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What is CAMS?

CAMS is a professional credential, considered a global benchmark for professionals working in the anti-money laundering field. To earn the CAMS Certification, professionals must pass a proctored exam. Becoming CAMS-certified distinguishes you as an authority on AML and counter-terrorist financing, and enables you to better mitigate financial crime risks in your organization.

What are the career paths for CAMS-certified professionals?

Achieving an ACAMS Certification exemplifies your superior level of understanding of international anti-financial crime principles. As a globally recognized and respected certification, CAMS increases your professional value and can help you attain a position in the AML field or further your AML career.

CAMS-certified professionals can find opportunities across the private and public sectors, including in financial services, DNFBPs, government, and law enforcement.  Potential roles include Compliance Officer, AML Investigator, and Financial Crime Analyst.

What documents do I need to provide as evidence of my educational qualifications?

Please provide us with official transcripts or a copy of your diploma.

Am I eligible to take the CAMS Exam?

The full list of requirements is listed in the CAMS Candidate Handbook. However, at minimum, you will need to demonstrate you have 40 eligibility credits (check our eligibility calculator) and be an ACAMS member.

Do you accept training credits from other organizations?

Yes, we do! Contact us for specifics.

Am I eligible to take the CAMS exam if I don’t hold a higher education degree?

Absolutely. There are a number of ways to accrue eligibility credits. You can even make up eligibility credits through the CAMS Virtual Classroom or CAMS Live Prep courses. Check the CAMS Candidate Handbook for more details, or contact us to talk through your specific circumstances.

Do I earn any credits for being an ACAMS member?

We certify the achievements of our members. Being a member is a requirement for CAMS certification but doesn’t count towards your 40 eligibility credits total.

Does the higher education degree need to be financial crime related in order to qualify for eligibility credits?

Not at all. As long as your degree is issued by an accredited college or university it can be in any field of study.

Is internship experience eligible for the professional credit towards the 40 eligibility credits requirement?

Yes - if your internship is in the field of AML.

How do I apply?

Apply online — you can find the form here.

Do I need to login to apply?

Yes. If you already have an ACAMS account (this is free to create - it’s not the same as membership), log in with your registered email and password. If you’re new to ACAMS, create a new account here, then you’ll be able to access the application form.

How much does an ACAMS Certification cost?

You can find full pricing information for the CAMS Certification here.

Do I pay and apply at the same time, or can I do these separately?

You can pay before or after your application has been accepted by ACAMS (we check to see if you’re eligible after you apply).

Can I submit a digital version of my supporting documents?

Absolutely. You will upload supporting documents as part of your online CAMS application process.

Can I check the status of my CAMS application after I’ve submitted it?

Yes! Log in to see how your application is progressing.

How long do I have to take the CAMS exam?

You have six months from the day you purchase your exam package. After purchase, ACAMS sends the names of eligible candidates to Pearson VUE. You can schedule your test by logging on to the ACAMS website and accessing the Pearson VUE exam scheduling system.

How can I submit my application?

You can submit your CAMS exam application here. If you’re having any problems, give us a call.

Is there a web form for the CAMS application?

Yes! Submit your CAMS exam application here.

Is the CAMS application transferable?

No – every individual who applies to become a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist is assessed against the eligibility criteria. So, everyone must submit their own application. However, the exam fee may be transferable to someone else if you no longer wish to sit for CAMS. Please contact us to discuss.

Is there a government discount offered for the CAMS exam?

Yes! Find our public sector pricing here – including the CAMS Certification cost for public sector professionals.

In how many languages is the CAMS exam available?

The CAMS exam is available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Bahasa Indonesian
• Chinese – simplified
• Chinese – traditional
• English
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish

How do I register to take the exam?

You must first apply for the CAMS exam. Once your application is approved and you have paid the fee, you’ll be emailed instructions on how to schedule your exam at your nearest Pearson VUE testing center.

When can I register to take the exam?

Candidates are able to register for the exam as soon as they purchase their exam package.

Where are the Pearson VUE testing centers located?

Find a testing center near you.

Is it possible to take the exam during a conference?

It’s not possible to take the exam onsite at an ACAMS Conference. The CAMS exam is only available at Pearson VUE testing centers – they offer a global network of 5,000+ locations. Find a testing center near you.

How do I access the CAMS study materials?

ACAMS certification study materials are accessible via our learning management system (LMS). Once your application is accepted and paid for, we’ll email you links to the online CAMS study materials.

Is the study guide included in all CAMS packages?

Yes! In each CAMS package you will receive the study guide, and the exam. If you’d like a more structured learning experience, you can choose to upgrade to a Virtual Classroom Package or enroll in a CAMS Live Prep course. But everyone studies from exactly the same study guide.

Can I view the study guide on a Kindle?

Yes, the CAMS study guide PDF is viewable on most e-readers.

Can I access the study materials after the course is completed?

You may download the study guide, which is available in PDF format, to refer to after you have completed the CAMS Certification. Please note that once you have completed the CAMS exam, the study materials will no longer be available for you to access via the LMS.

What is the CAMS Exam Simulator?

The CAMS Exam Simulator is ACAMS’ official solution to practice and prepare for your certification exam. In a simulation platform, you will be able to test yourself in timed and realistic conditions, using a bank of over 1,000 questions. You will be able to track your progress, and choose to test by topics, exam domains, or practice the exam in full, as many times as you want.

Which certification is the Exam Simulator available for, and in which languages?

For now, the Exam Simulator is available for the CAMS certification in English only.

How can I get the CAMS Exam Simulator?

You can purchase the CAMS Exam Simulator in addition to your certification package. It is also available for retakers as part of a bundle with the exam retake. To purchase online, please visit the optional upgrades section of this webpage.

What is the difference between a practice exam and the certification exam?

The practice exam questions match the question types and topics included in the actual certification exam.*

The practice exam questions follow the same format as the certification exam. There are two versions of the practice exam:

• Practice exam (no answers): one version without answers revealed
• Practice exam (show answers): the same version with answers immediately available

None of the practice exam questions will appear on the certification exam.

*Please note the practice exam is hosted in the ACAMS Learning Management System (LMS), which differs from the environment where the actual certification exam is administered – through our partnership with Pearson VUE.

What is the difference between a post-assessment and a practice exam?

You can test your knowledge throughout the course with CAMS assessment questions. These “post-assessment” questions are included within the training course and are designed to help you assess your knowledge as you study.

Practice exams enable you to practice real-type exam questions, in order to prepare for your certification examination.

Where can I find my practice exam?

Practice exams are part of your study materials. Once you’re registered for your certification program, log into the LMS, find and click on your course, under “My Courses” section. Scroll down the path and choose the practice exam of your choice to begin. You can access it at any time during your certification program enrolment period.

How many times can I take the practice exam?

You can retake both versions of the practice exam as many times as you wish, even if you score 100% of the questions.

‘’All examinations and the exam materials are the copyright of ACAMS and may not be published, shared, reproduced, or otherwise distributed or disseminated without the express written consent of ACAMS. You will maintain the confidentiality of, and not distribute, share, or disclose any exam materials. You agree not to discuss the content of an examination with anyone, and that you will not record, copy, or disclose any examination question or answers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in any form or by any means whatsoever. Additionally, you represent that you have not received Examination questions or answers from others.

Disclosing exam materials or information about exam materials may result in a lawsuit that may result in paying monetary damages or in you being subject to other court-enforced penalties, criminal penalties, cancellation of your test scores, revocation, or suspension of any of your current certifications, and/or revocation or suspension of your ACAMS memberships.

ACAMS is the final authority that determines in its sole discretion whether you have the privilege of maintaining your membership or any certification, sitting for an examination, and whether any score you receive is satisfactory. Initial receipt of a satisfactory score or certificate does not waive ACAMS’ right and discretion to deem a score non-satisfactory in the event ACAMS determines there were test taking irregularities or that the score may have been obtained by way of unfair advantage (e.g., evidence of cheating). In such an event, your memberships and certificate(s) may be suspended or revoked. In the event ACAMS determines that a certification or examination result was obtained by way of irregularities or unfair advantage, no refunds for examination or membership fees will be provided.’’

For Singapore citizens or permanent residents, CAMS + Singapore AML Regime Exam package is eligible for funding under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS). Visit IBF-STS & IBF Level 2 Certification Requirement to find out more.