What is CFCS?
CFCS (Certified Financial Crime Specialist) is the certification of ACFCS, the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists. Instead of focusing only on money laundering, it covers the whole range of financial crime: money laundering and terrorist financing, fraud, sanctions, bribery and corruption, cyber-enabled crime and tax evasion.
Who is it for?
- Financial crime generalists whose role spans AML, fraud and sanctions
- Investigators in banks, fintechs, law enforcement and regulators
- Auditors and consultants
- Compliance staff at smaller firms where one team covers everything
Eligibility
- 40 eligibility credits from professional experience, training, education and professional certifications
- A full-time financial crime job title is not required
- Use the eligibility matrix in the CFCS handbook to estimate your credits
Exam format
| Questions | 135 scenario-based multiple-choice questions |
|---|---|
| Time | 4 hours |
| Delivery | Online with webcam proctoring (Kryterion/Webassessor) or at a Kryterion test centre |
| Pass mark | set by ACFCS; check the handbook |
Exam domains
| Money laundering and terrorist financing | ~25% |
|---|---|
| Fraud | ~20% |
| Sanctions | ~15% |
| Bribery and corruption | ~15% |
| Cyber-enabled crime | ~10% |
| Tax evasion and transparency | ~15% |
Cost in 2026
| Certification package, private sector (incl. 1 year membership) | US$1,395 |
|---|---|
| Certification package, government sector | US$1,045 |
| Retake | US$225 after 60 days |
| Recertification every 3 years | US$150 (late US$200) plus 60 CE credits |
Included: Study materials, online training, one year of ACFCS membership and the exam.
Prices from ACFCS, in US dollars, checked November 2026. Prices change and can differ by region; confirm on the official site before you buy.
How to register, step by step
- Check your eligibility credits with the CFCS handbook.
- Buy the CFCS certification package.
- Submit the CFCS application with supporting documents to ACFCS.
- After approval you receive an exam voucher code.
- Book the exam on Webassessor (online or test centre) and apply the voucher.
- Recertify every three years with 60 continuing education credits and active membership.
Retakes: Retakes are possible after a 60-day waiting period for US$225.
Official links
Preparing for CFCS
Read our complete CFCS preparation guide, see what the syllabus and modules cover, and how renewal works. Then test yourself: our CFCS bank has 18 exam-style questions with explanations.
Find out where you stand
Free 10-question CFCS test, scored by exam domain. No account needed.
Independent guide, not affiliated with ACFCS. Facts checked November 2026; always confirm on the official website.