The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI)
Together, Empowering Tone at the Top

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPE)
For Certified Anti-Corruption Manager (CACM) and Certified Anti-Corruption Expert Manager (CACEM)

The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) requires all certified professionals to pursue continuing professional education (CPE) to sustain their competence, integrity, and readiness to address evolving corruption risks.

This policy outlines the annual CPE requirements and approved learning areas for Certified Anti-Corruption Managers (CACM) and Certified Anti-Corruption Expert Managers (CACEM).

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all AACI-certified professionals maintain a high level of professional competence in corruption prevention, deterrence, detection, and response; internal control; governance; and ethical leadership.
CPE strengthens professional credibility, supports measurable anti-corruption safeguards, and upholds The AACI Ten Principles of Fighting Corruption and its Standards on Fighting Corruption (SFCs).

2. General Requirement

All Certified Anti-Corruption Managers (CACM) and Certified Anti-Corruption Expert Managers (CACEM) must complete a minimum of 30 hours of CPE per calendar year, beginning January 1 following successful completion of the certification examination.

The CPE requirement is designed to maintain and enhance the certified professional’s competence and performance in areas related to:

• Corruption prevention, deterrence, detection, and response
• Internal control and governance
• Ethical leadership and integrity
• Financial management and decision-making
• Emerging technologies relevant to anti-corruption, including artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain

3. Areas of Learning

A broad range of subjects may qualify for CPE credit, provided they are directly related to the certified professional’s role or The AACI’s areas of focus.
Acceptable topics include but are not limited to:

Technology and innovation in corruption prevention, including:

4. Annual Core Requirements

Every certified professional must complete:

These 5 hours count toward the 30-hour annual total.

5. Eligible Learning Activities

CPE credit may be earned through programs and activities sponsored or recognized by:

• The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI)
• Approved institutions, including accredited universities, international professional bodies, recognized government training institutes, and The AACI’s authorized strategic partners worldwide
• Other professional or academic organizations offering relevant, verifiable programs

Examples of qualifying activities:

6. Carryforward of Excess Hours

If more than 30 hours are completed in a given year, up to 15 hours may be carried forward to the next year.

7. Verification and Documentation

Certified professionals are responsible for maintaining documentation supporting their CPE claims for at least three years.
Documentation must include:

8. CPE and Membership Compliance

To maintain active status and use the CACM or CACEM designation, certified professionals must:

Those who fail to comply will be designated inactive and must complete at least 60 hours of acceptable CPE within the next calendar year to regain active status.

9. Retired Status

Certified professionals who are fully retired and over the age of 60 may apply for Retired Status, which exempts them from CPE requirements while allowing continued association with The AACI.

10. Encouraged Learning Themes

To remain at the forefront of anti-corruption knowledge, The AACI encourages certified professionals to pursue CPE in the following emerging areas:

11. Approved Institutions (Clarification)

“Approved institutions” include:

Programs outside these categories must be pre-approved by The AACI to qualify for credit.

12. Review and Policy Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically by The AACI’s Standards and Certification Board to ensure alignment with technological, regulatory, and professional developments—particularly those involving AI, blockchain, and digital governance.

For AACI-approved courses and learning programs that count toward your annual CPE, please visit our Training and Events section.

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For more information, contact the Exam Unit.