CFE Certification
The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential is awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is designed for people who prevent, detect or investigate fraud. The credential covers financial transactions, fraud schemes, investigation methods, legal issues and fraud prevention.
Professionals from accounting, auditing, compliance, law enforcement, banking and risk management pursue the CFE credential. It can help them show that they understand the main areas of fraud examination. However, completing a course does not automatically make someone a CFE.
Candidates must become ACFE Associate Members, meet the eligibility rules and pass all three exam sections. They must also meet ACFE’s work-experience and ethics requirements before receiving the credential.
NYTCC offers CFE certification training online for candidates who want guided lessons and a clear study plan. ACFE alone awards the CFE credential.
Why Choose CFE Certification Training?
The CFE Exam combines financial, investigative and legal subjects. Candidates may understand one area well but have less experience in another. For example, an auditor may need more help with interviewing methods. An investigator may need extra practice with accounting principles.
CFE certification training breaks the syllabus into smaller lessons. Candidates can plan their study, ask questions, practice key concepts and find weak topics before scheduling the exam.
Good preparation builds understanding instead of relying only on memorization. Candidates learn why an answer is correct and how the concept may apply at work.
Course Structure
Everything you need to know about the curriculum and outcomes.
Why Choose Us?
NYTCC provides online CFE exam preparation based on the current three-section structure. Lessons are arranged by topic so candidates can see what they have completed and what still needs attention.
Instructor guidance helps explain difficult concepts in plain language. Topic reviews, original practice questions and mock assessments allow candidates to check their knowledge and work on timing. These study questions are not actual ACFE Exam questions.
Online delivery gives working professionals more flexibility when planning their study.
NYTCC does not award the credential or decide ACFE eligibility.
CFE Certification Exam Format
| Exam Section | Duration |
| Fraud Schemes & Financial Crimes | 2.5 Hours |
| Fraud Investigations & Legal Issues | 2.5 Hours |
| Fraud Prevention & Deterrence | 1.5 Hours |
| Passing Score per Section | 75% (no partial credit for unanswered questions) |
CFE Certification Examination Cost
The CFE exam application fee is $480, which covers your first attempt across all exam sections. Should a retake be necessary, exam retake fees are $110 per failed section, with invoices typically issued within 1 to 3 days of your exam appointment. Please note that additional fees may apply for rescheduling exams, and payment for any failed sections is required before retake eligibility is officially reinstated.
Domains of CFE Certification
Knowledge weightage as per official certification standards.
| Exam Domain | Key Focus Area |
| Fraud Schemes & Financial Crimes | Covers accounting concepts, financial statement fraud, asset misappropriation, corruption, financial institution fraud, and techniques used to identify fraud schemes. |
| Fraud Investigations & Legal Issues | Focuses on fraud examination methods, digital investigations, data analysis, evidence collection, asset tracing, legal procedures, and investigation reporting. |
| Fraud Prevention & Deterrence | Explores criminology, professional ethics, fraud risk management, corporate governance, internal controls, and strategies for preventing occupational fraud. |
Career Post CFE Certification
Fraud-related skills are used in private companies, accounting firms, financial institutions, consulting businesses and government agencies. The CFE credential may support roles that involve detecting misconduct, reviewing controls or conducting investigations.
Possible career paths include:
- Fraud Examiner
- Fraud Investigator
- Forensic Accountant
- Internal or External Auditor
- Compliance and Ethics Officer
- Fraud Risk Analyst
- Financial Crime Investigator
- Corporate Security Specialist
- Loss-Prevention Specialist
- Litigation-Support Consultant
- Fraud Prevention Manager
The credential does not guarantee employment. Employers may also require experience, education or industry knowledge.
Average Salary
CFE earnings vary by country, industry, education, experience, job function and level of responsibility. There is no single salary that applies to every credential holder.
The ACFE Compensation Guide reported a 32% pay premium for CFEs compared with non-certified colleagues. CFEs with a four-year degree reported earning about $101,000 per year. Median compensation for CFEs with a graduate degree was $112,000.
These are survey findings, not guaranteed salaries. Candidates should also review pay data for their location and intended role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFE certification?
The Certified Fraud Examiner credential recognizes knowledge of fraud prevention, detection, investigation and deterrence. Candidates must meet ACFE requirements and pass all exam sections.
Who awards the CFE credential?
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners awards the credential. NYTCC provides independent CFE exam preparation but does not issue the certification.
What are the CFE certification requirements?
Candidates need ACFE Associate Membership and 40 points to take the exam. Certification requires 50 points, two years of qualifying experience, passing results and acceptance of the ACFE Code of Professional Ethics.
How many sections are in the CFE Exam?
The current exam has three sections: Fraud Schemes and Financial Crimes, Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues, and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence.
How many questions are on the CFE Exam?
The exam has 310 questions. The first two sections have 120 questions each, while the third has 70 questions.
What is the CFE Exam passing score?
Candidates must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly in each section.
How much does the CFE Exam cost?
The $480 application fee includes the first attempt at each section. Membership, training, study materials, rescheduling and retakes cost extra.
Is the CFE Exam available online and in other languages?
Remote testing is available through Prometric’s live-proctored platform. The current CFE Exam is offered only in English.
What happens if I fail a CFE Exam section?
A failed section can be retaken for $110. Candidates have five attempts per section, with a 30-day wait before attempts four and five.
How do CFEs maintain their credentials?
CFEs must maintain their required status and complete 20 CPE credits during each annual compliance period. At least 10 must be fraud-related, and two must relate to ethics.
Ready to CFE Certification?
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.