ACE Process
The ACE Certification consists of one multiple choice exam with both Knowledge Based and Practical Based components. There are no prerequisites. The exam is taken in a “On Your Own” format:
ACE On Your Own – The candidate takes an automated online exam at a time of their choosing after registering and receiving login credentials from AccessData. Details of the procedure are listed below.
NOTE: The ACE exam is available in both English and Spanish.
ACE On Your Own
- The candidate registers for ACE by completing the online registration form. (see the link to the form at the bottom of this section)
- The candidate will receive login credentials and instructions by email from AccessData.
- The candidate, in preparation for the exam, downloads an image file, creates and processes a case in FTK according to the instructions provided.
- The candidate then logs into the online exam and answers the questions based on the case which has been built.
NOTE: The ACE On Your Own option requires the candidate to have access to a computer with licensed copies of FTK Imager, FTK, Registry Viewer and PRTK. In addition, the exam is not FTK version specific and can be completed using either the 1.x or 3.x/4.x versions of FTK.
ACE Credential Maintenance
- ACE Credential Maintenance is required one year after the initial ACE certification. After the first ACE Maintenance session, the period will be every two years to maintain the ACE credential.
- Retaking the initial ACE certification exam can NOT be substituted for ACE Credential Maintenance. If the ACE certification expires the candidate must wait a period of six months before being permitted to take the initial ACE certification exam.
- ACE Credential Maintenance requires passing a practical examination; the examination can be taken online at a time of your choosing. Separate tests are available for FTK 3.x/4.x and FTK 1.x users.
- There is no longer an educational requirement for ACE Credential Maintenance.