Invest in your Financial Crime Investigative Skills
Prove your existing investigation skills and build on your ability to effectively communicate suspicious activity, with the Advanced CAMS-Financial Crimes Investigations (CAMS-FCI) certification.
In light of recent international sanctions, ACAMS and the company that administers its exams, Pearson VUE, have suspended examination services throughout Russia and Belarus until further notice.
Advanced CAMS-FCI is a leading certification for anti-financial crime (AFC) investigators. It equips professionals with the knowledge to conduct complex financial crimes investigations that involve multifaceted money laundering schemes and advanced typologies.
A Global, Exam-Based Certification
The Advanced CAMS-FCI training course teaches professionals how to successfully detect, investigate, and report suspicious transactions and communicate with law enforcement effectively.
Formerly an in-person course, Advanced CAMS-FCI is now a global exam-based certification. Candidates can prepare at a pace convenient to them and take the exam either virtually, via online proctoring, or in-person at selected test center locations.
Benefits of Advanced CAMS-FCI
Completing Advanced CAMS-FCI enables professionals from financial institutions, governments, and law enforcement agencies to:
Who is Advanced CAMS-FCI for?
This advanced-level certification is designed primarily and specifically for those who perform and/or supervise financial crime investigations within regulated institutions, or wish to do so. It is also appropriate for any professional who would benefit from advanced knowledge of financial crime investigations.
Applicable job titles include:
- AML Officer or AML Risk Officer
- Financial Crimes Investigator
- Global Financial Crimes Investigator
- AFC/AML Manager or Team Lead
- Special Investigations Unit Investigator
The new Advanced CAMS-FCI program Is currently not available online. For information on how to purchase and apply, please contact us.
Specialize in the Financial Crime Investigative Arena
Identify facts that support investigations, case decisions and suspicious activity reports (SARs)/suspicious transaction reports (STRs)
Allowing controls, training and enhanced due diligence procedures to be adjusted
Develop outreach programs with law enforcement to share emerging trends, unusual activity, and SARs/STRs
Minimize your institution’s risk exposure while still providing pertinent information to law enforcement
The certification is comprised of three parts: a self-study portion, a three-day live course, and the writing of a white paper which will be graded as the final exam.
The white paper is published and available to ACAMS members online or in print. This published paper will help you:
- Establish your expertise, gain recognition and build your portfolio
- A chance to provide thought leadership in the ACAMS community
- Provide analysis on major/emerging issues
How to Get Certified
We certify the achievements of our members. You must be CAMS certified, and an ACAMS member to apply.
Download the handbook, and submit your application.
Once accepted and payment has been made, you will receive full details about your pre-course work, live course and other requirements.
Upcoming Certification Dates & Locations
There are no upcoming dates for the Advanced CAMS-FCI Certification at this time. Please check back again soon.
Recertification
Every three years, Advanced CAMS professionals recertify
The recertification process validates that every Advanced CAMS-FCI graduate is maintaining their commitment to continuing professional education. This ensures that the designation is current, and is not just a point-in-time achievement.To recertify, professionals must:
- Have maintained their ACAMS membership
- Supply evidence of continuing professional education (note that requirements are changing from 2021)
- Complete an online application, and pay a recertification fee
For full information on the recertification process, download the Candidate Handbook.
Recertification Fees
Prices are subject to local taxes
Early bird US$200
For applications submitted on or before 1 October in the year of your recertification.
Standard US$250
For applications submitted by the 15 December deadline, in the year of your recertification.
Late US$300
For late applications. Note that all applications must still be submitted by 31 March in the year following your recertification deadline.
Disability Service Accommodations:
ACAMS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities as defined by local, applicable law. Our intent is to ensure that everyone who makes a request for accommodations is advised of the accommodation process as promptly as possible. If you have a disability as defined under local, applicable law, please contact the Accommodation Coordinator for a request form and information.
Process
The first step in the accommodation process is to contact our Disability Services.
Disability Services Accommodation Coordinator
Phone:+1 786 871 3062
E-mail: accommodations@acams.org
Fax:+1 866 494 0040
After you initiate contact, the Accommodation Coordinator will ask you to complete the accommodation request form specifying your impairment and the requested accommodation. In addition to the form, you must provide recent (generally no more than five years old) certification and/or documentation from a qualified medical or educational professional that (a) provides a specific diagnosis; and (b) recommends specific accommodations that might be helpful to the applicable setting and request based on the diagnosis.
When completing the form, add your application number (e.g., CAMS099887766), and submit it to accommodations@acams.org to ensure ACAMS properly receives your accommodation request. The Accommodation Coordinator will contact you with further information.
The Accommodation Coordinator will evaluate your request and supporting documentation and request or obtain any additional input, including supporting documentation as appropriate to determine whether your request can reasonably be granted. If your request is granted, the Accommodation Coordinator will work with you to implement the request. If your request is denied or deemed unreasonable, the Accommodation Coordinator will engage in a dialog with you to explore any alternative reasonable accommodation options, if appropriate.
Once accommodations have been implemented, you should continue to work with Disability Services on any accommodation-related needs. If you experience difficulty in implementing or obtaining approved accommodations, you must notify the Accommodation Coordinator immediately upon identification of concern for assistance in rectifying the situation as appropriate.
Requests are reviewed on an individual and rolling basis. Please note, the time for approval could potentially affect the timeframe for testing with approved accommodation.
If you have a complaint, please contact accommodations@acams.org. If you believe you have been discriminated against due to a disability you should contact accommodations@acams.org to address the immediate situation. You will be contacted by the Certification Manager.
FAQs
How is this version of Advanced CAMS-FCI different from the previous version?
The previous version included a three-day live training program, followed by a required white paper. The new exam-based version can be taken as self-study, or optionally with a 12-hour instructor-led, virtual classroom program. The assessment is a proctored exam, taken at a Pearson VUE testing center worldwide, or via online proctoring. The exam includes 90 multiple choice questions and takes three hours.
Why did ACAMS revise the original Advanced CAMS-FCI program?
We heard from many CAMS-certified members interested in becoming CAMS-FCI certified, who could not attend a live training course, for cost or scheduling reasons. Due to the white paper requirement, we were also unable to offer this certification in languages other than English. Our new version of Advanced CAMS-FCI maintains the rigor of the learning outcomes, while making the program more accessible based on cost and language.
What is the difference between an advanced CAMS certification and a specialist/associate-level certification?
Advanced CAMS certifications are designed for experienced professionals and require candidates to have previously passed CAMS. At this level, we also recommend candidates have a minimum of five years relevant experience before applying. We expect candidates to be able to synthesize information and to be able to answer complex, case-based questions.
What are the core topic areas of Advanced CAMS-FCI?
- Governance of an AFC Investigations Unit (20%)
- Leading Complex Investigations (30%)
- Financial Crime Typologies – Intermediate (30%)
- Reporting Suspicious Activity (20%)
What study materials are included?
Advanced CAMS-FCI includes a study guide, a practice exam, and an optional virtual classroom upgrade, which will consist of six two-hour live online classes, weekly.
Who is the Advanced CAMS-FCI certification for?
This advanced CAMS certification program is designed primarily and specifically for those who do, will, or wish to perform and/or supervise financial crime investigations within regulated institutions. It is appropriate for additional personnel where advanced knowledge of financial crime investigations is helpful.
Who is eligible to take Advanced CAMS-FCI?
Candidates must have an active ACAMS membership and have passed CAMS. The program does assume knowledge of financial crime investigations fundamentals, and the exam is designed to test at the level of someone with five years of financial crime investigations experience.
The program is appropriate for those who:
- Work in a financial investigation unit
- Work as a law enforcement officer, regulator, or examiner
- Work in financial crime compliance and/or independent audit
- Supervise individuals who perform financial crime investigations
- Work as MLROs, BSA officers, or in any other role with high levels of responsibility for AML compliance programs
- Aid in the preparation of an institution for a regulatory examination
- Perform bank examinations from a regulatory perspective
Is there an application?
Yes. To apply, you need to have an active membership and have passed CAMS. The application form also includes the test-taker agreement.
How do I find all available exam dates and locations?
Once enrolled, you will be able to access a scheduling tool to enable you to take your exam at a Pearson VUE center or via online proctoring.
How long do I have to take the certification exam from the day I pay?
Six months.
How long is the exam?
The exam consists of 90 questions and is 175 min long.
What is the structure of the exam?
The exam has multiple choice (select one answer) and multiple select questions (select all answers that fit). Case studies will be given with multiple questions relating to each case study.
If the exam is multiple-choice, how will it be more complex than other ACAMS certification exams?
If the exam is multiple-choice, how will it be more complex than other ACAMS certification exams?
Are the test results disclosed to third parties? Are the test results public?
Candidates receive their exam results immediately (pass or fail) at the conclusion of the test. If an organization pays for a candidate’s exam, they may ask for the result. If the candidate does not want this information released to their organization, they must notify ACAMS of their wish in writing.
Should I take a practice exam?
Our practice exams set you up for success. Developed to the same quality standard as the certification exam, the practice exam:
- Exposes you to samples of certification exam questions
- Builds your confidence in readiness for the certification exam
- Helps you study in an interactive e-learning environment
- Covers the topic areas included in the actual exam
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:
- Scored questions without answers revealed
- Unscored questions 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?
Post-assessments are a set of review questions designed to help you assess your knowledge after studying the training materials. Practice exams enable you to practice real-type exam questions to prepare for your certification exam.
Where can I find my practice exam?
Practice exams are part of your study materials. Once you’re registered, log into the LMS, find and click on your course, under the “My Courses” section. Scroll and choose the practice exam. 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 the scored version of the practice exam as many times as you wish, whether you pass or not. If you take the unscored version, you may take it once without answers shown. All additional attempts will show the answers you chose during the first attempt.
How long is my certification valid?
Three years.
What are the recertification requirements?
To recertify, you will need show evidence of 45 recertification credits. Credits can be earned for professional experience and participation in contunuing education. A minimum of 15 of these credits must be earned from ACAMS training or events. You will also need to hold an active ACAMS membership.
Do credits earned in the same year I became certified count towards my recertification?
Yes, as long as the credits were earned after passing the Advanced CAMS-FCI exam.
Will Advanced CAMS-FCI give me credits to put towards another certification or recertification?
Yes, the training component of the program is worth twelve ACAMS credits and participation in the Virtual Classroom series will earn you an additional 12. After you become Advanced CAMS-FCI certified, you don’t need to recertify your CAMS certification, just your Advanced CAMS-FCI Certification.
Do I need to recertify all of my earned certifications?
If you have earned more than one certification through ACAMS, you only need to meet the recertification requirements of the highest level of certification achieved.
What if I hold more than one Advanced CAMS certification with ACAMS?
You only need to meet the recertification requirements of one Advanced CAMS certification.
I previously earned my CAMS certification; however the certification has now lapsed. Can I take Advanced CAMS-FCI?
Yes, you may earn an Advanced CAMS certification with a lapsed CAMS certification. Once you earn your Advanced CAMS certification, your CAMS certification will also be considered active.