CAMS Recertification 2026: 60 Credits Every 3 Years
CAMS holders recertify every three years with 60 credits, at least 12 from ACAMS, an active ACAMS membership and a fee that rises from US$200 to US$300 if you wait.
The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, known as ACAMS, requires holders of the CAMS credential to recertify every three years with 60 credits, at least 12 of them from ACAMS, while keeping an active ACAMS membership. The recertification fee is US$200 if you apply by 1 October, US$250 by 15 December and US$300 by 31 March, and missing the 31 March deadline means the designation expires. This guide sets out what ACAMS publishes, notes where its web page and its candidate handbook differ and says what we could not confirm. See also our AML CPD for accountants guide and our CPD for accountants guide.
At a glance
| Requirement | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Credits | 60 credits over a three-year cycle |
| From ACAMS | At least 12 of the 60 must come from ACAMS |
| Membership | An active ACAMS membership is required |
| Fee: by 1 October | US$200 |
| Fee: by 15 December | US$250 |
| Fee: by 31 March | US$300 |
| Missed deadline | Missing 31 March means the designation expires |
| Audit | The candidate handbook says recertifying holders are audited, so keep documents but do not upload them with the application |
The 60-credit requirement
ACAMS says CAMS holders recertify every three years, and need 60 credits over the cycle. At least 12 of the 60 must come from ACAMS. The remaining credits can come from other categories that ACAMS recognises. The handbook describes credits for courses and education at one credit per hour, with caps on categories such as work experience and ACAMS membership.
When credits count
According to the ACAMS web page, credits count only if you earn them after the date you were certified or last recertified. Credits above 60 do not roll over to the next cycle, according to the candidate handbook, so plan to finish near 60 rather than far above it.
Education from other providers
The handbook says education from providers other than ACAMS must be live or synchronous, relate to anti-financial-crime topics and last at least one continuous hour to earn credit. Check each course against that description before you book it, and keep the certificate.
Ethics credits
The handbook allows up to two credits for ethics. ACAMS treats them as optional, so there is no ethics hour minimum in the way that many accountancy bodies set one.
Fees and deadlines
The recertification fee depends on when you apply: US$200 by 1 October, US$250 by 15 December and US$300 by 31 March. Applications are made online with the fee. The handbook also lists recertification by exam at US$299 and an extension request at US$100. Active ACAMS membership is required throughout, and the membership fee is separate.
What happens if you miss the deadline
ACAMS says that missing the 31 March deadline means your designation will expire. The handbook adds that losing your ACAMS membership also revokes the certification, and that lapsed holders must retake the exam. An extension is available once in a career, for qualifying circumstances, and should be requested well before the October date.
Where the sources differ
The candidate handbook, version VCB26.16, which carries no date, says credits must be earned by 15 December and mentions a US$50 late fee after that date. The web page lists a 31 March late tier at US$300 and does not mention a US$50 fee. The handbook also says applications after 31 March are not accepted while describing a further three-month period, which looks inconsistent. We could not reconcile these, so ask ACAMS which cut-off applies to you.
What we could not confirm
We did not read the ACAMS page for specialist-level certifications, and neither source we read is dated. We did not confirm the membership fee. Planning rule: aim to finish your credits and apply before 1 October, which avoids the questions about later dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many credits do I need to recertify as a CAMS?
60 credits over a three-year cycle, at least 12 of them from ACAMS.
How much does CAMS recertification cost?
US$200 if you apply by 1 October, US$250 by 15 December and US$300 by 31 March.
Do I need to stay an ACAMS member?
Yes. An active ACAMS membership is required for recertification.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
ACAMS says that missing 31 March means your designation will expire, and lapsed holders must retake the exam.
Do extra credits roll over?
According to the candidate handbook, credits above 60 do not roll over.
Finding courses that count
Learnsignal publishes accounting, tax, audit, ethics and finance courses in its CPD and CPE library. Before you pay for any course, check the awarding body's own rules on what it accepts, and keep the certificate and the course details. Confirm the current rules with ACAMS before you plan your recertification.
Source: ACAMS recertification page (acams.org) and the ACAMS candidate handbook (version VCB26.16, undated), checked October 2026.
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