Finance & Compliance Credential Verification
How to Verify a CAMS Certification
The CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) is the global standard credential for AML compliance professionals. Awarded by ACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists), it is widely required for BSA officers, compliance analysts, and financial crime investigators. Here is how to verify it.
Quick answer
Verify the CAMS designation through ACAMS at acams.org. ACAMS provides a public credential verification tool where you can confirm an individual's CAMS status by name or membership number. Active CAMS holders must complete 60 renewal credits every 3 years to maintain the designation.
What the CAMS covers
The CAMS designation certifies expertise in:
- Money laundering risks and methods
- AML compliance program design and implementation
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
- Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filing and CTR requirements
- FATF recommendations and international AML standards
- Sanctions compliance (OFAC, UN, EU) and FinCEN requirements
CAMS holders work as BSA/AML officers, compliance analysts, financial crime investigators, and AML consultants at banks, credit unions, money service businesses, and law enforcement agencies.
How to verify a CAMS designation
ACAMS maintains a public verification tool:
- Go to acams.org
- Navigate to the Credential Verification section (search “CAMS verification” on the site)
- Search by the individual's name or ACAMS membership number
- Confirm the CAMS designation is Active and the renewal period is current
Renewal requirement: 60 credits every 3 years
CAMS holders must earn 60 renewal credits (continuing education) every 3 years to maintain active status. Failure to complete renewal results in a suspended or revoked CAMS. Confirm the designation is Active — not just that the exam was passed years ago.
ACAMS specialty certifications
ACAMS offers additional specialty credentials beyond the foundational CAMS:
- CAMS-Audit: AML compliance audit and quality assurance
- CAMS-FCI (Financial Crimes Investigations): Fraud, corruption, and financial crime investigation
- CAMS-RM (Risk Management): AML risk assessment and program management
- CAMS-Trade: Trade-based money laundering and sanctions compliance
Specialty certifications require the CAMS as a prerequisite. All can be verified through the ACAMS verification tool.
CAMS vs. related compliance credentials
| Credential | Body | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CAMS | ACAMS | Anti-money laundering; global standard for AML compliance |
| CFCS (Certified Financial Crime Specialist) | ACFCS | Broader financial crime: fraud, corruption, cybercrime, AML combined |
| CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager) | ABA | Bank regulatory compliance generally; not AML-specific |
| CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) | ACFE | Fraud investigation; overlaps with AML but broader scope |
Verification checklist
- 1. Verify CAMS at acams.org credential verification tool by name or ACAMS membership number
- 2. Confirm Active status — not Suspended or Revoked due to renewal non-compliance
- 3. For BSA Officer roles: confirm the CAMS designation matches regulatory expectations for the institution type
- 4. For specialist roles: check if an ACAMS specialty (CAMS-Audit, CAMS-FCI, etc.) is also required
Verify finance and compliance program accreditation
AML professionals often hold degrees from accredited finance, criminal justice, or business programs. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a school's program is properly accredited.
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