How credits are counted
Degrees can be in any subject from an accredited institution. Membership itself doesn't earn credits.
| Source | Credits |
|---|---|
| Associate degree | 10 |
| Bachelor's degree | 20 |
| Master's degree | 30 |
| JD or PhD | 40 |
| Each year of AFC work experience | 10 (no limit) |
| Each hour of financial crime training | 1 (no limit) |
Worked examples
- Bachelor's degree (20) + 2 years in a KYC team (20) = 40. Eligible for specialist certifications.
- No degree + 3 years in transaction monitoring (30) + 10 hours of AML webinars (10) = 40. Eligible.
- Master's degree (30) + the four CAMS core courses (18) = 48. Eligible for CAMS.
- Bachelor's degree (20) + 4 years' experience (40) = 60. Eligible for the advanced certifications too.
Shortcuts if you already hold an ACAMS certification
- A specialist certification qualifies you for the other specialist certifications.
- CAMS qualifies you for every specialist and advanced certification.
- An advanced certification qualifies you for the other advanced certifications.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free CAMS practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Credits from the CAMS program itself
The CAMS program helps you reach 40. The four core certificate courses give 18 credits in total, each extra elective gives 1 credit, and the Virtual Classroom Series gives 12.
Recertification credits
Fees are US$200 early (by 1 October), US$250 standard (by 15 December) or US$300 late (by 31 March of the following year).
| Certification | Every 3 years | Minimum from ACAMS |
|---|---|---|
| CAMS | 60 credits | 12 |
| CGSS, CCAS, CAFS | 30 credits | 15 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree for CAMS?
No. Four years of AFC experience alone gives 40 credits, or you can combine experience and training.
Does an internship count?
Yes, if it's in anti-financial crime.
Do the associate certifications need 40 credits?
No. They require an active ACAMS membership, but not the 40-credit specialist requirement.
Can training from other providers count?
ACAMS says it accepts training credits from other organizations; contact ACAMS for specifics.
Official sources
Practice tests for these certifications
CAMS Certification Exam (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
The flagship ACAMS certification and the most requested AML credential in compliance job ads.
CGSS Certification Exam (Certified Global Sanctions Specialist)
ACAMS' sanctions certification for screening, sanctions compliance and trade-control professionals.
CAFS Certification Exam (Certified Anti-Fraud Specialist)
ACAMS' anti-fraud certification for fraud prevention, detection and investigation teams at banks and non-bank financial institutions.
This guide is general information, checked October 2026, not legal advice. Certification rules change; confirm with ACAMS before you apply.
