CAMS vs AFC Risk Manager: which ACAMS certification is right for you?
CAMS is the foundation. The AFC Risk Manager certification is an advanced credential for senior staff who own financial crime risk assessments and programs, and it requires 60 credits or an active CAMS. Take CAMS first, then Risk Manager when you lead the program.
CAMS vs AFC Risk Manager at a glance
| CAMS | AFC Risk Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | CAMS Certification Exam (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) | ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Exam (formerly Advanced CAMS-RM) |
| Questions | 120 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions | 90 multiple-choice questions (knowledge and scenario-based) |
| Time | 3.5 hours (210 minutes) | 3 hours |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 75 | Set by ACAMS (see the Candidate Handbook) |
| Format | Closed book, computer-based | Closed book, computer-based |
| Cost | US$2,095 private sector / US$1,595 public sector package (study materials + exam); ACAMS membership required | US$2,195 private sector / US$1,695 public sector package; eligibility: 60 credits or an active CAMS |
| Languages | Arabic, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese (the updated CAMS program launched in English first, with translations rolling out in 2026) | English (check ACAMS for other languages) |
| Where | Pearson VUE (test center or online proctored) | Pearson VUE (test center or online proctored) |
| Level | Specialist | Advanced |
What each exam covers
CAMS
- Understanding financial crime risks and methods
- Global AFC frameworks, governance and regulations
- Building an AFC compliance program
- Tools and technologies to fight financial crime
AFC Risk Manager
- Navigating financial crime risks and threats
- Conducting a financial crime risk assessment
- Building a sustainable AFC risk management program
- Governance, metrics and reporting
- AFC risk management case studies
Which should you take?
CAMS is the foundation. The AFC Risk Manager certification is an advanced credential for senior staff who own financial crime risk assessments and programs, and it requires 60 credits or an active CAMS. Take CAMS first, then Risk Manager when you lead the program.
Try both, free
Each free practice test takes about 10 minutes and shows your score by topic. No signup.
FAQ
What is the difference between CAMS and AFC Risk Manager?
CAMS is the foundation. The AFC Risk Manager certification is an advanced credential for senior staff who own financial crime risk assessments and programs, and it requires 60 credits or an active CAMS. Take CAMS first, then Risk Manager when you lead the program.
Which is harder, CAMS or AFC Risk Manager?
CAMS: 120 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions in 3.5 hours (210 minutes). AFC Risk Manager: 90 multiple-choice questions (knowledge and scenario-based) in 3 hours. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both CAMS and AFC Risk Manager?
Yes. ACAMS certifications are separate credentials and many professionals hold more than one. Each has its own exam and recertification.
How do I prepare for CAMS and AFC Risk Manager?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. All-Access ($147 a month) covers every ACAMS exam on one plan, so you can prepare for both without paying twice.
More comparisons
Exam details are summarized from ACAMS' published information as of October 2026. Confirm with ACAMS before you book. AMLExamPrep is not affiliated with ACAMS.