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Official specifications published by ACAMS
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CKYCA Exam Topics and Domains
CKYCA is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with Beneficial ownership registries, Transaction monitoring systems, Account analytics platforms, Adverse media databases, and more.
Customer Identification and Verification
Assess customer information needs by determining customer type
Assess the information needed by determining customer type, then research sources as needed to complete gaps
Complete appropriate verification procedures
Complete appropriate verification procedures for different customer types and risk levels
Assess nature and purpose of the account
Assess nature and purpose of the account, with particular attention to shell companies and tax compliance
Identify UBO and connected/third parties
Identify UBO and connected/third parties accurately through ownership structures
Review and reconsider prior information based on account activity
Review and re-consider existing information based on account activity patterns and changes
Customer Risk Rating
Evaluate customer risk based on core risk categories
Evaluate customer risk based on core risk categories (customer, product, country, channel)
Recognize and explain key red flags
Recognize and explain key red flags that could signal money laundering, sanctions evasion, bribery/corruption, tax evasion, etc.
Analyze risk of assets under management
Analyze risk of assets under management and their impact on overall customer risk
Assess risk scoring against company risk appetite and escalation requirements
Assess risk scoring against company risk assessment/risk appetite and escalation requirements
Customer Screening
Screen for sanctions compliance
Screen customers against relevant sanctions lists for compliance
Explore primary and secondary sources for customer information
Explore primary and secondary sources for customer information (including adverse media) and assess reliability and relevance of information
Distinguish between material and immaterial hits
Distinguish between material and immaterial hits coming from sanctions checks and transaction monitoring, then validate as appropriate
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
Identify and obtain details of source of wealth
Identify and obtain details of source of wealth for high-risk customers
Examine complex ownership structures for UBO
Examine complex ownership structures to identify ultimate beneficial owners
Determine customer retention, termination, or escalation recommendation
Determine based on evidence of risk level whether to recommend retaining, terminating customer, or escalating for further EDD
Perform account activity reviews
Perform comprehensive account activity reviews as part of enhanced due diligence
Customer Profile Documentation and Presentation
Apply data privacy requirements and explain ramifications of data errors
Apply data privacy requirements and explain ramification of data errors in customer profiles
Present effectively crafted profiles with objectivity and precision
Present effectively crafted profiles with objectivity and precision
Create an audit trail
Create and maintain comprehensive audit trails for all KYC/CDD activities
Review and update customer profile based on periodic review or event triggers
Review/update customer profile based on periodic review or event triggers
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CKYCA earns the CKYCA - Certified Know Your Customer Associate certification. It sits in the Know Your Customer / Customer Due Diligence track.
- CAMS - Certified Anti-Money Laundering SpecialistCKYCA earns 8 ACAMS credits that count toward CAMS eligibility
- CGSS - Certified Global Sanctions SpecialistCKYCA earns 8 ACAMS credits that count toward CGSS eligibility
- CCAS - Certified Cryptoasset Anti-Financial Crime Specialist
- CAFS - Certified Anti-Fraud Specialist
- CTMA - Certified Transaction Monitoring AssociateComplementary associate-level certification covering transaction monitoring, which works alongside KYC skills
- CAFCA - Certified Anti-Financial Crime AssociateBroader associate-level certification covering anti-financial crime fundamentals
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CKYCA is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-02
- Electronic KYC (e-KYC) Non-face-to-face verification methods and digital onboarding are increasingly relevant to exam content
- AI-Powered Sanctions Screening AI and machine learning are enhancing sanctions screening accuracy, reducing false positives, and affecting how analysts validate hits
- Beneficial Ownership Registries More jurisdictions are implementing beneficial ownership registries, changing how UBO identification is performed
Who should take this exam?
- 6-12 months experience in KYC/CDD roles
- Frontline or operations experience in customer onboarding
- Basic understanding of anti-money laundering concepts