CFE FAQs

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a leader in the anti-fraud community, noted as a specialist in the prevention, detection and deterrence of fraud. CFEs represent the highest standards held by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

The standards are set by the ACFE's Board of Regents, who are elected by CFEs and drawn from our most experienced members.

Yes, the CFE credential is recognized and accepted worldwide as the standard of excellence for anti-fraud professionals.

No. The CFE credential is unique to the ACFE.

Qualifications for becoming a CFE include having high moral character and meeting minimum professional and academic requirements. Your eligibility for certification is based on a point system that awards credit for education, professional credentials and fraud-related experience. Read more about the qualifications.

It is important that you sufficiently prepare for the CFE Exam. We offer a variety of ways to prepare for the CFE Exam, from instructor-led courses to self-directed exam preparation methods. Learn about the approved exam preparation methods and tools to find the best option for you.

No. The CFE credential is a unique credential with its own requirements and standards. Your other certifications may count as part of the qualifying points system, but they will not automatically make you a CFE.

No. All applicants are required to take the CFE Exam. Previous experience or previous certifications will not exempt you from taking any part of the exam.

CFEs must earn at least 20 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits every 12-month period, pay annual membership dues and follow the ACFE Code of Professional Ethics and the ACFE Code of Professional Standards.

The cost to take the CFE Exam is $450.

You will be eligible to take the CFE Exam once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed and approved. Generally, this process takes 5-7 business days. You will receive an email once your application has been approved.

We always process CFE Exam applications and supporting documents in the order they are received. In the interest of fairness, we cannot expedite any of our procedures.

Your application is valid for two years from the date we receive it. If after two years you have not completed the CFE Exam, your application will be canceled and a new application, application fee and supporting documents must be submitted.

We recommended you complete the online CFE Exam application and upload your supporting documents to the Certification Portal. If you are unable to submit the application online, you may download the CFE Exam application as a PDF and submit it by email or mail to the address listed on the form.

You should submit your CFE Exam application and supporting documentation at least 30 days before you are ready to take the CFE Exam. Submit your application and payment online and access the Certification Portal to upload the supporting documents and complete the CFE Exam application process.

Fraud-related experience means that you have worked full-time in a position that contributes to the prevention, detection or deterrence of fraud. Fields related to fraud include accounting, auditing, criminology, sociology, investigation techniques, loss prevention and law. Read a detailed explanation of the necessary qualifications.

If your experience is in the fraud-related categories outlined on the CFE Qualifications page (found in the Professional Requirements Section) you can count it towards your professional experience to earn the CFE credential. If your experience does not easily fall within one of those categories, but your responsibilities include the detection, investigation or deterrence of fraud, your experience may qualify as indirectly fraud-related. If you cannot determine if your experience is directly or indirectly related to fraud, submit your résumé to MemberServices@ACFE.com for review before applying to take the CFE Exam. We will let you know if your work experience meets the qualifications. Keep in mind, the Certification Committee has the final say regarding acceptable fraud-related work experience.

Yes. You can study for and take the CFE Exam even if you do not have two years of fraud-related work experience. As long as you reach the 40-point minimum on the exam application you will be eligible to take the exam. However, you will not become certified until you have at least two years of practical experience either directly or indirectly related to the detection, investigation or deterrence of fraud. Read more about the details.

To maintain the high standards held by the ACFE and ensure the integrity of the CFE credential, it is important to ensure all candidates are of good moral character and a strong addition to the anti-fraud profession. Select three individuals who have worked closely with you in a professional environment or professional capacity (e.g., past or current co-workers, managers or supervisors).

Professional recommendations are good for three years from the date signed. Should your forms expire before certification, you will be contacted to provide current recommendations.

No, the individuals signing the recommendation forms do not have to be CFEs. The main requirement is that these individuals have worked closely with you in a professional setting.

We prefer applicants submit three online recommendations or upload professional recommendation forms to the Certification Portal. However, we will accept a recommendation letter provided the letter is completed by an individual who has worked with you in a professional setting, can attest to your integrity, character and professional skills and recommends you to earn the CFE credential.  Recommendation letters must include the date, signature and contact information of the individual recommending you.

No. ACFE conferences, seminars and self-study courses provide you with CPE credits, but they do not affect the exam point system for becoming a CFE.

Make sure that you have submitted your CFE Exam application, details of your fraud-related work experience, three professional recommendations, proof of education and are an associate member of the ACFE.

When your exam application has been approved, you can schedule your exam appointments. For additional details on the CFE Exam, visit the CFE Exam FAQ page.

The CFE Exam consists of four sections: Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes, Law, Investigation and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence. You will have two hours to complete each section of the CFE Exam. Although the total exam time is approximately eight hours, you are not required to complete all four sections in one sitting. You may take each section of the exam at you own convenience, as long as all sections are completed within 60 days.

No. Each CFE candidate must take and pass all four sections of the CFE Exam.

After your complete a section, you will receive an email from Prometric with your score report. To pass, you must accurately answer at least 75% of the questions in each section of the CFE Exam. You must pass each section of the exam within three attempts.

If you do not pass a section of the exam, you may retake that section. CFE Exam retake fees are $100 per failed section. You will receive instructions on how to pay exam retake fees with your exam results email. Within 3-5 business days of paying for retake fee(s), your exam access will be sent to you by email.

When you have passed all four sections of the CFE Exam, your CFE exam application, supporting documentation, exam results and proctoring sessions will be submitted to the Certification Committee for final review. You will receive notification of your certification status within three weeks of passing the CFE Exam. Upon certification, you will be emailed the option to request a complimentary CFE certificate. You should receive the certificate within 3-4 weeks if located in the U.S. and within 6-8 weeks if located internationally.