The Council on Forecasting Standards

Advancing the Integrity of Probabilistic Markets

The Council establishes rigorous standards for the field of probabilistic forecasting and operates the Center for Prediction Markets (CPM), a non-profit research laboratory dedicated to market microstructure and integrity.

View Certification Standards

Our Mandate

The Council on Forecasting Standards (CFS) is a non-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of prediction science. In an era of rapid information volatility, the integrity of probabilistic forecasting is essential for public trust and academic inquiry.

Unlike commercial exchanges, the Council operates the Center for Prediction Markets (CPM), a limited-scope electronic market designed to gather empirical data on the efficacy of verified competency in financial markets.

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Market Microstructure

Investigating how safety guardrails and participant classification affect price discovery, spreads, and volatility in event contracts.

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Behavioral Dynamics

Studying the extent to which standardized market education and certification can mitigate behavioral biases in probabilistic forecasting.

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Information Aggregation

Validating whether professional standards lead to more accurate calibration and efficient information processing in matters of public interest.

Research Access Levels

To ensure market safety and data integrity, CPM operates under a "Dual-Guardrail" system. Participation is strictly tiered based on demonstrated competency and research utility.

Guardrail 1

General Research Participant

Open to the general public for the purpose of establishing baseline sentiment data and engaging in practical forecasting training.

Exposure Limit: $500 (Strict Cap)
  • Must be 18+ and U.S. Resident
  • Must execute Research Participation Agreement
  • Acknowledgement of Experimental Nature
  • Consent to Anonymized Data Publication
Guardrail 2

Certified Forecaster (CF)

Restricted to verified experts who have demonstrated liquidity management proficiency and successfully passed the Council's examination.

Exposure Limit: $10,000 (Strict Cap)
  • Must hold active CF Designation
  • Verified Identity & Background Check
  • Adherence to Market Integrity Code
  • No Trading Incentives or Rebates

Certified Forecaster (CF)

The Certified Forecaster (CF) designation is the academic standard of excellence for expert practitioners. It signifies that a professional has demonstrated a rigorous understanding of probability theory, decision science, and market mechanics.

To achieve the CF designation and qualify for Advanced Research Access (Guardrail 2), candidates must complete the full progression:

✔ Level I Exam
A comprehensive examination covering the fundamentals of probabilistic logic, Bayesian reasoning, and the ethical standards of forecasting.
✔ Level II Residency
A supervised residency requiring 500 verified forecasting hours as a General Research Participant to demonstrate liquidity management proficiency.
✔ Final Review
A rigorous background check and identity verification process to ensure the integrity of the high-limit research cohort.
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Education Accreditation

The Council does not directly provide preparatory training. Instead, we accredit independent third-party organizations to administer the Certified Forecaster (CF) curriculum. This separation ensures the independence of the Council's regulatory function.

Standards for Accreditation

To qualify as an Authorized Education Provider, partners must demonstrate full compliance with the Council's research framework:

  • Curriculum Alignment: Strict adherence to the Council’s Body of Knowledge (CBK), covering probabilistic logic, market microstructure, and ethics.
  • Examination Integrity: Provision of secure, proctored testing environments (digital or physical) that prevent collusion and identity fraud.
  • Data Reporting: Technical integration with the Council's API for verifying participant forecasting hours and liquidity management metrics.

Organizations wishing to apply for accreditation status may contact the Council directly to request the Standards Handbook.