Taylor Protocols · Core Values Index (CVI)
Clear answers about the Core Values Index (CVI), how it works, and ways to use it.
Lynn Ellsworth Taylor created the Core Values Index (CVI). He developed the assessment through more than 30 years of research and practical application. Taylor Protocols, Inc. is the creator and developer of the CVI, which has been completed more than 1.3 million times. Read more about Taylor Protocols and the assessment’s history on the About page.
Taylor Protocols, Inc. owns and develops the Core Values Index (CVI). Taylor Protocols is the official source for the assessment, its reports, and its practitioner programs. Core Values Index™ and CVI™ are trademarks of Taylor Protocols, Inc. For questions about licensing, authorized use, or ownership, contact Taylor Protocols directly.
The official place to take the Core Values Index (CVI) is the Taylor Protocols website. The online assessment and personalized report are available through the official checkout page. Taking the assessment directly from Taylor Protocols ensures access to the official CVI experience and its 17-page report. Visit the checkout page to begin.
The Core Values Index (CVI) has more than 30 years of research and practical use behind it, and more than 1.3 million assessments have been completed. Lynn Ellsworth Taylor developed the CVI through research and application in organizations. These figures describe Taylor Protocols’ reported history and cumulative assessment volume.
Yes. The Core Values Index (CVI) is available in English, Dutch, and Spanish. Taylor Protocols provides localized experiences so participants can complete the assessment in a supported language. Choose the language version available to you before starting, and contact Taylor Protocols if you need assistance choosing the right option.
The Core Values Index (CVI) measures a person’s innate motivational values and the proportions in which those values appear. The CVI focuses on natural ways of contributing rather than a temporary mood, learned skill, or behavioral preference. Results describe the person’s profile across four values and are intended as a tool for self-understanding and discussion.
The four core values are Builder, Merchant, Innovator, and Banker. Builder expresses power through action and results; Merchant expresses love through connection and shared vision; Innovator expresses wisdom through problem-solving; and Banker expresses knowledge through accuracy and fairness. The Core Values Index (CVI) describes everyone as having all four in a unique proportion.
The Core Values Index (CVI) is an online word-choice assessment. Participants choose words from groups of four, following the instructions on screen; there are no right or wrong answers. The choices are used to calculate a profile across Builder, Merchant, Innovator, and Banker. Answer thoughtfully based on your natural preferences rather than trying to produce a particular result.
The Core Values Index (CVI) takes about 8–10 minutes to complete. Participants select words from groups of four and receive their results after finishing. Choose a quiet moment, read each instruction carefully, and answer without trying to match an ideal profile. The official online assessment is available through Taylor Protocols.
CVI scores show the relative proportion of each of the four core values in a person’s profile. The results identify dominant and secondary values while also displaying all four values, rather than assigning a person to a single category. The 17-page report explains how the profile may relate to contribution, learning, and conflict; scores are not a diagnosis.
The Core Values Index (CVI) is designed to measure innate core values that Taylor Protocols considers stable over time. Skills, habits, roles, behavior, and the way someone expresses their values can change with experience, even when the underlying profile remains stable. Small score differences between assessments do not necessarily mean a person’s nature has changed.
Retaking the Core Values Index (CVI) may make sense if the first attempt was interrupted, instructions were misunderstood, or a current process requires a new result. Taylor Protocols reports 97.7% repeat reliability, so retaking is not usually necessary simply because time has passed. Review the original report first and contact a qualified CVI practitioner if results raise questions.
Taylor Protocols reports 97.7% repeat reliability for the Core Values Index (CVI), based on its test/retest research. The Taylor Protocols article “Why the Core Values Index Has 97.7% Repeat Reliability” explains how repeat reliability is assessed and discusses the company’s test/retest studies. This is Taylor Protocols’ reported evidence, not independent third-party validation or a guarantee of identical individual scores.
The Core Values Index (CVI) measures proportions across four motivational values; Myers-Briggs sorts preferences into 16 types based on four dimensions. The frameworks answer different questions and should not be treated as interchangeable. Taylor Protocols describes the distinction in “Core Values Index vs Myers-Briggs: Choosing the Right Assessment for You.” Choose based on the purpose and evidence you need.
The Core Values Index (CVI) focuses on four core values and a person’s motivational contribution, while DISC describes behavioral styles commonly grouped as Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. The models use different concepts, formats, and interpretations. Neither result should be substituted for the other; select the assessment that fits the question and use case.
The Core Values Index (CVI), Big Five, and Enneagram use different frameworks and describe people in different ways. The CVI reports proportions of four core values; the Big Five describes trait dimensions, and the Enneagram uses a nine-type framework. Their scores are not directly comparable. Review each model’s purpose and evidence before choosing one.
The Core Values Index (CVI) is not designed as a conventional personality-type test. Taylor Protocols describes the CVI as measuring innate core values and patterns of contribution, rather than classifying personality preferences or temporary behavior. The results are one source of insight, not a clinical diagnosis, a complete description of a person, or a substitute for professional assessment.
The Core Values Index (CVI) can offer insight into the kinds of contribution and work activities that may feel natural, which can inform career exploration. It does not choose a career or predict success by itself. Combine the profile with skills, interests, experience, financial needs, and real-world opportunities, and use the report as one input to a broader decision.
The Core Values Index (CVI) can give people a shared vocabulary for discussing differences in motivation, communication, and contribution. That understanding may support more thoughtful conversations, but an assessment alone cannot resolve relationship difficulties or guarantee improvement. Use the profile as a starting point for listening and mutual understanding, and seek qualified support when needed.
Counselors and couples therapists may use the Core Values Index (CVI) as a conversation aid to explore clients’ values, communication patterns, and sources of tension. The CVI is not a diagnosis or a substitute for clinical judgment, therapy, or safeguarding. Practitioners should use it within their professional scope and explain its role clearly to clients.
Businesses use the Core Values Index (CVI) to support conversations about role fit, team contribution, communication, and development. In hiring, the CVI should be only one job-related input within a consistent, fair process—not the sole basis for a decision. Taylor Protocols offers business and hiring programs; organizations should follow applicable employment and privacy requirements.
A Top Performer Profile compares the core-value pattern associated with strong performance in a particular role to an individual’s CVI profile. It can help frame discussion about role alignment and development, but it is not a guarantee of job success or a stand-alone hiring decision. Contact Taylor Protocols for details about creating and using role profiles.
Taylor Protocols does not publish a minimum age for taking the Core Values Index (CVI) on this site. Because the assessment is intended to be understood and completed thoughtfully, contact Taylor Protocols before purchasing or administering the CVI to a minor. A parent, guardian, or responsible practitioner should determine whether participation is appropriate.
The individual Core Values Index (CVI) assessment and report cost $49.95 USD. The purchase includes the online assessment, full scores across the four values, and a personalized 17-page report. Results are provided after completion. For current availability and checkout details, use the official Taylor Protocols checkout page.
To become a CVI Certified Practitioner, review the certification information on the Taylor Protocols website and submit an inquiry through the certification page. Taylor Protocols can explain the current pathway, eligibility, and next steps. Certification and reseller options are distinct programs, so describe your professional goals when contacting the team.
The CVI certification program prepares practitioners to understand and apply the Core Values Index (CVI) with clients or organizations. Program details, requirements, and current inclusions are provided by Taylor Protocols because offerings may vary by pathway. Visit the certification page for current information about the CVI Certified Practitioner, Value Added Reseller, and corporate license options.
To explore becoming a Value Added Reseller, contact Taylor Protocols through the certification page and ask about the current reseller pathway. Taylor Protocols can explain the program, requirements, and pricing; the published program price is $3,997. Reseller participation is separate from taking the individual CVI or completing practitioner certification.
Yes. Taylor Protocols offers corporate licensing for organizations that need broader access to the Core Values Index (CVI). Corporate license pricing is customized to the organization and intended use. Contact Taylor Protocols with details about your team size, application, and rollout plans to discuss scope, permissions, and a suitable agreement.
Contact Taylor Protocols through the website’s Contact page for questions about the Core Values Index (CVI), reports, business use, certification, or partnerships. Include the topic and relevant details so your message can be routed appropriately. For assessment purchase support, use the contact information shown on the official checkout or report pages.
