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What is the primary purpose of transaction monitoring in a financial institution?

To approve customer wire transfers in real time

To detect unusual or potentially suspicious activity that may indicate money laundering or other financial crime

To replace customer due diligence and onboarding screening

To compute regulatory capital ratios

to track

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CAMS Exam Guide 2026: FREE ACAMS Study Plan + Practice28 min read

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CTMA Exam

100

Exam Questions

ACAMS

3 hours

Exam Duration

ACAMS / Pearson VUE

~$995

Program Cost (member)

ACAMS

Scaled

Cut Score

ACAMS does not publish raw passing percentage

Annual

Recertification

Active ACAMS membership + 2 CE credits/year

Pearson VUE

Delivery

Practice exam included via ACAMS LMS

The CTMA is a 100-question, 3-hour exam delivered at Pearson VUE for early-career transaction monitoring professionals. ACAMS sets a scaled cut score and includes a practice exam through the ACAMS LMS. Standard fee is approximately $995 with the ACAMS member discount. The credential is maintained free of charge through active ACAMS membership and 2 continuing education credits per year.

Sample CTMA Practice Questions

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1What is the primary purpose of transaction monitoring in a financial institution?

A.To approve customer wire transfers in real time

B.To detect unusual or potentially suspicious activity that may indicate money laundering or other financial crime

C.To replace customer due diligence and onboarding screening

D.To compute regulatory capital ratios

Explanation: Transaction monitoring is a back-end control that reviews customer activity (post-execution or near real-time) to detect patterns inconsistent with the customer's expected behavior or known typologies of money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion, and fraud. Alerts feed an investigation workflow that may result in a SAR.

2Which U.S. statute is the foundational anti-money laundering law that established recordkeeping and reporting requirements for financial institutions?

A.Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

B.Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010

C.Bank Secrecy Act of 1970

D.Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999

Explanation: The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, also called the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, is the cornerstone U.S. AML law. It requires financial institutions to keep records and file reports (CTRs, SARs) useful in detecting money laundering, tax evasion, and other criminal activity. Later laws (Annunzio-Wylie, USA PATRIOT Act, AMLA) amended and expanded the BSA.

3Which form is filed with FinCEN to report cash transactions exceeding $10,000 in a single business day?

A.FinCEN Form 111 (SAR)

B.FinCEN Form 112 (CTR)

C.IRS Form 8300

D.FinCEN Form 105 (CMIR)

Explanation: FinCEN Form 112, the Currency Transaction Report (CTR), must be filed for each cash transaction (deposit, withdrawal, exchange, payment) in excess of $10,000, including multiple cash transactions by or on behalf of one person that aggregate to more than $10,000 in a single business day. The CTR is filed within 15 days of the reportable transaction.

4A Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) for a U.S. depository institution must generally be filed within how many days of detection of facts that may constitute a basis for filing?

A.10 days

B.15 days

C.30 days

D.60 days

Explanation: Under 31 CFR 1020.320, a depository institution must file a SAR (FinCEN Form 111) no later than 30 calendar days after initial detection of facts that may constitute a basis for filing. If no suspect is identified on the date of detection, the deadline can be extended an additional 30 days (60 total) to identify a suspect — but never more than 60 days.

5What are the three classic stages of money laundering?

A.Acquisition, concealment, repatriation

B.Placement, layering, integration

C.Deposit, transfer, withdrawal

D.Detection, investigation, prosecution

Explanation: The classic three-stage money laundering model is Placement (introducing illicit cash into the financial system), Layering (complex transactions to obscure the source — wires, shell companies, multiple jurisdictions), and Integration (returning the laundered funds to the legitimate economy through real estate, businesses, luxury goods).

6Which term describes breaking a single large cash transaction into multiple smaller deposits to evade the $10,000 CTR threshold?

A.Layering

B.Smurfing/Structuring

C.Integration

D.Aggregation

Explanation: Structuring (also called smurfing when multiple individuals are used) is the practice of breaking transactions into amounts under the $10,000 reporting threshold to evade CTR filing. Structuring is a federal crime under 31 USC 5324 regardless of whether the underlying funds are illicit.

7Multiple cash deposits of $9,500 made by the same customer at different branches on the same day should be:

A.Ignored because each is under $10,000

B.Aggregated for CTR purposes if they total more than $10,000 in a single business day, and a SAR considered for structuring

C.Only reported if the customer admits illegal intent

D.Reported only after 30 days of similar activity

Explanation: FinCEN rules require aggregation of cash transactions by or on behalf of the same person across the institution in a single business day. If aggregated cash exceeds $10,000, a CTR must be filed. The pattern (sub-threshold deposits across branches) is a classic structuring red flag, and a SAR for suspected structuring should also be evaluated.

8What is the SAR dollar threshold for a U.S. depository institution when the suspect is identified?

A.$2,000

B.$3,000

C.$5,000

D.$10,000

Explanation: For depository institutions, a SAR is required for transactions aggregating $5,000 or more where a suspect is identified, and $25,000 or more (regardless of suspect identification) for known/suspected criminal activity. SARs are also required when the institution knows, suspects, or has reason to suspect a violation regardless of amount in some cases.

9Which 2001 law expanded U.S. AML requirements, including Section 326 (Customer Identification Program), Section 312 (correspondent/private banking due diligence), and Section 314 (information sharing)?

A.Annunzio-Wylie Act

B.USA PATRIOT Act

C.AML Act of 2020

D.Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Explanation: The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 substantially amended the BSA. Key provisions include §326 CIP, §312 enhanced due diligence for correspondent and private banking accounts, §314(a) law enforcement information requests, §314(b) voluntary information sharing among institutions, and §319 forfeiture of funds in U.S. correspondent accounts.

10Which 2020 law (passed as part of the NDAA) modernized U.S. AML rules and authorized the FinCEN beneficial ownership registry?

A.AML Act of 2020 (AMLA)

B.USA PATRIOT Act of 2001

C.Annunzio-Wylie Act of 1992

D.Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994

Explanation: The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA), enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2021, was the most significant overhaul of U.S. AML law since the USA PATRIOT Act. AMLA established the Corporate Transparency Act (beneficial ownership reporting), expanded whistleblower protections, and emphasized risk-based, technology-enabled compliance.

About the CTMA Exam

The ACAMS Certified Transaction Monitoring Associate (CTMA) is a global, early-career credential for professionals working in or supporting a financial institution's transaction monitoring function. It validates foundational competence across TM fundamentals (BSA, USA PATRIOT Act §314 information sharing, AMLA 2020), detection scenarios and typologies (structuring, smurfing, rapid movement, velocity, peer group), alert triage and investigation workflow, SAR/CTR filing quality (FinCEN Form 111 / Form 112), common money laundering methods (cash-intensive businesses, MSBs, shell companies, TBML, real estate), emerging typologies (crypto mixers, ATM cash-out, BEC, romance/pig butchering, sanctions evasion), and the ACAMS Code of Ethics.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (Pearson VUE)

Passing Score

Scaled cut score by ACAMS

Exam Fee

~$995 (ACAMS member discount) (ACAMS)

CTMA Exam Content Outline

15%

Transaction Monitoring Fundamentals

Purpose and scope of transaction monitoring, BSA roots (1970), USA PATRIOT Act (§326 CIP, §312 correspondent, §314 sharing, §319 forfeiture), AMLA 2020, three lines of defense, and the BSA Officer role.

25%

Detection Scenarios and Typologies

Threshold-based, peer-group, behavioral, and velocity scenarios; structuring/smurfing; rapid movement / pass-through; high-risk geography (FATF, OFAC); high-risk customer/product; alert tuning and false positive management.

20%

Alert Triage and Investigation Process

Alert triage workflow, KYC review, transactional and OSINT review, escalation hierarchy, §314(b) information sharing, look-back reviews, network/graph analytics, and investigation documentation.

15%

SAR Filing Process and Quality

FinCEN Form 111 (SAR), 30/60-day deadlines, $5,000 / $25,000 / $2,000 thresholds (depository vs MSB), 5 Ws and How narrative structure, supporting documentation, continuing activity SARs, 5-year retention, and tipping-off prohibition.

15%

Common Money Laundering Methods

Three stages (placement / layering / integration); cash-intensive businesses; MSBs and FinCEN registration; shell companies and beneficial ownership; trade-based money laundering (over/under-invoicing, multiple invoicing, phantom shipments); real estate (FinCEN GTOs); hawala / IVTS; nested correspondent banking.

Emerging Typologies

Crypto mixers and bridges (Tornado Cash designation), ATM cash-out attacks, business email compromise (BEC), romance scams and pig butchering, ransomware-related payments, and sanctions evasion (front companies, ship-to-ship transfers, AIS gaps).

ACAMS Code of Ethics

Integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and professional behavior; reporting unethical conduct; SAR confidentiality and tipping off; ongoing professional competence and continuing education.

How to Pass the CTMA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled cut score by ACAMS
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours (Pearson VUE)
Exam fee: ~$995 (ACAMS member discount)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CTMA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the three stages of money laundering (placement, layering, integration) and be able to classify scenario examples into each stage

2Memorize the U.S. core thresholds: CTR (Form 112) at $10,000 cash in a single business day filed within 15 days; SAR (Form 111) at $5,000 with subject identified, $25,000 without, filed within 30 days (60 with extension)

3Know the USA PATRIOT Act sections cold — §326 CIP, §312 correspondent / private banking, §314(a) law-enforcement queries, §314(b) voluntary information sharing, §319 forfeiture

4Practice classifying detection scenarios — threshold, peer-group, velocity, rapid movement / pass-through, high-risk geography — and identify which typology each targets

5Drill the 5 Ws and How for SAR narratives and the absolute prohibition on tipping off (31 USC 5318(g)(2))

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACAMS CTMA exam?

The Certified Transaction Monitoring Associate (CTMA) is ACAMS' early-career credential for professionals in or supporting a financial institution's transaction monitoring function. It tests fundamentals (BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, AMLA), detection scenarios and typologies, alert triage and investigation workflow, SAR/CTR filing process and quality, common ML methods, emerging typologies, and the ACAMS Code of Ethics.

How many questions are on the CTMA exam and how long is it?

The CTMA contains 100 multiple-choice questions delivered in approximately 3 hours at a Pearson VUE test center. ACAMS uses a scaled cut score and does not publicly disclose pass rates. A practice exam is included via the ACAMS Learning Management System.

How much does CTMA cost?

The standard CTMA program is approximately $995 with the ACAMS member discount. Pricing varies by region and current ACAMS promotions, so verify on the official CTMA page on acams.org before enrolling.

How is the CTMA different from CAMS?

CAMS is the broader, mid-career AML certification (120 questions, multi-domain) covering global AML/CFT programs end-to-end. CTMA is an early-career, role-specific credential focused on transaction monitoring practice — detection scenarios, alert triage, investigation workflow, SAR drafting, and TM-relevant typologies.

Does CTMA expire?

Per ACAMS, CTMA holders maintain the credential through active ACAMS membership and 2 continuing education credits per year (free recertification when these conditions are met). Always verify current recertification rules on the CTMA page on acams.org.

Who should take the CTMA exam?

CTMA is designed for early-career or transitioning professionals working in or supporting transaction monitoring teams — alert investigators, KYC analysts, fraud-AML hybrids, and operations staff. It is also useful for new hires at banks, fintechs, MSBs, and crypto exchanges who need a foundational TM credential before pursuing CAMS.