CAMS vs CTMA: which ACAMS certification is right for you?
CTMA is a 60-question associate exam for transaction monitoring and alert analysts. CAMS covers the whole AML program. Take CTMA early in a monitoring role, then CAMS when you want to move beyond alert work.
CAMS vs CTMA at a glance
| CAMS | CTMA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | CAMS Certification Exam (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) | CTMA Certification Exam (Certified Transaction Monitoring Associate) |
| Questions | 120 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions | 60 multiple-choice questions (some unscored) |
| Time | 3.5 hours (210 minutes) | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 75 | 74% of scored questions |
| 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$1,045 package (same price for private and public sector); ACAMS membership required |
| 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) | Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese |
| Where | Pearson VUE (test center or online proctored) | Pearson VUE (test center or online proctored) |
| Level | Specialist | Associate |
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
CTMA
- Transaction monitoring foundations
- Red flags and typologies
- Alert investigation and disposition
- Escalation, SARs and documentation
- Monitoring systems, tuning and quality
Which should you take?
CTMA is a 60-question associate exam for transaction monitoring and alert analysts. CAMS covers the whole AML program. Take CTMA early in a monitoring role, then CAMS when you want to move beyond alert work.
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 CTMA?
CTMA is a 60-question associate exam for transaction monitoring and alert analysts. CAMS covers the whole AML program. Take CTMA early in a monitoring role, then CAMS when you want to move beyond alert work.
Which is harder, CAMS or CTMA?
CAMS: 120 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions in 3.5 hours (210 minutes). CTMA: 60 multiple-choice questions (some unscored) in 90 minutes. 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 CTMA?
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 CTMA?
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.