Missouri DHE · POST Approved for CLEE · NICCS aligned · 100+ CE credits
Associate Certified Professional Criminal Investigator (A|CPCI)
Elevate Your Expertise and Lead the Way in Criminal Investigations.
- 100+
- Hours
- 100
- CPE credits
- Lifetime
- Access
- 1 Year
- Exam License
- FBI
- DHS
- FedEx
- Citi
- Mossberg
- DEA
- DoD
- 3-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Full Lifetime Access
- 1 Year Exam License
- Official Study Manual
- Official Online Training
- Official Prep Review Quizzes
or pay over time with Affirm · Sezzle
Choose your enrollment path
Self-pay, military/government funding, or employer sponsorship — we'll take you to the right option.
State & Federal Regulatory Approvals
Missouri DHEWD
State-certified to operate under 6 CSR 10-5.010
Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development
NICCS Education & Training Catalog
Listed training provider, NICCS Education & Training Catalog
Mapped to NIST NICE framework · operated by CISA
A board-issued credential, recognized where it counts
Board certification programs: Students must submit all course quizzes, score 70% or better on all sections of the course and obtain a 70% or better on the final online examination, and submit proof eligibility up completion of your exam application. All fees must be paid in full. Upon successful completion of your program, the McAfee Institute will issue your board certification. Students who successfully complete the program before meeting the eligibility will be put into a holding pattern until the eligibility is met at which time the credentials will be issued.
Completion of training does not guarantee employment, promotion, security clearance eligibility, or acceptance by any agency or third party.
Built for those entering the field
Designed for aspiring professionals entering the field. No prior work experience required — eligibility is reviewed at enrollment.
This course is perfect for
Aspiring criminal investigators
Pursuing a role in law enforcement, private investigations, or corporate security.
Students and recent graduates
Criminal justice, criminology, or pre-law programs.
Career changers
Moving into investigations from military, security, or adjacent fields.
Junior investigators
Building a formal foundation in modern investigative tradecraft.
About this Course
Comprehensive criminal investigation certification covering crime scene investigation, evidence collection, interview techniques, and case management. Essential training for law enforcement and private investigators.
The Associate Certified Professional Criminal Investigator (A|CPCI) program by McAfee Institute offers advanced training across multiple investigative domains, including cybercrime, terrorism, fraud, and homicide. This credential provides law enforcement, security professionals, and corporate investigators with the essential skills to conduct comprehensive investigations, gather critical evidence, and handle complex cases.
Our video-based tutorials, interactive labs, and mentorship by seasoned professionals equip graduates with the knowledge to manage cases end-to-end and uphold the highest standards in criminal investigations. By completing this program, you position yourself as an industry-recognized expert in criminal investigations.
Everything you need to certify
One enrollment includes the full course library, the official manual, the proctored exam license, and your board credential on completion.
- Official study manual
- Prep review quizzes
- Online training program
- Exam license (1 year)
- 100+ hours of instruction
- Mobile & desktop access
- Board certification (digital + physical)
- 100 CPE / CEU credits
- Closed captions
Two ways to fund your certification.
Self-pay · Employer-funded
Pay once. Lifetime access included.
3-day money-back guarantee
Interest-free via Affirm or Sezzle. 6–12 month plans available.
Need financial help? — available for self-paying students demonstrating financial need.
Eligibility & requirements
McAfee Institute trains military, law enforcement, and investigative professionals. Eligibility reflects that. Verification is the reason the credential carries weight in the field.
Education & experience
Any one of the qualifying paths below. Experience must be in investigations, law enforcement, criminal justice, military, or similar fields with direct criminal investigation or intelligence responsibilities.
Path A Bachelor's or higher + 0 years experience
Relevant fields include investigations, law enforcement, criminal justice, military, and/or another similar field with direct criminal investigation and/or intelligence responsibilities.
Criminal background & professional suitability
Because McAfee Institute trains military, law enforcement, and investigative professionals, eligibility requires conduct consistent with positions of public trust. You are not eligible to enroll or earn certification if you:
- 01
Any felony
Have been convicted of any felony, or are currently charged with (pending) any felony.
- 02
Have been convicted of, pled guilty/no contest to, or are currently charged with any offense involving
- · Child exploitation or crimes against children (including child sexual abuse, child pornography-related offenses, child endangerment)
- · Sex offenses (including rape/sexual assault and related offenses)
- · Human trafficking
- · Homicide / attempted homicide
- · Kidnapping/abduction
- · Terrorism-related offenses
- 03
Have a misdemeanor conviction (or pending charge) involving
- Violence or threats of violence — including domestic violence, assault, stalking
- Dishonesty or breach of trust — including fraud, theft, embezzlement, identity theft, impersonation, falsifying reports/statements
International enrollment
McAfee Institute is a U.S.-based institution serving a primarily U.S. professional audience. International enrollments may be subject to additional review, identity verification, professional affiliation verification, and compliance screening. Applicants located in certain countries or regions, or associated with restricted persons or entities under U.S. law, may be ineligible for enrollment.
- 3-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Full Lifetime Access
- 1 Year Exam License
- Official Study Manual
- Official Online Training
- Official Prep Review Quizzes
or pay over time with Affirm · Sezzle
Read the full eligibility and conduct policyDisclosure & verification
Applicants must disclose criminal history as requested during enrollment. McAfee Institute may verify eligibility through documentation and/or a background check when required by a program component, partner environment, exam vendor, or when reasonably necessary to protect program integrity. Disclosures are required to the extent permitted by applicable law.
False information
Any material falsification or omission is grounds for denial of admission, removal from the program, and/or denial of certification.
No guarantee of outcome
Completion of training does not guarantee employment, promotion, security clearance eligibility, or acceptance by any agency or third party.
More Than Just Certifications
Join a comprehensive professional development platform designed exclusively for law enforcement, intelligence, and investigation professionals.
Active Community
Engage with verified professionals in law enforcement and intelligence
Exclusive Jobs
Access career opportunities not listed elsewhere
CPE Tracking
Automatic continuing professional education credit management
Expert Network
Connect with federal agents and industry leaders
Communities
Join private discussion groups with peers
Resources
Articles, whitepapers, tools and more
Joshua A. McAfee · Founder & CEO, McAfee Institute
15 years building credentials for the professionals who actually do the work. CAIIE was developed alongside practitioners from federal, state, and corporate investigation teams.
Enrollment, examination, and policy FAQs
- Our certifications are trusted by more than 4,500 employers, including government agencies, law enforcement departments, intelligence units, and private-sector organizations. Programs are recognized by POST (various states), DoD COOL & CA, NICCS, and the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.
Not sure if this is the right credential?
Talk to an advisor about eligibility, fit, and funding paths.