Recertification

Active membership with the ACFE is required to maintain the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. In the event that a CFE lets their membership expire for one or more years, or wishes to reactivate their credential after switching to an alternate membership status, they must adhere to the Recertification Guidelines established by the ACFE’s Board of Regents.* 

The following chart summarizes the actions needed for each recertification scenario and is followed by a full description of the Recertification Guidelines.

Recertification Scenario Action Needed
Membership expired for 1–3 years 
 Complete 20 CPE credits, submit Recertification Application and pay fees
Membership expired for 3–5 years Complete 40 CPE credits, submit Recertification Application and pay fees OR reapply for and pass the CFE Exam
Membership expired for 5 or more years
 Reapply for and pass the CFE Exam
Returning to Active CFE membership from an alternate membership status (e.g., CFE-Retired, Inactive)
 Complete 20 CPE credits, submit PDF Recertification Application and pay fees (not eligible to recertify online)

Full Recertification Guidelines

A CFE whose membership has been expired for three consecutive years or less may be recertified in good standing by:

  1. Applying for and paying any recertification fees. You can submit your Recertification Application in one of the following ways:
    • Online: Log in to your account at ACFE.com and submit your application.
    • Email: Download the Recertification Application and email the completed form to CPE@ACFE.com for processing.
  2. Certifying the completion of 20 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits within the 12 months preceding the date of application for reinstatement. At least 10 CPE credits must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud and 2 must relate directly to ethics. 

A CFE whose membership has been expired for more than three, but not more than five, consecutive years has two options for recertification:

  1. Pass the CFE Exam and satisfy all of the educational, experience and testing requirements necessary for certification.
  2. Apply for recertification, pay any associated fees and certify the completion of 40 documented CPE credits within the 24 months preceding the date of application for recertification. At least 20 CPE credits must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud and 4 credits must relate directly to ethics. (Documentation of CPE earned must be submitted with the Recertification Application.) You can submit your Recertification Application in one of the following ways: 
    • Online: Log in to your account at ACFE.com and submit your application.
    • Email: Download the Recertification Application and email the completed form and supporting documentation to CPE@ACFE.com for processing. 

If your Recertification Application is canceled or denied, you will receive a refund for the recertification fee, which includes membership dues.

A CFE whose membership has been expired for more than five consecutive years may only be reinstated by passing the CFE Exam and satisfying all of the educational, experience and testing requirements necessary for certification. The process for members expired for more than five consecutive years is:

  1. Be an Associate member in good standing.
  2. Apply for the CFE Exam and submit all of the supporting documents.
  3. Prepare for the CFE Exam.
  4. Pass the CFE Exam.

*The Recertification Guidelines were implemented on August 26, 2008, and updated by the ACFE’s Board of Regents on June 12, 2011.