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CAMS — Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist

Finance & Compliance

CAMS — Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist

The global gold standard for AML compliance professionals. In Jamaica, CAMS is the benchmark qualification cited by BOJ and FSC guidance for compliance officers in every regulated financial institution.

J$4.2MAvg Salary
3–6 MoTo Qualify
~400CAMS Holders in Jamaica
↑↑ CriticalDemand

What is the CAMS Designation?

The Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) is issued by ACAMS — the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists — the world’s largest anti-financial crime membership organisation. It is the most widely held AML certification globally, recognised by regulators, banks, and financial institutions in over 180 countries. In Jamaica, CAMS has become the de facto standard for AML/CFT compliance officers following BOJ and FSC guidance and Jamaica’s engagement with the FATF mutual evaluation process. Holding CAMS signals to employers and regulators that you possess the knowledge to design, implement, and oversee an effective AML/CFT programme.

Key Facts

Awarding BodyACAMS (Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists)
Exam Format3.5 hours — 120 questions
Prerequisites40 CAMS credits (education + experience)
RenewalEvery 3 years — 60 CPE credits
RecognitionGlobal — accepted by BOJ and FSC Jamaica  Regulator Approved

Why CAMS Matters in Jamaica

Jamaica’s placement on the FATF grey list triggered mandatory upgrades to AML/CFT frameworks across every regulated entity. The Bank of Jamaica and Financial Services Commission now mandate qualified AML compliance officers in all supervised institutions, and CAMS is the benchmark qualification referenced in BOJ supervisory guidance. Jamaica’s concerted effort to exit the grey list has created intense, sustained demand for CAMS-qualified professionals across banking, insurance, securities, remittance, and fintech sectors. Institutions that cannot demonstrate qualified AML personnel face regulatory sanction — making CAMS holders among the most sought-after compliance professionals in the Caribbean.

Salary Range in Jamaica

J$2.5M – J$10M per annum

Typical range for CAMS-qualified professionals across all roles and seniority levels in Jamaica.

Avg J$4.2M

Salary by Role

AML AnalystJ$2.5M – J$3.5M
AML OfficerJ$3.5M – J$5M
Compliance ManagerJ$4.5M – J$7M
MLROJ$6M – J$10M
AML ConsultantJ$4M – J$8M

Salary Premium by Sector

Banking85%
Fintech80%
Securities75%
Insurance70%
Remittance65%

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Career Pathway

1
Finance / Law DegreeFoundation qualification — accounting, law, or finance at UWI or an accredited institution
2
Entry Compliance RoleAML analyst, KYC officer, or junior compliance role at a bank, insurer, or securities dealer
3
CAMS ExamAccumulate 40 CAMS credits and pass the 120-question ACAMS examination at Pearson VUE Kingston
4
AML OfficerMove into a dedicated AML officer or compliance specialist role with a regulated entity
5
Compliance ManagerLead a compliance team, oversee AML policies, transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting
6
MLRO / CCOMoney Laundering Reporting Officer or Chief Compliance Officer — the peak of the compliance profession

Core Skills Assessed

AML Regulations92%
KYC / CDD Procedures90%
Sanctions Screening88%
Transaction Monitoring85%
Risk Assessment85%
Regulatory Reporting82%

Top Employers Hiring CAMS in Jamaica

Bank of Jamaica
Scotiabank Jamaica
NCB Financial Group
JN Bank
JMMB
Sagicor
Western Union Jamaica
MoneyGram Jamaica
FSC Jamaica
Tax Administration Jamaica

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How to Obtain Your CAMS

1
Accumulate 40 CAMS Credits
Credits come from education (a bachelor’s degree = 10 credits) and work experience (1 year of qualifying AML/compliance experience = 10 credits). A combination of both is the most common route.
2
Purchase the CAMS Study Guide
Buy the official ACAMS CAMS study guide and supplementary materials from acams.org. Online flash cards, practice exams, and virtual instructor-led training are also available.
3
Register for the Exam on the ACAMS Website
Create an ACAMS account, submit your credits for verification, and register for the exam. Select your preferred test date and the Kingston Pearson VUE location.
4
Sit the Exam at Pearson VUE Kingston
The 120-question, 3.5-hour exam is delivered at Pearson VUE test centres. There is a centre available to Jamaican candidates in Kingston. Results are delivered immediately at the test centre.
5
Pass with 75%+ Correct
The pass threshold is approximately 75% correct answers. CAMS certification is awarded on confirmation of your credit total and exam pass by ACAMS.
6
Recertify Every 3 Years — 60 CPE Credits
Earn 60 CPE credits over each 3-year recertification cycle. ACAMS Caribbean chapter events, BOJ/FSC-sponsored AML workshops, and ACAMS-approved online courses all qualify.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CAMS holders must earn 60 CPE credits per 3-year cycle to maintain certification. The ACAMS Caribbean Chapter regularly hosts events in Jamaica including workshops, seminars, and the annual ACAMS Caribbean conference. BOJ and FSC-sponsored AML/CFT training sessions, FATF typologies workshops, and ACAMS-approved online courses all count toward your CPE requirement. The ACAMS online learning platform provides a wide library of qualifying content accessible from Jamaica.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is CAMS so important in Jamaica right now?
Jamaica was placed on the FATF grey list due to deficiencies in AML/CFT enforcement. Every regulated financial institution has had to significantly upgrade its compliance function, creating enormous demand for CAMS-qualified professionals. Employers across banking, insurance, securities, and remittance are actively seeking CAMS holders, and the designation carries direct regulatory weight with BOJ and FSC.
Can I sit the exam without work experience?
You need 40 CAMS credits total to be eligible. If you lack work experience you can top up with education credits — a master’s degree provides additional credits on top of an undergraduate qualification. However, some practical experience in a compliance, banking, or legal environment is strongly recommended for both the exam and career progression.
Is CAMS recognised by BOJ and FSC Jamaica?
Yes — both the Bank of Jamaica and the Financial Services Commission reference CAMS as the benchmark AML qualification for compliance officers in supervised entities. It is the most clearly endorsed professional designation in Jamaica’s AML/CFT regulatory framework, making it a virtually essential credential for senior compliance roles in regulated institutions.

Related Professional Designations

CIACertified Internal Auditor CISACertified Information Systems Auditor ACCAChartered Certified Accountants ACIIChartered Insurance Institute Attorney-at-LawLegal Practice in Jamaica

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Join hundreds of compliance professionals in Jamaica who have earned the global gold standard in AML certification.

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