Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager credential artwork

Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)

Validates knowledge of US banking compliance, including consumer protection rules, BSA/AML requirements and compliance management systems.

Summary

CRCM is the American Bankers Association's certification for experienced US bank compliance professionals. It covers the federal consumer protection and BSA/AML rules a compliance manager applies and how to run a compliance management system, and it signals senior compliance skill in banking.

Good fit if

  • You work in US bank compliance with three years' experience
  • You want a credential US bank examiners recognize
  • Your role covers consumer protection and BSA/AML rules

Look elsewhere if

  • You work in teller, lending or branch roles: that experience does not count
  • You only handle AML and sanctions work: CAMS
  • You want audit work, not bank compliance: CIA

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

Experience required before you apply

3 to 6 years of US compliance experience

Required

Your work must involve managing compliance risk programs or testing compliance controls, such as risk assessments, compliance audits, program management or policy oversight. Operational roles that carry out compliance controls do not count.

3 years + 2 training optionsAll within the last 5 years
6 yearsWithin the last 10 years, with 3 in the last 5

Code of Ethics and disclosure

Required

Sign the ABA Professional Certifications Code of Ethics and disclose any convictions or pleas involving fraud, embezzlement or securities violations.

Training options for the 3-year route: ABA Compliance School Foundational or Intermediate, the three Compliance Professionals Certificates, CRCM Exam Online Prep, an ABA In-Bank Compliance School, or 30 credits of compliance training tied to the exam outline.

Cost

USD · Standard pricing
$815
The exam fee is the same for ABA members and non-members; members pay $895 for Online Prep and $375 for the Reference Guide. A retake costs $500. After the application deadline, moving to a later window costs $175 and rescheduling within your window costs $50. If ABA denies your application, it refunds the fee minus $100.

What holders say

Renewal

CRCM is renewed every three years.

Validity
3 years
Continuing education
60 CE credits per cycle
Annual fee
Billed each October
Due by January 31

Report credits through ABA's Certification Manager and keep following the Code of Ethics.

Maintain the CRCM ↗

Alternatives

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist credential artwork
CAMS$2,470 required · Intermediate

For roles focused on AML, sanctions and financial crime rather than the full range of banking compliance rules.

Certified Fraud Examiner credential artwork
CFE$699 required · Intermediate

Better fit if your work centres on fraud investigation rather than compliance program management.

Certified Internal Auditor credential artwork
CIA$1,515 required · Intermediate

A broader internal audit credential for validating controls across the business.

FAQ

What are the CRCM eligibility requirements?

Three years of US compliance experience plus two ABA-approved training options within the last five years, or six years of experience in the last ten with three in the last five. Operational banking roles do not count.

How much does the CRCM exam cost?

$815 for members and non-members. A retake costs $500.

When can I take the CRCM exam?

In 2027 the windows are February, April, June, August and October, each with an application deadline about two months earlier.

What changed in the CRCM exam for 2026?

From June 2026 the outline has three domains, Core Compliance (37%), Foundational Compliance (23% primary and 14% ancillary rules) and Compliance Management System (26%).

Is the CRCM hard to pass?

Experienced compliance staff still fail it, usually on questions that ask for the first or best action. ABA does not publish a pass rate.

Last updated October 2026