Get recognized as a Certified Global Sanctions Specialist.
Be Ready to Respond to Change
In the sanctions world, change is a certainty. And the best way to be prepared, is to understand the principles behind sanctions compliance.
Through a mix of study materials, case examples, and case studies, the Certified Global Sanctions Specialist Certification (CGSS) covers sanctions governance and frameworks, the sanctions compliance program, and the detection and investigation of sanctions evasion techniques – providing best practices in global sanctions compliance.
Become certified in as little as four months.
About CGSS
Developed for professionals with 18 months to two years of financial crime compliance experience, getting CGSS certified demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge necessary to manage risks related to sanctions and ensure greater sanctions compliance.
CGSS has been developed in conjunction with recognized sanctions and AFC subject matter experts, including those from regulatory and law enforcement backgrounds. CGSS answers the need for an in-depth training program in sanctions compliance, to help industry professionals better respond to the current challenges.
It can be deployed to teams globally ensuring they are trained against the same standards and their specialized knowledge is recognized. CGSS-certified teams enable organizations to better manage sanctions risk, establish an effective sanctions compliance program, and demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
For Organizations:
The complexities and challenges associated with sanctions compliance are noted as being among the top concerns by executive leadership, industry-wide. By employing CGSS-certified professionals, organizations demonstrate that their employees possess a specialized level of knowledge in sanctions compliance. This means they can better manage risks and ensure greater sanctions compliance.
Having a CGSS-certified workforce offers numerous benefits:
- It credibly demonstrates an organization’s commitment to sanctions compliance, with continuous education and resources of the Sanctions Space, available to keep their sanctions knowledge up to date.
- It helps organizations minimize risk in a world of increasingly complex laws, regulations, and policies.
- As a global credential, CGSS enables multinational organizations to apply a single, consistent program across their global network.
- It gives organizations access to the expansive global ACAMS network, connecting them with a diverse community dedicated to advancing the proficiency of financial crime prevention professionals.
Who Is CGSS For?
CGSS is ideal for mid- to senior-level professionals working in sanctions or AFC compliance.
Applicable areas of expertise include:
- Sanctions compliance
- Sanctions screening
- Economic/Financial sanctions
- Embargoes/Trade sanctions
- Global trade, import/export
- AML/CTF
- Compliance technology
- Legal counsel
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk management
CGSS Course Content
This certification program includes key topics relevant to sanctions compliance and incorporates four stackable ACAMS online certificate courses:
- Sanctions Frameworks and Governance
Understand the purpose of sanctions, who imposes them, the licenses and permissible activities, and the consequences of non-compliance - Building a Sanctions Compliance Program
Learn about sanctions risk assessment and due diligence, beneficial ownership and control, screening technology, policies, and processes - Detecting and Investigating Sanctions Evasion Techniques
Learn about sanctions evasion techniques through ownership, trade, and payments, including how to investigate sanctions breaches and manage frozen assets - Sanctions Compliance Case Studies
Consolidate your knowledge with case studies and activities designed for practitioners
Candidates will also receive additional study materials to help them confidently prepare for the CGSS exam.
CGSS Certification Package
Private Sector |
Public Sector | |
|---|---|---|
Study Guide (PDF) | ✔ | ✔ |
Flashcards | ✔ | ✔ |
Online Study Materials (Online Courses, Review Questions, Post-Assessment) | ✔ | ✔ |
Practice Exam | ✔ | ✔ |
Certification Exam | ✔ | ✔ |
Your Certification Package |
US$1,995 |
US$1,495 |
With Virtual Classroom(Bundle and save up to US$195) |
US$2,395 |
US$1,995 |
Language Availability
We offer the CGSS Certification program in different languages.
Visit the local language site and download the Candidate Handbook for more information about each program:
Arabic, Chinese - simplified, Chinese - traditional, English, French, Japanese, Korean
Alternate Packages
If you have previously completed any of the following ACAMS online certificate courses, please contact us for alternative CGSS exam packages:
A ACAMS agora oferece aplicação de exame online supervisionado para candidatos que fazem seus exames de certificação. Para obter mais informações, visite a página de perguntas frequentes.
Practice Exam
Developed under the same quality standards as the certification exam, the practice exam is included in your certification package as part of the study materials, and will provide you with the best chance to get certified by:
- Exposing you to sample exam questions
- Building confidence in your readiness for the certification exam
- Helping you study in an interactive e-learning environment
- Covering the topic areas included on the actual exam
Visit the FAQs section for more information.
Virtual Classroom Schedule
A live, web-based study course consisting of a series of 1–2 hour virtual classes held weekly over several weeks. It provides guided instruction to help candidates reinforce key concepts from the CGSS study guide.
Jan 8 - Feb 12, 2026 APAC EMEA 6 PM HKT/10 AM GMT - English
Feb 24 - Mar 31, 2026 US 12 PM ET - English
Mar 12 - Apr 16, 2026 EMEA 4 PM CET/CEST - French
Apr 14 - May 19, 2026 US 6PM ET - English
May 20 - Jun 24, 2026 APAC EMEA 6 PM HKT/11 AM BST - English
May 21 - Jun 25, 2026 EMEA 4 PM CEST - French
Jul 8 - Aug 12, 2026 US 12 PM ET - English
Aug 5 - Sep 9, 2026 APAC EMEA 6 PM HKT/11 AM BST - English
Sep 10 - Oct 15, 2026 EMEA 4 PM CEST - French
Oct 6 - Nov 10, 2026 US 6 PM ET - English
Nov 4 - Dec 9, 2026 APAC EMEA 6 PM HKT/10 AM GMT - English
Faculty
Who supports your CGSS learning journey? Meet the faculty members who deliver course content and help guide your path to certification.
Disability Service Accommodations
Requests for 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 and 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 the 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.