and ESEIS).

How is the CAFDES structured under the 2022 reform?

Under Décret n° 2022-1190 and Arrêté du 27 août 2022, the CAFDES is structured into four Blocs de Compétences (BC): BC1 (Participating in territorial social policies and defining establishment strategy), BC2 (Designing and leading the establishment project in territorial partnerships), BC3 (Managing human resources and continuous social dialogue), and BC4 (Managing economic, financial, and logistical resources sustainably).

How are the four competency blocks evaluated?

Evaluation combines national and local assessments: BC1 is assessed through a strategic decision-support briefing note (Note d'aide à la décision); BC2 is assessed via a written professional practice thesis (mémoire de pratique professionnelle) and a 45-minute oral defense before a national jury; BC3 is assessed through a national 4-hour written case-study examination on HR and social dialogue; and BC4 is assessed through a national 4-hour written case-study examination on budgetary, financial, and logistical management.

What are the passing criteria for the CAFDES?

To obtain the CAFDES, candidates must validate each of the four competency blocks with a mark of at least 10/20. Validated blocks are acquired permanently (capitalisables à vie) under RNCP standards, allowing candidates who fail a block to re-sit only the unvalidated components.