Credential type: certification examination · verified on the issuer's site September 20, 2026 issuer page
Retired exam
ACFE retired the four-section CFE Exam on 2026-06-02. Per the issuer's equivalency chart, the former Law and Investigation sections together map to the new 'Fraud Investigations and Legal Issues' section; credit transfers only if BOTH old sections were passed.
No direct replacement is named in the reviewed official sources.
The CFE-Law exam, administered by the ACFE, covered legal elements of fraud, criminal and civil law, rights of suspects, evidence, and bankruptcy. This exam is officially retired as of 2026-06-02. The ACFE has not named a successor exam. Candidates seeking the CFE credential should consult the official ACFE website for the most current certification requirements and examination paths to ensure they are following the latest professional standards for the industry.
This exam was intended for professionals pursuing the Certified Fraud Examiner credential. It required knowledge of legal frameworks, evidence handling, and civil and criminal procedures relevant to fraud investigation. Candidates should verify current requirements with the ACFE.
Because this exam is retired and has no successor, do not prepare for this specific content. Focus on current ACFE certification requirements instead. Review the official ACFE certification page to understand the updated path to the CFE credential. Any previous study of legal elements or evidence remains useful for general professional knowledge, but you must align your current efforts with the latest ACFE guidance to maintain compliance with current certification standards.
This domain covered the specific legal definitions and various components required to establish fraud in a wide range of legal contexts, ensuring that investigators understood the principles necessary for identifying fraudulent activities within their professional practice.
This domain addressed the differences between criminal and civil legal systems and their specific application to fraud cases, providing candidates with the knowledge to navigate the distinct procedural requirements and burdens of proof associated with each legal path.
This domain focused on the legal protections and rights afforded to suspects during investigations and subsequent legal proceedings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical standards and adhering to constitutional requirements when conducting interviews or gathering information from potential subjects.
This domain covered the rules and procedures for collecting, handling, and presenting evidence in a formal legal setting, ensuring that all gathered materials met the necessary standards for admissibility and integrity throughout the entire investigative and judicial process.
This domain examined the intersection of fraud with contract law and bankruptcy proceedings, helping professionals identify how fraudulent misrepresentation can manifest within contractual agreements and the specific legal challenges that arise during the administration of bankruptcy cases.
The retired CFE-Law exam consisted of exactly 125 questions. These questions were designed to test the candidate's understanding of legal principles related to fraud investigation, though this exam is no longer available for registration or completion by any certification candidates.
A 75% passing score was required for this exam. This percentage represented the standard threshold for demonstrating proficiency in the legal concepts covered, but please note that this requirement is no longer applicable as the exam has been officially retired by the ACFE.
The exam had a duration of 135 minutes. This time limit was established to allow candidates sufficient opportunity to answer all questions within the allotted period, though this duration is no longer relevant due to the retirement of the CFE-Law examination.
No, the ACFE has not named a successor to the retired CFE-Law exam. Please consult the official ACFE website for the most current certification information and to understand the updated requirements for obtaining your professional credential in the field of fraud examination.
Verified 2026-08-30
This editorial was constructed using official ACFE exam documentation and verified facts regarding the retirement of the CFE-Law exam, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and consistent with the official guidance provided by the ACFE organization.