About the CFE Exam

You must meet all the requirements to earn the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential, which includes passing the CFE Exam.

The CFE Exam is a significant undertaking, and you will most likely make a significant time commitment as you prepare for and take your exam. To ensure that you are as informed as possible about the exam process, the sections below will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the exam content, selecting the right format and scheduling the exam.

What is the CFE Exam?

The CFE Exam is a closed-book and closed-notes exam comprised of four sections, each containing 100 multiple choice questions. Exam takers have a two-hour time limit on each section. Each exam is generated from a master database; no two exams are exactly alike.

The exam will test your knowledge in the four major areas of fraud examination: Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes, Law, Investigation, and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence. These four areas correspond to the four sections of the Fraud Examiners Manual, which is the source of knowledge for all subject matter that appears on the CFE Exam. The CFE Exam Content Outline provides additional details on what you can expect.

Content of the CFE Exam

  • Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes

    This section tests your comprehension of the types of fraudulent financial transactions incurred in accounting records. In this section of the exam, you will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the following concepts:

    • Basic accounting and auditing theory
    • Fraud schemes
    • Internal controls to deter fraud
    • Other auditing and accounting matters
  • Law
    This section focuses on the statutes and common law principles involved in prosecuting fraudsters. It also ensures your familiarity with the many legal ramifications of conducting fraud examinations, including: 
    • Criminal and civil law
    • Rules of evidence
    • Rights of the accused and accuser
    • Expert witness matters
  • Investigations

    This section tests your understanding of the basic tools and techniques necessary to gather information and evidence when conducting a fraud examination and identifying perpetrators. It includes questions about:

    • Interviewing
    • Taking statements
    • Obtaining information from public records
    • Tracing illicit transactions
    • Evaluating deception
    • Report writing
  • Fraud Prevention and Deterrence

    This section examines your understanding of why people commit fraud and the ways to prevent it. Topics covered in this section include: 

    • Crime causation
    • White-collar crime
    • Occupational fraud
    • Fraud prevention
    • Fraud risk assessment
    • The ACFE Code of Professional Ethics 

Exam Format Options

To provide you with the testing experience that matches your personal preference, there are several formats to choose from when taking the CFE Exam. 

  1. In person at a CFE Exam Review Course: Attendees have the option of taking the exam onsite at an in-person course. Learn more about advanced preparation, application requirements and deadlines, as well as details for taking the CFE Exam onsite.
  2. In person at a Prometric testing center: Prometric operates the world’s largest network of computer-based assessment centers that provide convenient access to test takers.
  3. Online with a remote proctor: Through Prometric's ProProctor online platform, you can take the CFE Exam from the comfort of your own home without having to travel or test near other people.

Taking the Exam

Upon receiving approval of your CFE Exam Application, you can begin working your way through the scheduling process. Follow these steps if you are taking the exam at a test center or online. 

Step 1: Schedule your exam appointments through Prometric.

Upon receiving approval from the ACFE, you must schedule your exam appointments directly through Prometric. You will have 60 days to complete all four sections of the exam. We strongly recommend you schedule your exams at least 30 days ahead of time to secure the appointments of your choice.

  • Login to your Certification Portal by clicking on your approved exam application.
  • Click on the green “Activate Eligibility” button. Make note of your eligibility number. It will take you to the Prometric website.
  • Select the remote proctoring or test center scheduling link.
  • Enter your Prometric eligibility number (your ACFE member number) and the first four characters of your last name when prompted.
  • Schedule your first exam appointment.
  • Return to the Prometric website and repeat steps 3–5 for the other three exam sections.

Please make note of the reschedule/cancellation policy below to ensure you are not subject to any fees if you need to make changes to your appointments.

Step 2: Take the CFE Exam and receive your results.

Once you start a section of the exam, you must complete it in one sitting. You are not required to complete all four sections in one sitting. In fact, we recommend only taking a section or two at a time.  

After you complete a section and are satisfied with all your answers, select “End Exam.” Your exam will automatically submit. Within 24 hours of completing each exam section, you will receive an email from Prometric with your score report. 

Additional Information

  • Rescheduling or Canceling Exam Appointments

    The CFE Exam application fee includes one remote proctoring attempt for each exam section. If you choose to take your exams at a testing center, you will be charged an additional $10 fee for each exam section. The same is true for retakes — the cost of a remote proctored appointment is covered by the ACFE’s retake fee, but there will be an additional $10 charge if a testing center is used.

    If you need to make a change to your scheduled exam appointment, you may incur additional fees imposed by Prometric. Fees are based on the timing of an appointment change: 

    • 30+ days before your scheduled appointment: There is no charge for changing or cancelling an exam appointment 30 days or more before a scheduled appointment. 
    • 3-29 days before your scheduled appointment: Changes made between 3 and 29 days are subject to a $35 fee, paid directly to Prometric at the time of the appointment change. 
    • Less than three days before your scheduled appointment: You may not reschedule an exam less than three days prior to your appointment. If you fail to show up for an exam or cancel within three days of a scheduled appointment, you will be subject to a $50 rescheduling fee (paid directly to the ACFE) and forfeiture of an exam attempt. 
  • CFE Exam FAQs

    Still have questions? Please review a list of Frequently Asked Questions asked by previous exam applicants. 

    You can also contact a Member Services Representative by phone at +1 (512) 478-9000, emailing MemberServices@ACFE.com, or secure live chat Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. CT.

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