The International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS®) provides an external certification process for those persons unable to attend the annual training conference or who otherwise cannot complete the standard training/certification cycle. The external process is available to qualified applicants who possess the necessary training and experience to become a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE).

Active duty law enforcement officers and others who qualify for membership in IACIS® may apply to enter the external certification process.

See the main External CFCE page for addition information concerning the difference between a "coach" and "monitor".

External CFCE Candidates assigned to a COACH: $775
External CFCE Candidates assigned to a MONITOR: $675

This depends on the a few factors. If the applicant attended the IACIS® CFCE Training conference within the past three years and the applicant selects the option to have a coach assigned (fees paid for coach as well), the applicant will be assigned a coach to provide guidance to the applicant throughout the process. The coach will not provide the answers to the problems, but will point the student in the direction necessary to find the correct answers and learn the underlying concept(s). If the applicant decides to have a coach assigned, the fee for the certification process will be $775.00 (U.S. Currency).

If the applicant has not attended the annual training conference within the past three (3) years, they do not qualify for a coach. Instead, a monitor will be assigned to review the applicant's examination results and findings. The monitor will assist the student through Problem #1 until the report is approved. Once the student starts Problem #2, the monitor will not provide any guidance to the applicant for the remainder of the process.

Applications are accepted from April 1, 2009 and ends on May 9, 2010. Coaches or monitors will be assigned to the student in mid-May of each calendar year. Once the student is assigned to a coach or monitor, the student will receive access to the IACIS® FTP where the materials can be downloaded. In addition, the student will receive the password for Problem #1 after the application is approved, fees are received, and the coach or monitor is assigned.

The entire certification process starts in May of the current year and ends on March 15 of the following year. In order to continue in the process, the applicant must meet ALL of the deadlines outlined above.

Download and complete the application. Documentation of training and experience in the field of computer forensics must accompany the application. The fee must also be submitted with the application.

Send the application and fee to:

IACIS®
P.O. Box 1728
Fairmont, WV 26555
United States of America

Normally reports and exhibits are sent to the coach or monitor via the IACIS® Website. The files should be compressed using a zip utility. You must write a clear report explaining what you have done, how you did it and what you found. You must include any "evidentiary" exhibits within the report document or attach them to the emailed report document. You should treat each problem as if it is a real examination.

Download the application below.

Yes, you can. One of the reasons IACIS® offers the External CFCE is for qualified law enforcement officers who cannot attend our annual training conference for budgetary reasons, travel restrictions, unavailability, and other reasons. Please note that this is a testing process, you must already possess the knowledge and skills to conduct forensic computer examinations following the IACIS® standards.

Additional Questions: If you have any additional questions regarding the course then please send an email to cfce@cops.org.

Send the application and fee to:
IACIS®
P.O. Box 1728
Fairmont, WV 26555
United States of America