CFEs must obtain a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every 12-month period to stay current in their profession. CFEs are required to certify CPE compliance by the end of their anniversary month either (1) online or (2) by calling a Member Services Representative at (800) 245-3321 (USA & Canada only) or +1 (512) 478-9000. A CFE's anniversary month is the month membership is renewed each year.

2010 CPE Requirements
CFEs need to complete 20 hours of CPE per 12-month period. At least 10 of these must relate directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud. If a CFE has earned more than 20 CPE hours of CPE in 2009, they may carry forward up to 10 of these extra hours to meet their 2010 CPE requirements.

2011 CPE Requirements-New Requirement
The following CPE compliance change became effective January 1, 2010, and will be implemented starting with the 2011 CPE compliance period:

• CFE's will earn 20 hours of CPE per twelve month period.  At least 10 of these must related directly to the detection and deterrence of fraud and 2 hours must relate to directly to ethics.
• If a CFE has earned more than 20 CPE hours of CPE in 2010, they may carry forward up to 10 of these extra hours to meet their 2011 CPE requirements.

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

Additionally, certain courses may be counted toward both fraud-related and ethics-related CPE requirements. For example courses offered by the ACFE in the following areas are both fraud-related and ethics-related.

• Ethics for Fraud Examiners

• ACFE Code of Professional Ethics

The ACFE has clarified what is considered fraud-related CPE.  All ACFE courses are considered fraud-related. If CPE credits earned through another source falls within one of the following general categories, it is considered fraud-related under ACFE CPE guidelines.

• Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes

• Law Related to Fraud

• Investigation Techniques

• Fraud Prevention and Deterrence

For a full listing of specific fraud-related topics, visit the CPE section on Earning CPE Part 2: Acceptable Fields of Study.

New Online Ethics Courses

To address this new requirement we have created a series of online courses that are accessible online at the user’s convenience and provide instant grading and printable certificates of completion.

• Ethical Theory for Fraud Examiners

• Practical Ethics for Fraud Examiners