CAFP study guide
CAFP · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Prevention Professional (CAFP) is a professional credential for practitioners who need working command of anti-money laundering and financial crime prevention: analysts, compliance and risk officers, investigators, auditors, onboarding and KYC specialists, and staff moving into financial intelligence roles. It signals that a holder can apply the international standards framework and the legal architecture behind it to real customer files, alerts, and reports rather than merely recite definitions. The CAFP study guide has 9 sections and about 3,572 words.
01AML/CFT Fundamentals, Terminology, and the International Standards Framework
This domain tests the vocabulary and architecture of global AML/CFT: the three stages of money laundering, the difference between money laundering and terrorist financing, and how FATF, the Wolfsberg Group and the Basel Committee shape national rules. Expect definitional questions and scenario questions that ask you to classify conduct or identify the standard that applies.
430 words, about 2 min02Legal and Regulatory Framework: BSA/AML, USA PATRIOT Act, AML Directives, and Cross-Border Regulatory Obligations
This domain tests the statutory and regulatory layer: the US Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the EU AML Directives, and how cross-border obligations interact. Questions often ask which report, threshold or section applies.
420 words, about 2 min03Customer Due Diligence, Enhanced Due Diligence, and Beneficial Ownership Identification
This domain tests the CDD lifecycle: identifying the customer, verifying identity, identifying beneficial owners, understanding the relationship and monitoring it. EDD questions focus on PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, complex structures and source of funds/wealth.
430 words, about 2 min04Transaction Monitoring, Suspicious Activity Detection, and Reporting (SARs/STRs)
This domain tests how institutions detect, investigate and report suspicious activity. Expect questions on monitoring scenarios, alert triage, red flags, SAR/STR timing, confidentiality and continuing activity.
404 words, about 2 min05Sanctions, Embargoes, and Screening (OFAC, UN, EU, and Other Regimes)
This domain tests sanctions screening: who publishes lists, what is prohibited, how ownership rules work, and how to handle matches. Expect questions distinguishing sanctions from AML, and OFAC from UN/EU regimes.
386 words, about 2 min06Fraud, Bribery and Corruption, Tax Evasion, and Other Financial Crimes Typologies
This domain tests typologies beyond classic money laundering: fraud, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, and related crimes such as trade-based money laundering. Questions ask you to recognise red flags and the legal framework.
398 words, about 2 min07AML Compliance Program Governance: Risk Assessment, Policies, Training, Audit, and the Role of the Compliance Officer
This domain tests programme design and governance: the elements of an AML programme, the enterprise-wide risk assessment (EWRA), training, independent audit and the compliance officer's authority. The classic five pillars are: a designated compliance officer; written policies and procedures; ongoing training; independent testing/audit; and customer due diligence.
375 words, about 2 min08Financial Intelligence, Investigations, and Information Sharing
This domain tests the intelligence cycle, FIU roles, investigative techniques and lawful information sharing. Expect questions on FinCEN, the Egmont Group, Section 314(a)/(b) and cross-border sharing.
345 words, about 2 min09Emerging Risks and Technologies: Virtual Assets, Fintech, and Digital Identity
This domain tests how new technologies change AML/CFT risk: virtual assets, VASPs, the travel rule, fintech models and digital identity. Expect questions on FATF Recommendation 15, blockchain analytics and synthetic identity.
384 words, about 2 min