ACAMS Today recently sat down with Angela Salter, the chief product officer at ACAMS, to discuss the launch of the updated Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) program. Salter joined ACAMS in January 2015 with extensive experience in leadership, strategic business and international market development roles with some of the world’s foremost information services and digital media organizations serving the financial, government, consulting and professional advisory communities.

Prior to ACAMS, Salter held leadership roles with organizations including Thomson Reuters, Hoppenstedt Bonnier, Moody’s and Financial Times where she oversaw the implementation of step change initiatives in go to market, product, solutions and content strategies with a focus on delivering sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and mutually beneficial customer relationships. Salter graduated with a BA Hons. in Spanish from Nottingham University and studied for an MSc. in Marketing at Kingston University.

ACAMS Today (AT): What led to ACAMS updating the CAMS program with the new version of CAMS?

Angela Salter (AS): Anti-money laundering (AML) is a rapidly changing regulatory and technological environment, with AFC professionals taking on increasing responsibilities and managing multiple and emerging threats. Our new CAMS update underlines ACAMS’ commitment to supporting the AFC community by designing our program and training to meet these evolving demands. As such, the addition of a new module on tools and technologies is a natural extension to the CAMS program.

The new CAMS program will offer a modernized learning experience, including:

• a modular learning journey
• new e-learning courses designed to supplement the clearly laid out study guide, providing the right balance between theoretical and practical knowledge-based training
• a robust exam simulator to help candidates practice and prepare for the exam
• as well as a range of industry and jurisdiction elective courses designed to supplement the core CAMS program and offer a more personalized training experience

The latest version of CAMS continues to serve as a globally respected benchmark credential, testing the core knowledge and competencies needed by AML practitioners working anywhere in the world today by:

• Illustrating individual credibility and professional competence
• Enhancing career development opportunities
• Strengthening organizations’ AML training programs and bench strength
• Demonstrating regulatory alignment and risk mitigation capabilities

AT: Could you share with us how long did updating the CAMS certification courses outlines, materials and exam questions take and what did that entail?

AS: First of all, we are thrilled to be able to offer an updated CAMS certification program to our membership. Updating such an important program for us and for the community required several months, which included collaboration with subject-matter experts around the world from different industry segments. We have introduced new study support tools such as the simulator which will offer more than 1,200 review and exam-style questions. We have redesigned the study guide, built supplementary eLearning and provided additional reference terms. Our materials are created in outline, developed as initial drafts, and undergo multiple review stages, all of which takes time, but ultimately results in a high-quality program that the community can trust.

AT: Could you tell us what languages are available for the new CAMS?

AS: First, we are launching our new CAMS program in English with translations following in 2026 including Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish as well as several other languages. The current CAMS program will continue to be available in 12 languages until the translations are released. Anyone choosing to take CAMS in a non-English language will be offered the option to access to the new English elective courses if they would like to.

AT: What are some of the new features that the updated CAMS program offers that the previous version did not?

AS: The updated CAMS program offers:

1. An exam simulator with +1,200 exam-style and review questions, the convenience to take the full exam multiple times or focus on specific topics that candidates may find hard. Candidates also see the rationale for the right answers, so they understand what mistakes they made and can learn from it. The user interface is similar to the exam they take.
2. The eLearning courses, which are supplemental to the Study Guide, now delve into more difficult concepts with focus on scenario-based training.
3. The elective courses allow for a more customized training experience where the candidate can choose a jurisdiction of their choice, and an industry sector of their choice, to gain more insights into AML frameworks in their jurisdiction and case studies in their industry segment.
4. A new module on tools and technologies to understand the latest developments in the anti-financial crime (AFC) industry and equip the next generation of compliance officers with the concepts and practical knowledge to lead and participate in making the right technology-led choices for their organizations to fight financial crime. With artificial intelligence/machine learning technologies becoming more mainstream, this module helps compliance officers understand their choices and the risks and opportunities that come with their choices.
5. Virtual classes, live prep and other live virtual or face-to-face delivery of CAMS have been transformed, helping candidates gain a deeper understanding of the subject and be well prepared for the exam.

AT: Why should AFC professionals pursue CAMS certification? What benefits does it provide?

AS: The CAMS certification provides many benefits. I will highlight four.

First, Global Recognition: CAMS is a widely respected AML credential recognized by regulators and institutions in over 195 jurisdictions and stands as a global benchmark of competence.

Second, Career Growth: CAMS enhances professional credibility, opens doors to the next role and connects professionals to a global AFC network.

Third, Practical and Relevant Learning: CAMS offers training that is practical, relatable and experiential.

Fourth, Organizational Value: Certified teams strengthen compliance programs, improve regulatory trust and ensure a consistent knowledge base while being effective and efficient.

AT: What are you most excited about with the new CAMS?

AS: Everything! We have scrutinized and evaluated. Every change we have made has involved careful consideration and brings pedagogical best practices in learning, combined with subject-matter expertise in AML. The program will better serve our AFC community.

AT: Where can AFC professionals enroll for their CAMS exam?

AS: You can find full details for enrolling by visiting the ACAMS website at https://www.acams.org/en/certifications/cams-certification or contacting your ACAMS relationship manager.

Interviewed by Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS, editor-in-chief, ACAMS, editor@acams.org