ISFCE - Certified Computer Examiner

The initial CCE process consists of a proctored online multiple choice question and answer examination, the forensic examination of a floppy diskette, the forensic examination of a CDR disk and the forensic examination of an image of a hard disk drive . An 80% or better average score is required to complete the process. Once the online examination has been completed, the applicant can then begin the forensic examination of the test media. The forensic examinations are designed to test the forensic knowledge and skills of the examiner. The examiner must have the appropriate tools. See Software Necessary for more information.

The primary purpose of this certification is to measure if the applicant understands and uses sound evidence handling and storage procedures and follows sound forensic examinations procedures when conducting examinations. There are reasonable technical issues that must be resolved in order to recover the evidentiary data. However, most of the grade is based upon following sound evidence handling and storage procedures and following sound examination procedures, not simply recovering the data. An 80% total average score will be required to obtain the Certified Computer Examiner(CCE) ® certification. Do not assume that we know your standard operating procedures. Your grade will be based solely upon what you have written in your reports and the exhibits that you provide.

The fee for taking the entire process is $395. See the Training and or Experience Necessary page for more information. A proctoring fee may be charged (and may vary) for the initial online test, according to who administers the proctored test. Authorized testing centers will not charge a proctoring fee.

If you wish to be notified of new information about the Certified Computer Examiner process as it becomes available, you can subscribe to the public CCE list server. Just Click Here to subscribe.

There is a 90 day time limit to complete the CCE process. Please see our policy on time limits and extension requests for more information.

We recognize that there may be differences of "expert" opinion about technical issues. A number of recognized computer forensic experts have thoroughly tested and vetted the CCE problems. We feel that the technical issues are clearly laid out, they are practical and are issues that a competent examiner should be able to discover and report. However, there is an appeal process for the CCE problems and the granting of extensions. The appeals board is impartial and will thoroughly examine all appeals by applicants.

** No Criminal record-

Convictions for minor criminal offenses may be allowed, but will be evaluated on a case by case basis. However, we recommend, even if you have a minor conviction, that you do not apply for the CCE. Even in the rare instance where  we accept the applicant into the CCE process and they successfully complete the process, any conviction could bring an examiner's credibility into issue when the examiner testifies in court.

The CCE is becoming a valuable credential for forensic computer examiners. We have found a number of individuals who are stating that they are Certified Computer Examiners (CCE), even though they have not been credentialed by the ISFCE certifying board. If you are going to use a CCE certified examiner in your case, beware that there are examiners whose credibility could be successfully challenged, if they misstate their CCE credentials.

All CCE certified individuals will have a certification number. If your examiner's name is not on the list on this site, get their certification number and name and provide it to us. We will verify if they are CCE certified individuals. If you are making an official inquiry about the CCE certification, please use the contact form.

We regularly conduct pro-active investigations to help keep the integrity of the CCE secure. You can help by reporting suspected or unauthorized use  of the CCE designation.