Short answer: the CFE Exam application fee is US$480, ACFE membership is required (roughly US$195 to 225 a year), and study material is extra. The minimum is therefore about US$675 to 705 before study material, and a typical total including the ACFE prep course is about US$1,575 to 1,805. A failed section costs US$110 to retake. Confirm all prices on acfe.com, because they change.
What you pay
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ACFE membership | about US$195-225 a year | Required to earn the CFE; the amount depends on membership type |
| CFE Exam application fee | US$480 | Covers the first attempt at each of the three sections |
| ACFE CFE Exam Prep Course | roughly US$900-1,100 | Sold separately; optional but widely used |
| Retake | US$110 per failed section | Up to five attempts per section |
| Annual upkeep | membership dues plus 20 CPE credits a year | Needed to keep the credential |
Worked totals
- Self-study route: membership (about US$195-225) + application fee (US$480) = about US$675-705, plus whatever study material you choose, for example practice questions.
- With the ACFE prep course: add roughly US$900-1,100 = about US$1,575-1,805.
- One failed section: add US$110 for the retake.
These are estimates from the ACFE's published fees as we last checked them; membership dues vary by category and the prep course comes in different packages.
What the application fee does and does not cover
The fee covers the exam only, one attempt per section. It does not include study material. The ACFE's own prep course, review courses and the Fraud Examiners Manual are sold separately. You also need enough qualifying points for education and experience under the ACFE points system before your application is approved.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Check whether your employer pays for membership, the exam or CPE; many do for fraud, audit and compliance roles.
- Study efficiently: sections are booked separately, so you can take them one at a time and avoid paying for retakes through poor preparation.
- Use practice questions to find weak areas before you pay for an attempt.
- Plan the 60-day window: it opens when you are approved and covers all three sections, so book study time before you apply.
Cost of keeping the CFE
After you pass, you keep the credential with active ACFE membership and 20 CPE credits a year. Many CPE credits can be earned through ACFE events, webinars, work-related training and your own writing or teaching; see CFE renewal.