ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager

Advanced-level
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Advance Your Financial Crime Risk Expertise

Build advanced expertise to conduct risk assessments, implement and strengthen controls, and maintain an effective AFC risk management program.

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Why Certified AFC Risk Manager?

The ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification (formerly Advanced CAMS-Risk Management) is an advanced program designed to empower professionals with the expertise and confidence to proactively identify, assess, and manage financial crime risk in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. Building on core AFC knowledge, this certification helps you assess and strengthen risk frameworks, put sustainable controls in place, and anticipate emerging threats – so you can make informed, risk-based‑ decisions and add strategic value across regulatory, operational, and organizational landscapes.

This certification is for:

  • Mid- to senior-level risk management professionals responsible for overseeing financial crime risk programs.
  • Compliance and BSA officers who develop, implement, or monitor risk management frameworks.
  • Leadership roles, including MLROs and Chief Global Compliance Officers, seeking advanced expertise in financial crime risk assessment and mitigation.

The ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager program consists of four online courses designed to strengthen financial crime risk management and support sustainable AFC programs.

To earn the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager certification, candidates must complete all four courses and pass the proctored exam. Access all four courses as part of the certification package or purchase them individually as standalone training.

The Benefits of Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification

Unlock the value of the Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification.

Download the factsheet to explore how it drives professional growth and organizational success.

Prepare with Confidence

Exam preparation programs

Our exam preparation programs offer multiple options to fit your study style and professional needs:

  • Self-Study Material: Included in your exam package for learning at your own pace.
  • Virtual Classrooms: Four- to six-week online courses led by ACAMS experts (additional fee).

Talk to an ACAMS Advisor

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 material. Two versions are available in your learning path:

  • Practice exam (without answers): A full version with answers hidden
  • Practice exam (with answers): The same exam with answers revealed immediately

For more details, please check our FAQs.

Faculty

Meet the faculty members who deliver course content and help guide your path to ACAMS certification.

Meet the experts

While studying for the risk management certification, I gained a clearer understanding of how senior leadership shapes effective risk management.

It reinforced that strong oversight must start at the top, not fall solely on operational teams. This insight has strengthened my ability to communicate with management and approach KYC, AML, and Risk Management responsibilities with greater confidence and clarity."

Vanessa Chavez, Advanced CAMS-RM
VP Financial Crimes Risk Officer
ACAMS Member

Request a Consultation

Interested in the Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification for yourself or your team? Fill out the form below to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how this designation and ACAMS resources can support your financial crime risk management and compliance goals.

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, emails and/or texts regarding my training options from ACAMS and its affiliates and contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I further consent to the use of my personal information submitted herein as set forth in ACAMS’ Privacy Policy, subject to my rights under applicable law. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at ACAMS, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time.

 

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How to Get Certified

Our globally certified members are also part of the ACAMS community. So, an active ACAMS membership is required to obtain and maintain any ACAMS certification. 
Membership provides access to expert insights, resources, and a global network of AFC professionals to stay current with financial crime developments.

If you’re not yet a member, Join ACAMS!

    • 1

      Select Your Package

      Choose and purchase the certification package that fits your learning style and preferred learning path. ACAMS membership is required.

    • 2

      Prepare and Apply

      Complete your learning path and submit your application under “My Account.” Eligibility requires either 60 eligibility credits or an active CAMS designation. Your ACAMS membership provides access to credit‑earning resources, if needed.

    • 3

      Schedule and Pass

      Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions by email to schedule your exam. Pass the exam to earn your designation and maintain it through ongoing membership and education.

    Choose Your Package

    Recertify

    Stay current and keep your ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager designation active

    Recertification is required every three years to validate that each certified member is maintaining their commitment to continuing professional education. This ensures that the designation is current.

    To recertify, professionals must:

    1. Maintain an active ACAMS membership
    2. Meet the recertification credit requirements
    3. Pay a recertification fee and submit an online application

    For more information on the recertification process, download the Candidate Handbook.

    For certified members holding the Advanced CAMS‑Risk Management designation, please refer to your candidate handbook or the ACAMS recertification page for credit requirements. You can also visit My Account to check your status, track credits, and complete your recertification.

    Common questions about recertification

    FAQs

    What is the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification?

    The ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager is an advanced-level certification that provides comprehensive coverage of key financial crime risk management topics, including:

    • Navigating financial crime risks and emerging threats
    • Conducting a financial crime risk assessment
    • Building and sustaining a robust AFC risk management program
    • Risk management case studies

    The certification is delivered in a modern, modular format designed to be flexible, engaging, and accessible. It includes four self-paced courses, one of which focuses on risk management case studies to provide practical, hands-on application of the concepts learned. 

    The certification is currently offered in English only.

     

    What is the difference between an advanced certification and a specialist or associate-level certification?

    Advanced certifications are designed for experienced professionals. Candidates are expected to have a minimum of five years of relevant AML experience and a strong working knowledge of AML principles, standards, and frameworks. Having either a CAMS certification or the equivalent AML knowledge gained through professional experience and training is recommended. 

     

    Is the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification recognized globally or only in certain countries?

    ACAMS is an international organization, with over 120,000 members across 200+ jurisdictions. Our certifications are recognized by institutions, regulators, and governments worldwide.

    Who is eligible to take the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification?

    The full list of requirements can be found in the Candidate Handbook. However, at minimum, you will need to demonstrate you have 60 eligibility credits and be an ACAMS member. If you hold a CAMS certification or other advanced-level certification you will meet the eligibility requirements.

    How do I apply?

    Start by selecting and purchasing your ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager certification package – this includes your study materials and exam access. Once you’ve completed your learning path, submit your application online. You’ll need to meet ACAMS’ 60 credit eligibility requirement, which is based on your education, experience, certifications, and training. If you’re still earning credits, you can save your progress and return to the application later. You may also request special accommodations during the process.

    After your application is approved (typically within 5 business days), you’ll receive an email with instructions to schedule your exam.

     

    Do I need to login to apply?

    Yes. You’ll need an ACAMS account to access the application form. If you already have one, log in using your registered email and password. If you’re new to ACAMS, create a free account here. Note: This account is separate from ACAMS membership, which is required to apply for certification.

     

    Do I pay and apply at the same time, or can I do these separately?

    You’ll purchase your certification package first, which includes your learning materials and exam access. At this point, you can submit your application before or after completing your learning path. ACAMS will then verify your eligibility and approve your application before you can schedule the exam.

     

    Can I check the status of my ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager application after I have submitted it?

    Yes! Log in to see how your application is progressing.

     

    How long do I have to take the exam once I submit my application?

    You have six months from the day your application is approved. Once you receive the email with the authorization to test, you can schedule your test by logging on to the Pearson VUE exam scheduling system directly from the email. You can also go to the ACAMS website and access the Pearson VUE exam scheduling platform from your user account.

    How long is the exam?

    The exam consists of 90 questions and is three hours long.

     

    What is the structure of the exam? 

    The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions covering both theoretical knowledge and practical scenario-based problems. It is a timed, computer-based test lasting 3 hours, designed to evaluate your understanding and application of anti-financial crime principles related to risk management. 

     

    How do I schedule the exam?

    You must purchase the Certification package and then apply for the exam. Once your application is approved, you’ll be emailed with instructions on how to schedule your exam at your nearest Pearson VUE testing center or via online proctoring.

     

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

    Candidates receive their exam results immediately (pass or fail) at the conclusion of the test. If an organization pays for a candidate’s exam, they may ask for the result. If the candidate does not want this information released to their organization, they must notify ACAMS of their wish in writing.

    How do I access the study materials?

    Once your application is accepted and paid for, we’ll email you information on accessing the online study materials on our learning management system.

     

    What study materials are included?

    The study materials include a study guide, e-learning courses, post-assessments, and a practice exam as well as an optional virtual classroom upgrade, which will consist of four to six two-hour sessions weekly.

     

    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 the course. Please note that once you have completed the certification exam, the study materials will no longer be available for you to access via the learning management system.

    What is the difference between a practice exam and the certification exam?

    The practice exam questions follow the same format as the certification exam. There are two versions of the same practice exam, which you can retake as many times as you want:

    • One with answers revealed
    • One without 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.

     

    Should I take a practice exam?

    We advise you to take the practice exam to set yourself up for success. Developed to the same quality standard as the certification exam, the practice exam:

    • Exposes you to samples of certification exam questions
    • Builds your confidence in readiness for the certification exam
    • Helps you study in an interactive e-learning environment
    • Covers the topic areas included on the actual exam

     

    What is the difference between a post-assessment and a practice exam?

    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 exam-style questions to prepare for your certification exam.

     

    Where can I find my practice exam?

    Practice exams are part of your study material. Once you are registered, log into the ACAMS LMS, and find and click on your course under the “My Courses” section. Scroll and choose the practice exam. 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 the practice exams as many times as you want, even if you have answered 100% of the questions correctly.

    How long is my certification valid?

    Three years.

     

    What are the recertification requirements?

    To recertify, you will need show evidence of required recertification credits. Credits can be earned for professional experience and participation in continuing education. A minimum number of these credits must be earned from ACAMS training or events. You will also need to hold an active ACAMS membership. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for details about recertification requirements.

     

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

    Yes, as long as the credits were earned after passing the exam.

     

    Will the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification give me credits to put toward another certification or recertification?

    Yes, the training component of the program is worth 16 ACAMS credits and participation in the Virtual Classroom series will earn you additional credits.

     

    How do I recertify my Advanced-CAMS Risk Management (CAMS-RM) certification?

    For details about how to recertify your Advanced CAMS-RM certification visit the Recertification Page.

    'All examinations 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 examination with anyone, and that you will not record, copy, or disclose any examination question 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 Examination 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 examination, 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 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 examination result was obtained by way of irregularities or unfair advantage, no refunds for examination or membership fees will be provided.'

    For Singapore citizens or permanent residents, the ACAMS Certified AFC Risk Manager Certification is eligible for funding under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS). Visit "IBF-STS & IBF Level 2 Certification Requirement" to find out more.