CAFCA Certification

Am I eligible to take the CAFCA Exam?

There are no eligibility requirements for CAFCA.

Why is it called Certified Associate instead of Certified Specialist like CAMS and CGSS?

ACAMS associate-level certifications are ideal for professionals at an earlier stage in their career than our specialist-level certifications.

Do I need to take any prerequisite courses before taking the CAFCA course?

No, there are no prerequisites for the CAFCA course. The course is suitable for those new to the topic and those who wish to build on or refresh their existing knowledge.

If there are no work or training requirements, why is there an application?

All ACAMS certifications include an exam, and to take the exam you must have completed a test-taker agreement. This is an important component of associate-level certification applications.

There are other FinTech certification programs out there, why choose ACAMS?

ACAMS FinTech Certifications are recognized by organizations and regulators globally and can be used to evidence your knowledge to current and future employers.

CAFCA is our specialized FinTech certification program, designed by FinTech experts. Studying CAFCA will enable you to understand the financial crime risks specific to FinTech, helping you to progress in your career in FinTech compliance.

Will attaining CAFCA count toward CAMS and CGSS eligibility or recertification?

Yes! Candidates receive eight (8) ACAMS credits for completing the online training component of the program.

What type of career opportunities are available for individuals with the CAFCA Certification?

CAFCA is ideal for professionals at the beginning of their career and is designed to ensure you understand core compliance principles, functions, and risks. This foundational knowledge will help you in roles like compliance analyst, risk analyst, and AML/KYC officer. The CAFCA designation is globally recognized and will enable you to evidence your knowledge to current and future employers as you progress through your FinTech compliance career.

Is the CAFCA Certification acknowledged internationally?

As the largest membership organization for anti-financial crime professionals, ACAMS Certificates and Certifications are recognized worldwide by leading organizations, regulators, and government bodies.

The CAFCA designation is a globally recognized FinTech certification and will enable you to evidence your knowledge to current and future employers as you progress through your FinTech compliance career.

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 a membership), login 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.

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

Yes, you can login to see how your application is progressing.

How long do I have to take the CAFCA exam?

Once your application has been approved and you have paid, you will be authorized to take the exam. You have six months from that date to schedule and take the exam. Schedule your exam via the Pearson VUE scheduling system.

How can I submit my application?

Submit your CAFCA application here. If you have any problems, give us a call.

Is there a web form for the CAFCA application?

Yes, submit your CAFCA application here.

Is the CAFCA application transferable?

No – every individual must submit their own application. However, the exam fee may be transferable to someone else if you no longer wish to get CAFCA certified. Please contact us to discuss.

In how many languages is the CAFCA exam available?

Currently, ACAMS offers the CAFCA certification program in English.

How do I register to take the 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 test center.

When can I register to take the exam?

Candidates can register for the exam when they receive their exam authorization.

Where are the Pearson VUE test centers located?

Find a test center near you, here. ACAMS also offers online proctoring via Pearson VUE.

Is it possible to take the exam during a conference?

No. The CAFCA exam is only available via Pearson VUE test centers – they offer a global network of 5000+ locations – or through the Pearson VUE online proctoring system. Find a test center near you, here.

Are test results disclosed to third parties? Are the test results public?

Your score is private, but the names of successful graduates are listed on our online graduate list. If your organization is paying for your certification, exam results may be disclosed to them.

How do I access the CAFCA study materials?

We’ll email you a link to the online study materials on our learning management system.

Can I view the study guide on a Kindle?

Yes, the CAFCA Study Guide PDF is viewable on most e-readers.

Is the program structured the same as CAMS and CGSS (study guide, flash cards, virtual classroom, etc.)?

CAFCA has an online eLearning course, a study guide, and digital flashcards. There is currently no virtual classroom program for CAFCA.

How long does the CAFCA Certification program take to complete?

The CAFCA course comprises eight hours of online material. There are also study materials, including a study guide and digital flash cards, which we recommend you use to help you prepare for the exam. The CAFCA exam is 90 minutes long. You need to schedule and complete the CAFCA exam within six months of the date your application was accepted by ACAMS.

Is the study material accessible after I’ve completed the course?

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

Are the study materials for CAFCA updated regularly to reflect changes in FinTech compliance practices?

All of ACAMS study materials and financial compliance certification exams are regularly updated to stay in sync with the evolving AFC landscape.

How long is my CAFCA certification valid?

The CAFCA Certification is valid for one year, and graduates can recertify (free of charge) each year by maintaining an active ACAMS membership and earning two recertification credits (continuing professional education) each year.

These two recertification credits can be earned with free ACAMS Webinars.

Do credits earned the same year I became CAFCA certified count toward my recertification?

Yes, as long as the credits were earned after you passed the CAFCA exam.

Why should I take a practice exam?

We designed our practice exams to set you up for success. Developed to the same quality standard as the certification exam, the practice exam will give you the best chance of getting certified by:

• Exposing you to samples of certification exam questions
• Building your confidence in readiness for the certification exam
• Helping you study in an interactive e-learning environment
• Covering 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:

• 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 on 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?

Some study materials include post-assessments. 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, in order to prepare you for your certification exam.

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 learning management system (LMS), find and click on your course, under the “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 enrollment 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%.

“All exams 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 exam with anyone, and that you will not record, copy, or disclose any exam questions 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 exam 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 exam, 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 an 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 exam result was obtained by way of irregularities or unfair advantage, no refunds for exam or membership fees will be provided.”

Requests for Disability Service Exam Accommodations

ACAMS® is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the extent practicable 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.

Requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the test date.

If you have a disability as defined under local, applicable law, please contact accommodations@acams.org to request Disability Service accommodations. The corresponding department will contact you with further information.