ACAMS training and CAMS certification courses
ACAMS offers two routes to the CAMS exam: a self-study package with a study guide, flashcards, review questions and a practice exam, or the same package with a Virtual Classroom of six two-hour live online classes. The standard package costs US$2,095 in the private sector; the Virtual Classroom version costs US$2,495. Training hours also count towards the 40 eligibility credits.
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ACAMS certification training: two routes
ACAMS describes the choice as self-study or enhanced learning paths. Both include the exam. The self-study route is the standard package; the enhanced route adds live teaching through the Virtual Classroom.
- Standard package — electronic study guide (PDF), online flashcards, review questions, practice exam and the CAMS exam: US$2,095 private sector, US$1,595 public sector
- Package with Virtual Classroom — the same plus six two-hour live online classes: US$2,495 private sector, US$2,095 public sector
Source: ACAMS — CAMS Candidate Handbook (VCB26.16). Checked 10 October 2026.
The ACAMS certification course in the Virtual Classroom
The Virtual Classroom is the instructor-led ACAMS certification course for CAMS: six live online classes of two hours each. The CAMS page lists sessions for different regions and in several languages, but it showed only past dates when we checked, so confirm the current schedule with ACAMS before you choose this route.
The Handbook also lists two elective courses in the package. They sit outside the exam blueprint, so treat them as background rather than exam preparation.
Source: ACAMS — CAMS certification. Checked 10 October 2026.
How ACAMS training counts towards eligibility and renewal
Training is not only preparation. For the 40 eligibility credits you need to apply, each hour of financial-crime training earns one credit, with no upper limit.
After you pass, ACAMS training matters again: at least 12 of the 60 recertification credits in each three-year cycle must come from ACAMS. ACAMS credits come from ACAMS-hosted virtual classrooms, webinars and events, and only live activities of at least one continuous hour count.
Source: ACAMS — CAMS Candidate Handbook (VCB26.16). Checked 10 October 2026.
Other ACAMS courses: AML Foundations and Fraud Foundations
Not every ACAMS course leads to CAMS. AML Foundations is a learning path that ends with a short assessment and a certificate in anti-money laundering. Fraud Foundations is online and self-paced: about four hours of coursework, to be finished within four weeks, with a 20-question final assessment, for US$595 (members) or US$795 (non-members).
These ACAMS courses are certificates, not the CAMS certification. Their hours can still count as training towards the eligibility credits.
Source: ACAMS — Fraud Foundations Certificate. Checked 10 October 2026.
Are there ACAMS free courses?
The CAMS page lists no free course for the exam; the study materials and classes come with the paid packages. If you see ACAMS free courses advertised, check on acams.org whether the offer is really from ACAMS and whether it counts towards your eligibility or recertification credits.
Source: ACAMS — CAMS certification. Checked 10 October 2026.
Checking your readiness after the course
A course tells you what is on the exam; practice under exam conditions tells you whether you are ready. Certsqill’s CAMS question bank has expert-developed questions, an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per domain.
CAMS training & courses: questions people ask
What ACAMS training is available for CAMS?
A self-study package (study guide, flashcards, review questions, practice exam, exam) and a package that adds six two-hour live online classes. Source: ACAMS CAMS page, checked 10 October 2026.
How much do ACAMS certification courses cost?
The standard package costs US$2,095 (private sector) or US$1,595 (public sector); with the Virtual Classroom, US$2,495 or US$2,095. Both include the exam. Source: ACAMS CAMS Candidate Handbook, checked 10 October 2026.
Does ACAMS training count towards eligibility?
Yes. Each hour of financial-crime training earns one eligibility credit, with no limit. You need 40 credits to apply.
Is the ACAMS course online?
Yes. The Virtual Classroom is six live online classes, and the study guide, flashcards and practice exam are electronic.
Are there free ACAMS courses for CAMS?
The CAMS page lists none, checked 10 October 2026. The CAMS study materials come with the paid packages.
