What CAMS is and who it's for
CAMS is a specialist-level certification run by ACAMS (the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists). ACAMS says it is aimed at anti-financial crime (AFC) professionals with around 18 to 24 months of experience, and at people working in, or moving into, second and third line roles such as compliance, risk and audit.
Typical roles include MLRO or BSA officer, compliance officer, KYC or transaction monitoring lead, risk manager and internal auditor. ACAMS reports more than 65,000 CAMS-certified members to date.
The current program was relaunched with a modular structure: four core online courses plus two electives (one sector case-study course and one jurisdiction regulatory framework course), all included in the package.
Step 1: Check your eligibility (40 credits)
You need 40 eligibility credits and an active ACAMS membership. Membership doesn't count toward the 40 credits. Credits come from education, experience and training:
- Your degree can be in any subject, as long as it's from an accredited institution.
- Internships in AFC count as work experience.
- ACAMS has an eligibility calculator if you're unsure.
| Source | Credits |
|---|---|
| Associate degree | 10 |
| Bachelor's degree (any field) | 20 |
| Master's degree | 30 |
| JD or PhD | 40 |
| Each year of AFC work experience | 10 |
| Each hour of financial crime training | 1 |
| CAMS core courses (all four) | 18 |
| CAMS Virtual Classroom Series | 12 |
Step 2: Buy the package and study
You can't buy the exam on its own. ACAMS sells it as a package that includes the study guide (PDF), flashcards, the four core courses, two electives, an exam simulator with more than 1,000 questions, and the exam itself.
| Package (October 2026) | Private sector | Public sector |
|---|---|---|
| CAMS package | US$2,095 | US$1,595 |
| CAMS package with Virtual Classroom | US$2,495 | US$2,095 |
| Virtual Classroom on its own | US$595 | US$595 |
| Exam retake | US$299 |
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free CAMS practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Step 3: Apply, schedule and sit the exam
- Finish your learning path and submit your application from 'My Account' on the ACAMS site. Approval usually takes about 5 business days.
- Once approved, you'll get an email with instructions to book through Pearson VUE, at a test center or online with remote proctoring.
- Sit the exam: 120 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions in 3.5 hours (210 minutes). There are no scheduled breaks.
- You need a scaled score of 75. There's no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
- Results appear when you finish. Keep your membership active to use the designation.
What's on the CAMS exam
The exam follows the four core courses. Questions mix straight knowledge with practical scenarios, and multiple-select questions give no partial credit.
- Understanding financial crime risks and methods: laundering stages, predicate crimes, terrorist and proliferation financing, and how each sector is abused.
- Global AFC frameworks, governance and regulations: FATF and its 40 Recommendations, regional bodies, the Egmont and Wolfsberg Groups, and key laws such as the BSA, the EU AML package and the UK Proceeds of Crime Act.
- Building an AFC compliance program: risk assessment, governance, CDD and EDD, monitoring, investigations, reporting, training and independent testing.
- Tools and technologies to fight financial crime: screening and monitoring systems, data, analytics and AI, and their governance.
A study plan that works around a full-time job
Most candidates study for 6 to 10 weeks at about an hour a day. Work through the ACAMS courses first, then switch to timed practice. The candidates who struggle usually know the material but haven't practiced reading long scenarios against the clock.
- Take a free diagnostic test to find your weak areas before you start.
- Study one course at a time, and do practice questions on each topic as you finish it.
- Review flashcards daily so thresholds, deadlines and definitions stick.
- From week 5, take full timed simulations and review every wrong answer.
- Book the exam when you're scoring at least 5 points above the pass mark consistently.
Keeping CAMS after you pass
CAMS must be renewed every 3 years. You need an active membership, 60 recertification credits (at least 12 earned through ACAMS) and a recertification fee: US$200 early (by 1 October), US$250 standard (by 15 December) or US$300 late (by 31 March of the following year).
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get CAMS certified?
Most candidates take 2 to 4 months from buying the package to passing, depending on experience and study time.
What is the CAMS pass mark?
A scaled score of 75. ACAMS doesn't publish a raw number of correct answers, because scores are scaled across exam versions.
Is the CAMS exam hard?
It's broad and scenario-based, with multiple-select questions that give no partial credit. Candidates who practice timed scenario questions do much better than those who only read the study guide.
Can I take CAMS without AML experience?
Yes, if you reach 40 credits another way. A bachelor's degree (20) plus the CAMS core courses (18) and 2 hours of training gets you there.
Does CAMS expire?
Yes. You recertify every 3 years with 60 credits and keep your ACAMS membership active.
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.
CKYCA Certification Exam (Certified Know Your Customer Associate)
ACAMS' entry-level certification for KYC, onboarding and customer due diligence analysts.
CGSS Certification Exam (Certified Global Sanctions Specialist)
ACAMS' sanctions certification for screening, sanctions compliance and trade-control professionals.
This guide is general information, checked October 2026, not legal advice. Certification rules change; confirm with ACAMS before you apply.
