ACAMS Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against ACAMS
The ACAMS certification test is the global gold standard for AML compliance professionals, validating your expertise in financial crime prevention. Compliance professionals may also find our PHR practice test helpful. Practice with the free Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (200+ questions with answer explanations).
- The ACAMS CAMS exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions covering both theoretical knowledge and practical scenario-based problems. (ACAMS)
- Candidates need a passing score of 75 on the CAMS exam to earn the CAMS certification. (ACAMS)
- The CAMS certification package, which includes the study guide, flashcards, eLearning courses, the exam simulator and the exam, costs US$2,095 for the private sector and US$1,595 for the public sector (US$2,495 / US$2,095 with Virtual Classroom). (ACAMS)
- Retaking the CAMS exam costs US$299, and the retake is scheduled through the candidate's ACAMS account. (ACAMS)
- The CAMS designation must be recertified every three years. (ACAMS)
- The CAMS exam is taken by computer at Pearson VUE testing centers, which have a global network of more than 5,000 locations. (ACAMS)
- To apply for the CAMS exam, candidates need 40 eligibility credits from anti-financial crime education, experience, certifications and training, plus an active ACAMS membership. (ACAMS)
Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against ACAMS. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
ACAMS Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 120 multiple-choice questions | ACAMS |
| Passing score | 75 | ACAMS |
| Exam fee | US$2,095 private sector / US$1,595 public sector (package incl. exam) | ACAMS |
| Retake fee | US$299 per retake | ACAMS |
| Validity | 3 years (recertification required) | ACAMS |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers (5,000+ locations) | ACAMS |
| Eligibility | 40 eligibility credits + active ACAMS membership | ACAMS |
| Late registration deadline | Exam extension US$100 (request before eligibility expires) | ACAMS |
| Testing window | 6 months from application approval | ACAMS |
Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against ACAMS. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists Study Tools
Interactive Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- ACAMS Basic 1 — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
ACAMS Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the ACAMS - Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
ACAMS Beneficial Ownership and Politically...
ACAMS Test Prep for Beneficial Ownership and Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Practice ACAMS Quiz questions and boost your score.
ACAMS Flashcards
Quick review for key CAMS concepts
💸What is Placement?
Placement is the first stage of money laundering where illicit cash enters the financial system.
START ACAMS PRACTICE TEST🔍What is Structuring?
Structuring involves breaking large transactions into smaller amounts to avoid reporting thresholds.
GET ACAMS EXAM PREP📜What is the USA PATRIOT Act?
A U.S. law strengthening measures to prevent, detect, and prosecute international money laundering and financing of terrorism.
REVIEW ACAMS QUESTIONS🌍What is FATF?
The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental body that sets standards for combating money laundering.
TRY ACAMS MOCK EXAM🏦What is CDD?
Customer Due Diligence involves verifying the identity of a customer and assessing the risks associated with doing business with them.
ACCESS ACAMS STUDY GUIDE🚩What are Red Flags?
Warning signs that indicate potential money laundering activity, such as inconsistent transaction patterns.
PRACTICE ACAMS TEST NOWACAMS Exam Study Guide
Prepare effectively with our detailed ACAMS test prep guide. Understanding the core components of the CAMS exam is essential for navigating the ACAMS test difficulty.
ACAMS Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
120
84 out of 120 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
For a private sector professional, the total initial investment is approximately $2,040 (Membership + Exam Package). This investment often pays off within the first year through salary increases.
ACAMS Career Opportunities
CAMS certification opens doors to various high-demand roles in financial crime prevention.
AML Analyst
Monitor transactions for suspicious activity and file SARs. Essential entry-level role in banks.
Compliance Officer
Ensure the organization adheres to all regulatory requirements and internal AML policies.
Forensic Accountant
Investigate complex financial discrepancies and potential fraud schemes within organizations.
Regulatory Officer
Work with government bodies to enforce banking laws and audit financial institutions.
Risk Manager
Identify and mitigate financial crime risks associated with new products or clients.
ACAMS Test Day Checklist
- ✓Two forms of valid ID (Government issued)
- ✓Confirmation email from Pearson VUE
- ✓ACAMS Membership ID number
- ✓Arrive 30 minutes early
- ✓Leave personal items in locker
- ✓Review exam tutorial
- ✓Read NDA agreement
- ✓Relax and pace yourself
Ready to Pass Your ACAMS Exam?
Join thousands of certified professionals who used our free ACAMS practice test resources. Start practicing now and achieve your CAMS designation.
ACAMS Renewal Requirements
Credits
60 CAMS
Cycle
3 Years
Fee
$200
Attending ACAMS webinars and chapter events is the easiest way to earn the required 60 continuing education credits for recertification.
ACAMS: Pros and Cons
- +ACAMS exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains
- +Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients
- +Study materials and practice tests are widely available
- +Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers
- +Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it
- −Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date
- −Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods
- −Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials
- −Testing center availability may require advance scheduling
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ACAMS exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Sample Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which of the following represents the financial stage of money laundering?
- A. placement
- B. structuring
Answer: A. placement
Placement is the first financial stage of money laundering, where illegally obtained cash is introduced into the legitimate financial system. This often involves breaking up large sums of cash into smaller, less conspicuous amounts and depositing them into bank accounts or converting them into monetary instruments. Structuring is a technique used during the placement stage to avoid reporting thresholds.
A financial institution receives a grand jury subpoena for the financial records of one of its customers. What is the most critical action the institution must take upon receipt?
- A. Immediately notify the customer that law enforcement has requested their records.
- B. Conduct an internal investigation and file a SAR on the customer before responding.
- C. Comply with the subpoena's request for information while maintaining strict confidentiality about its existence.
- D. Freeze all transactions on the account until the subpoena has been fulfilled.
Answer: C. Comply with the subpoena's request for information while maintaining strict confidentiality about its existence.
A grand jury subpoena is a formal legal order that must be complied with. A critical aspect of such subpoenas is the requirement for secrecy to avoid compromising the investigation. Notifying the customer could be considered obstruction of justice. While the receipt of a subpoena should prompt a review of the customer's activity to determine if a SAR is warranted, it does not automatically require one to be filed. Freezing the account is not typically required by a subpoena alone and should only be done with a specific court order, such as a seizure warrant.
An AML program's policies, procedures, and internal controls should be MOST influenced by which of the following?
- A. The personal preferences of the Chief Executive Officer.
- B. The results of the institution's enterprise-wide risk assessment.
- C. The number of employees in the compliance department.
- D. The AML programs of competing financial institutions.
Answer: B. The results of the institution's enterprise-wide risk assessment.
The foundation of a risk-based AML program is the enterprise-wide risk assessment. The results of this assessment, which identifies the specific ML/TF risks the institution faces from its customers, products, services, and geographies, should directly inform the design and implementation of its policies, procedures, and controls.
What is the primary AML risk concern when onboarding a PEP as a customer?
- A. Currency exchange rate exposure
- B. Elevated risk of bribery, corruption proceeds, or abuse of public office being laundered through the institution
- C. Greater likelihood of tax evasion
- D. Reputational risk from media attention only
Answer: B. Elevated risk of bribery, corruption proceeds, or abuse of public office being laundered through the institution
PEPs pose elevated AML risk because their public positions may give them access to state funds or opportunities for bribery and corruption, making them potential conduits for laundering illicit proceeds.
Take the full Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists practice test
ACAMS Questions and Answers
Official Resources
- ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists) is the organization that owns and administers the CAMS certification, where candidates register for the exam, access official study materials, and manage credential renewal.
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global standard-setter for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing whose recommendations underpin much of the CAMS exam syllabus.
- FFIEC publishes the BSA/AML Examination Manual, a core U.S. regulatory reference for the compliance concepts tested on the ACAMS exam.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- acams.org — Test delivery, late registration, test dates, score validity, eligibility, fees, exam format, passing score, retake fee, score release · verified Oct 2026