Specialist-Level Recertification
Every three years, ACAMS certified specialists need to recertify. Keep your designation by recertifying today.
When you started your certification journey, you took the next step in your career. You committed yourself to professional growth. You joined a community dedicated to fighting financial crime. Now it’s time for you to decide what’s next.
Make Recertification Your Next Step
Financial crime doesn’t stay still, and neither do our certified specialists. That’s why every three years, ACAMS certified specialists need to recertify. The recertification process ensures that all certified professionals continue their commitment to development.
ACAMS holds records of every certified member, so employers can confirm the credentials of future employees.
By recertifying every three years, you retain your certification and everything that comes with it. That includes:
Your designation
A specialist-level designation exemplifies your expertise and opens professional doors. If you chose not to recertify, you can no longer use the CAMS or CGSS designation after your name.
Your community
Being a certified specialist connects you with fellow graduates across the world. Stay part of a community of professionals just like you - united in the fight against financial crime.
Your opportunity for growth
When you recertify, you continue your commitment to learning. Make sure your knowledge is up-to-date with the ever-evolving world of anti-financial crime – don’t get left behind.
The Recertification Process
The specialist-level recertification process is quick and easy. You need to:
Maintain an active ACAMS membership
Meet the continuing education credit requirements
Pay a recertification fee and submit an online application
For full details of the specialist-level recertification process, download your certification’s candidate handbook. If you have any questions or need further assistance with your recertification application, please contact us.
Recertification Requirements
To complete your specialist-level recertification, ACAMS asks you to provide evidence of your continuing education in the form of recertification credits. All of your credits must have been earned in the three years since you obtained your specialist-level certification (or since your most recent recertification).
You can earn recertification credits for:
- Each year you have held uninterrupted ACAMS membership*
- Each year of relevant professional experience you have*
- Each hour of relevant educational training you have completed (ACAMS and non-ACAMS provided)
- Other professional accomplishments
*Only applicable to CAMS. For details on applicable recertification credits, please refer to the recertification information inside your candidate handbook.
Recertification Fees and Deadlines
You need to complete your recertification three years after obtaining your specialist-level certification, or three years after your most recent recertification. For example, if you obtained your certification in 2021, you would need to recertify in 2024.
We offer three recertification options, each with different costs:
Early application by Oct 1: US$200
For applications and payments submitted on or before October 1. If you obtained your certification in 2021 (during any month), your early application deadline will be October 1, 2024.
Regular application by Dec 15: US$250
For applications and payments submitted on or before December 15. If you obtained your certification in 2021 (during any month), your regular application deadline will be December 15, 2024.
Late application by Mar 31: US$300
If you miss the deadlines above, you can submit a late application. Your application and payment must be received by March 31. If you obtained your certification in 2021 (during any month), your late application deadline will be March 31, 2025.
If you miss the late application deadline, you can no longer submit an application. Your designation will expire, and to become a certified specialist again you will need to reapply and retake the exam. For more information, please contact your account manager.
Specialist Recertification FAQs
You are due to recertify three years after achieving your specialist-level certification. For example, if Mary certified in July 2023, her recertification due date would be 15 Dec 2026. And then continue to recertify every three years to maintain her ACAMS designation.
You can also login to your account to check your credential expiry date. Click here (P.14) and it will guide you to check your credential expiry date.
For CAMS recertification, graduates must have an active ACAMS membership and meet the recertification credit requirements. You need a total of 60 credits, and 12 out of the 60 credits must be from ACAMS training, strictly initiated and hosted by ACAMS. An online recertification application must be submitted with all of the required information, and the recertification fee paid. For additional information on the recertification process, please check the Recertification section on the Candidate Handbook.
For CGSS, CCAS or CAFS recertification, graduates must have an active ACAMS membership and meet the recertification credit requirements. You need a total of 30 credits, and 15 out of the 30 credits must be from ACAMS training, strictly initiated and hosted by ACAMS. An online recertification application must be submitted with all of the required information, and the recertification fee paid.
For additional information on the recertification process, please check the Recertification section on the Candidate Handbook.
If you wish to maintain all of your designations, you must recertify each one separately.
Yes, you will need to recertify your latest Advanced Certification designation, as well as the CGSS/CCAS/CAFS designation separately. Maintaining your Advanced Certification designation will keep your CAMS designation active.
You do not need to submit supporting documentation with your application. However, ACAMS conducts an audit of each recertifying class. Anyone selected to participate in the audit will need to provide all of their supporting documentation. Members who are not able to provide supporting documentation may be at risk of becoming decertified.
Yes, as long as the credits were earned after you passed the exam.
Yes – ACAMS has a full range of webinars for members to choose from as well as online certificate courses. Make sure you have active ACAMS membership to earn credits from free eligible webinars. Click here to start accruing your credits today.
Yes, the same credits can count towards the recertification credit requirements for each of your designations. The credits must meet the validity requirements for each designation. A credit is valid for recertification when it has been earned after the exam date, or after the last recertification date, and before the expiration date of the designation.
Members may use other professional certifications towards recertification as long as these are related to financial crime prevention or sanctions.
You do not need to record recertification credits earned through ACAMS events. However, please keep track of non-ACAMS credits earned through outside organizations as these cannot be registered on your ACAMS profile. Credits earned through membership or professional experience are not registered on your profile either.
Please click here (P.12) and it will guide you to check your valid ACAMS credits.
You can pay the fee for recertification during your application submission. Once you have completed the application, you will be prompted for your payment option. You can use your credit card to make an online payment or alternatively, please click here to request an invoice.
Please click here (P.20) and it will guide you. Please use your current ACAMS account for recertification application. If you have issues accessing your account, please contact us. Do not create a new account for recertification.
Yes. A request must be submitted the year you are due for recertification, please refer to the candidate handbook under ‘’Extensions’’ for recertification.