Assoc. Cert. Fraud Examiners (CFE) CPE Requirements

How to reach the regulator directly.

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
World Headquarters
The Gregor Building
716 West Avenue
Austin, TX 78701-2727

Tel: (800) 245-3321 (USA and Canada only)
Tel: (512) 478-9000
Fax: (512) 478-9297

Email: memberservices@ACFE.com

The regulator's own published rules and related resources.

ACFE: Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

The total continuing education hours required.

20 hours.

The detailed rules behind that total -- category minimums, ethics, and other conditions.

At least 10 of the 20 hours must be related directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud and 2 hours must relate to directly to ethics.

An unlimited amount of participant type CPE credits may be claimed each year.

Ethics:

Effective January 1, 2010: New Ethics Requirement: Starting with the 2011 CPE compliance period, 2 hours must relate to directly to ethics.

CPE activity that falls within one of the following categories will be considered ethics-related under ACFE's CPE guidelines:

• Regulatory Ethics
• Behavioral Ethics
• Professional Ethics

The ACFE accepts ethics training from other organizations provided the primary course topic is ethics or ethics-related. In general, courses that focus on the following topics will meet this requirement:

• Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Ethical Practice in Business
• Personal Ethics
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Corporate Ethics

In addition, courses with a primary topic that falls under one of the requirements of the Certified Fraud Examiners Code of Professional Ethics will be considered to meet this requirement. These categories include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Professionalism and Diligence in Performance of Duties
• Conflicts of Interest
• Integrity and Objectivity
• Professional Competence
• Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements
• Ethical Considerations in Reporting and Testifying
• Confidentiality

• Note From CeriFi CPEdge: The ACFE Board has confirmed that certain ethics courses can also be "fraud-related." In other words, fraud related ethics credits can be used to meet both the Ethics requirement and the annual Fraud requirement. If you completed an ethics course which is fraud related, you can edit the course so that it falls in the "Ethics (Fraud Related)" category. It will then be counted against both the Ethics requirement and the Fraud requirement. You will still need to earn a total of 20 credits in the annual period with 10 credits focused on Fraud.

Earning CPE: Acceptable Fields of Study

CFEs will need to determine if the CPE earn fits in the acceptable fields of study. There are 3 steps in determine of CPE earned would be accepted.

• Step 1: Determine if the CPE earned is fraud-related.
• Step 2: Determine if the CPE earned is ethics-related. New Requirement for 2011 CPE.
• Step 3: Determine if the CPE earned qualifies for non-fraud and non-ethics CPE.

NOTE: Ensure that the type of CPE credit you earn is accepted by the ACFE.

Step 1: Determine if the CPE earned is fraud-related.

All CPE credit earned through ACFE courses and educations events is considered fraud-related.

Additionally, if CPE credit is earned through another source falls within one of the following categories, it will be considered fraud-related under the ACFE CPE guidelines:

Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes

• Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting
• Asset Misappropriation/Embezzlement
• Financial Statement Fraud Schemes
• Bribery and Corruption
• Theft of Intellectual Property
• Financial Institution Fraud
• Check and Credit Card Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Securities Fraud
• Money Laundering
• Consumer Fraud
• Health Care Fraud
• Bankruptcy Fraud
• Tax Fraud
• Computer and Internet Fraud
• Public Sector/Government Fraud
• Contract and Procurement Fraud

Law Related to Fraud

• Individual Rights During Examinations
• Civil Fraud Actions
• The Law Related to Fraud
• Testifying as an Expert Witness
• Criminal Prosecutions for Fraud
• Basic Principles of Evidence

Investigation Techniques

• Analyzing Documents
• Interview Theory and Application
• Covert Examinations
• Sources of Information
• Accessing Information Online
• Data Analysis and Reporting Tools
• Computer Forensics
• Tracing Illicit Transactions
• Fraud Examination Reporting Standards

Fraud Prevention and Deterrence

• Theories of Crime Causation
• White-Collar Crime
• Organizational Crime
• Occupational Fraud
• Fraud Prevention Programs
• Fraud Risk Assessment
• Fraud Risk Management
• Corporate Governance
• Management’s, Directors' and Auditors’ Responsibilities Regarding Fraud
• Punishment and the Criminal Justice System

Step 2: Determine if the CPE credit is ethics-related.

The ACFE accepts ethics training from other organizations provided the primary course topic is ethics or ethics-related. In general, courses that focus on the following topics will meet this requirement:

• Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Ethical Practice in Business
• Personal Ethics
• Ethical Decision-making
• Corporate Ethics

Also, some courses may be counted toward both your fraud-related and your ethics-related CPE requirements. For example, courses offered by the ACFE in the following topical areas would be considered both fraud-related and ethics-related CPE.

• Ethics for Fraud Examiners
• ACFE Code of Professional Ethics

• Note From CeriFi CPEdge: The ACFE Board has confirmed that certain ethics courses can also be "fraud-related." In other words, fraud related ethics credits can be used to meet both the Ethics requirement and the annual Fraud requirement. If you completed an ethics course which is fraud related, you can edit the course so that it falls in the "Ethics (Fraud Related)" category. It will then be counted against both the Ethics requirement and the Fraud requirement. You will still need to earn a total of 20 credits in the annual period with 10 credits focused on Fraud.

Step 3: Determine if CPE credit is non-fraud and non-ethics-related.

If CPE credit does not fall within one of the subject areas listed above, it may be claimed as non-fraud and non-ethics-related credit.

The ACFE will accept CPE credit earned in the categories below as non-fraud and non-ethics-related CPE credit. These categories are the ones set forth by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) as appropriate for CPE credit:

• Accounting
• Accounting (Governmental)
• Auditing
• Auditing (Governmental)
• Administrative Practice
• Social Environment of Business
• Business Law
• Business Management and Organization
• Finance
• Management Advisory Services
• Marketing
• Communications
• Personal Development
• Personnel/HR
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Production
• Specialized Knowledge and Applications
• Statistics

Notes:

• For a more detailed description of each category, please visit NASBA's website (or refer to the NASBA resource summary page in CeriFi CPEdge).
• Non-Education activities such as normal job duties, fraud examination and report writing are not considered for CPE Credit.
• September 10, 2019: CeriFi CPEdge has confirmed with the ACFE, that while the "Taxes" field of study does not appear in the list of accepted fields of study above, it would be accepted by the ACFE as 'non-fraud / non-ethics' CPE.

How the reporting cycle is structured.

Effective January 1, 2008: The CPE reporting process is transitioning from calendar-year reporting to anniversary month reporting (refer to "Start Date" and "Reporting Date" below).

Prior to January 1, 2008: Annual, calendar-year based.

When a reporting cycle begins.

Effective January 1, 2009: Day after anniversary date.

• Reminder: The anniversary date is always the last day of the month and is the month you renew your membership.

Prior to January 1, 2009: January 1.

How completed credits are reported to the regulator.

To confirm your Annual ACFE CPE compliance you must log in to the Members Only area of ACFE.com using your user name and password. In the My Accounts page you will find instructions for reporting your compliance. Alternatively, you may call the ACFE to certify compliance over the phone.

The ACFE no longer requires reporting of specific CPE credit hours. You will be required to certify that you are in compliance with CPE requirements each year.

CPE records should not be sent to the ACFE unless specifically requested by the ACFE's staff. The ACFE does not maintain CPE records for members. CFEs are responsible for keeping track of their CPE and retaining for three years supporting documents for CPE credit they earn, such as proof of attendance and completion of courses.

Supporting documents for CPE credit earned include CPE certificates, letters of attendance or letters of completion. Paid invoices, course syllabi or Excel lists are not acceptable proof of completion. Generally CPE documentation should include:

• Name of attendee
• Course description
• Course sponsor name
• Number of CPE hours attained
• Date of course

The ACFE will not accept the following for CPE documentation:

• Registration forms
• Paid invoices
• Course syllabi
• PowerPoint presentation slides
• Excel lists

The renewal or reporting deadline.

CFEs are required to certify CPE compliance by the end of their anniversary month annually. (A CFE's anniversary month is the month membership is renewed each year.)

Effective January 1, 2008: Report your CPE Compliance for 2008 and 2009 in your anniversary month in 2009.

• During 2009, you will be required to earn a prorated number of CPE hours based on your anniversary month. Half of the prorated number of hours must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud. The CPE hours are prorated at 1.6 hours per month.
• During the 2008 transition period, all CFEs are required to complete 20 hours of CPE from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. At least 10 of these 20 hours must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud.
• CPE Compliance for the 20 hours of CPE completed in 2008 will be reported in 2009 anniversary month.

Prior to January 1, 2008: Membership renewal date (generally corresponds to date of initial certification).

→ Get monthly reminders before this deadline

What happens if the requirement is not met.

A random number of CFEs are selected for audit each year by the ACFE's CPE Compliance Team. When selected for an audit of CPE records, CFEs will need to provide the ACFE Compliance Team, the CPE documentation for the requested compliance year. Any member who is unable to demonstrate CPE compliance, or who is found to have made a false certification, may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the ACFE.

Reduced or prorated requirements for a first renewal.

A new CFE is exempt from CPE requirements from the day they become certified through their next anniversary month. Therefore, each new CFE will have a different exemption timeframe based on when they became certified and when their anniversary month occurs. For example:

• Mark became a CFE in July 2015. His anniversary month is October. Mark is exempt for the remainder of the 2015 CPE October anniversary year which ends in his anniversary month of October 2015. Mark’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2016 CPE year and will run between November 2015 and October 2016, based on his October anniversary month.
• Ralph became a CFE in July 2018. His anniversary month is October. Ralph is exempt for the remainder of the 2018 CPE October anniversary year which ends in his anniversary month of October 2018. Ralph’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2019 CPE year and will run between November 2018 and October 2019, based on his October anniversary month.
• Sally became a CFE in January 2016. Her anniversary month is July. Sally is exempt for the remainder of the 2016 CPE July anniversary year which ends on her anniversary month of July 2016. Sally’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2017 CPE year and will run between August 2016 and July 2017, based on her July anniversary month.
• Jennifer became a CFE in January 2019. Her anniversary month is July. Jennifer is exempt for the remainder of the 2019 CPE July anniversary year which ends on her anniversary month of July 2019. Jennifer’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2020 CPE year and will run between August 2019 and July 2020, based on her July anniversary month.
• Bob became a CFE in December 2015. His anniversary month is November. Bob is exempt for the remainder of the 2016 CPE November anniversary year which ends on his anniversary month of November 2016. Bob’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2017 CPE year and will run between December 2016 and November 2017, based on his November anniversary month.
• Clara became a CFE in December 2018. Her anniversary month is November. Clara is exempt for the remainder of the 2019 CPE November anniversary year which ends on her anniversary month of November 2019. Clara’s first reporting period to earn CPE will be the 2020 CPE year and will run between December 2019 and November 2020, based on her November anniversary month.

Who may be excused from all or part of this requirement.

Extensions:

CFEs may request a 30-day extensions online. Visit the ACFE website to request this extension.

Additional extensions for CPE compliance may be granted for extenuating circumstances. Circumstances that may qualify for an extension include loss of employment and hospitalization. To apply for an extension, a written request may be sent to the ACFE citing the special circumstances. Request may be sent by email to cpe@ACFE.com.

Member Status and CPE:
All of the following membership status options are available to ACFE members. Current requirements to reactivate your membership include earning a minimum of 20 CPE credits (10 of which are fraud-related) in the last 12 months prior to reactivation. All requirements under each status are subject to change.

If you would like to request a change in your Membership status, please contact the ACFE.

Retired Status:
If you are fully retired from fraud-related work in a professional capacity and a member in good standing you may qualify for retired status. You may not solicit or perform any paid employment or consulting services related to fraud. Retired members shall use the credential "CFE-Retired". Retired members are not required to maintain CPE requirements, but retain full membership benefits including receipt of publications and discounts on ACFE products and training events. The ACFE will remove your work contact information from the membership database and all correspondence will be sent to your home address.

Inactive Status:
If you are temporarily not involved in a fraud-related field, but wish to remain abreast of current events and intend to reactivate your CFE credential, you may transfer to inactive status. While you are inactive you retain membership benefits; however, you cannot use the CFE credential and are not required to maintain CPE requirements.

Unemployed Status:
If you become unemployed and are actively job searching, please send notification by mail or email to the ACFE Membership Department explaining the nature and dates of your circumstances. If your request to transfer to unemployed status is approved, you may continue to use the CFE credential; however, you are not required to maintain CPE requirements. Upon your next membership renewal you will be placed back into active CFE status and will need to submit a new request should you remain unemployed. Unemployed membership status is an electronic status which automatically opts you in to receive Fraud Magazine and other ACFE provided resources electronically.

Reactivation:
Current requirements to reactivate your CFE from CFE-Retired, Inactive, or Unemployed status include earning a minimum of 20 CPE credits (10 of which must be fraud-related) in the twelve months prior to reactivation and completing an application for resubmission. These requirements are subject to change. To obtain a CFE Reactivation application contact the ACFE.

Nonpayment of Dues for Three Consecutive Years or Less:
A Certified Fraud Examiner whose membership has been expired for nonpayment of dues for three consecutive years or less may be reinstated as a CFE in good standing by applying for reinstatement to the ACFE. This includes paying any required reactivation or application fees and by certifying that he or she has completed sufficient CPE within 12 months prior to applying for reactivation. Visit www.ACFE.com/Recertification for more information.

Whether unused credits can apply to the next period.

Effective January 1, 2008: You may carry over 10 hours of CPE every 12 months - hours earned before January 1, 2008 are not eligible for carry over.

• Example: If a CFE has earned more than 20 hours of CPE in 2010, they may carry forward up to 10 of these extra hours to meet their 2011 CPE requirements.
• February 22, 2017: Notes From CeriFi CPEdge: The ACFE Board has confirmed that carryover credits maintain their credit characteristics. For example, if a CFE earns excess fraud credits in one year, the CFE can carry over the excess fraud credits and apply them to the next year's Fraud requirement. Likewise, if a CFE earns excess ethics credits in one year, the CFE can carry over the excess ethics credits and apply them to the next year's Ethics requirement.
• The ACFE Board has confirmed that carryover credits may only be applied to the next immediate CE period. They may not be carried forward to subsequent periods.

Prior to January 1, 2008: Not permitted.

→ CE Tracking calculates carryover for you

Rule changes the regulator has finalized, with effective dates.

Refer to the specific sections above for more details on any of the items noted below.

Breakdown of Specific Requirements
Effective January 1, 2010: New Ethics Requirement: Starting with the 2011 CPE compliance period, at least 10 of the 20 hours must be related directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud and 2 hours must relate to directly to ethics. CPE activity that falls within one of the following categories will be considered ethics-related under ACFE's CPE guidelines:

• Regulatory Ethics
• Behavioral Ethics
• Professional Ethics

Cycling Period:
Effective January 1, 2008: The CPE reporting process is transitioning from calendar-year reporting to anniversary month reporting (refer to "Start Date" and "Reporting Date" below).

Start Date:
Effective January 1, 2009: Day after anniversary date. Reminder: The anniversary month is the month you renew your membership.

Reporting Date:
Effective January 1, 2008: Report your CPE Compliance for 2008 and 2009 in your anniversary month in 2009. Reminder: Your anniversary month is the month you renew your membership.

• During 2009, you will be required to earn a prorated number of CPE hours based on your anniversary month. Half of the prorated number of hours must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud. The CPE hours are prorated at 1.6 hours per month.
• During the 2008 transition period, all CFEs are required to complete 20 hours of CPE from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. At least 10 of these 20 hours must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud.
• CPE Compliance for the 20 hours of CPE completed in 2008 will be reported in 2009 anniversary month.

Carryover Credit:
Effective January 1, 2008: You may carry over 10 hours of CPE every 12 months - hours earned before January 1, 2008 are not eligible for carry over.