Built for the new three-section CFE exam (June 2026)
On 2 June 2026 the ACFE replaced the four-section CFE exam with three sections: Fraud Schemes and Financial Crimes (120 questions), Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues (120) and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence (70). Our CFE questions and section scores follow the new structure. Much older prep material still uses the old four sections.
What is CFE?
CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) is the credential of the ACFE, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the world's largest anti-fraud organisation. It shows you can prevent, detect and investigate fraud, from employee theft and corruption to financial statement fraud and cyber-enabled scams. On 2 June 2026 the ACFE replaced the old four-section exam with three sections: Fraud Schemes and Financial Crimes, Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues, and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence.
Who is it for?
- Internal and external auditors who want to specialise in fraud
- Fraud investigators in companies, banks, insurers and public bodies
- Forensic accountants and consultants
- Compliance and financial crime staff who handle fraud alongside AML
- Law enforcement, regulators and lawyers working on fraud cases
Eligibility
- Active ACFE membership (only members can earn the CFE)
- Enough qualifying points under the ACFE points system, based on education and professional experience; use the ACFE eligibility calculator
- An approved CFE Exam application with work history, proof of education and professional references
Exam format
| Fraud Schemes and Financial Crimes | 120 questions, 2.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues | 120 questions, 2.5 hours |
| Fraud Prevention and Deterrence | 70 questions, 1.5 hours |
| Pass mark | 75% correct in each section |
| Delivery | Live proctored: Prometric test centre or remotely through Prometric ProProctor |
| Window | 60 days from eligibility to take all sections; each section is scheduled separately |
| Results | Preliminary score report by email, usually within an hour |
Exam domains
| Fraud Schemes and Financial Crimes | ~39% |
|---|---|
| Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues | ~39% |
| Fraud Prevention and Deterrence | ~22% |
Cost in 2026
| CFE Exam application fee | US$480 (covers the first attempt at each section) |
|---|---|
| Retake | US$110 per failed section |
| ACFE membership | annual dues, about US$195–225 depending on membership type (confirm on acfe.com) |
| ACFE CFE Exam Prep Course | sold separately; packages roughly US$900–1,100 (confirm on acfe.com) |
Included: The application fee covers the exam only. Study material (the ACFE CFE Exam Prep Course, review courses and the Fraud Examiners Manual) is sold separately.
Prices from ACFE, in US dollars, checked November 2026. Prices change and can differ by region; confirm on the official site before you buy.
How to register, step by step
- Join the ACFE.
- Check your qualifying points with the ACFE eligibility calculator.
- Submit the CFE Exam application and pay the application fee.
- Once approved, you have a 60-day window: schedule each section with Prometric (test centre or online).
- Pass all three sections with at least 75% each.
- Complete the remaining credential requirements and receive your CFE; keep it with 20 CPE credits a year and active membership.
Retakes: Up to five attempts per section. No wait for attempts one to three; 30 days before attempts four and five. Each retake costs US$110. Passed sections stay valid for five years; results from the old four-section exam carry over to the matching new section.
CFE questions people ask
How much does the CFE cost in total?
The CFE Exam application fee is US$480 and covers the first attempt at each of the three sections. ACFE membership is required and costs about US$195 to 225 a year depending on type, so the minimum is roughly US$675 to 705. The ACFE CFE Exam Prep Course is sold separately at roughly US$900 to 1,100, which brings a typical total to about US$1,575 to 1,805. A retake costs US$110 per failed section. Confirm all prices on acfe.com.
What is the CFE pass rate?
We have not found an official pass rate from the ACFE for the new three-section exam. What is fixed: you need 75% correct in each section, you get up to five attempts per section, and passed sections stay valid for five years. Preliminary results usually arrive by email within about an hour.
Do I have to take all three CFE sections at once?
No. Each section is scheduled and passed on its own, within the 60-day window that opens when you are approved, and most candidates take them one at a time. The three sections have 120, 120 and 70 questions.
Can I retake just the section I failed?
Yes. A retake is US$110 per failed section. You can attempt each section up to five times; there is no waiting period for attempts one to three and a 30-day wait before attempts four and five.
Official links
Next steps after CFE
- Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS): Covers fraud together with money laundering, sanctions, corruption, cyber and tax. A good second credential if your role goes beyond fraud.
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS): The main AML credential. Fraud investigators in banks often add it because fraud proceeds end up being laundered.
Preparing for CFE
Read our complete CFE preparation guide, see what the syllabus and modules cover, and how renewal works. Then test yourself: our CFE bank has 0 exam-style questions with explanations.
Find out where you stand
Free 10-question CFE test, scored by exam domain. No account needed.
Independent guide, not affiliated with ACFE. Facts checked November 2026; always confirm on the official website. How we check facts.