Validates knowledge of US banking compliance, including consumer protection rules, BSA/AML requirements and compliance management systems.
The CRCM exam tests whether you can apply US banking laws and run a compliance program, often by choosing the first or best action in a scenario. Review the outline against your own experience, study the rules you use least and practise judgment questions.
1Understand the exam
Syllabus
Domain 1Core compliance37%
Core Regulation 1Electronic Fund Transfers Act / Regulation E
Core Regulation 2Truth in Savings Act / Regulation DD
Core Regulation 3Equal Credit Opportunity Act / Regulation B
Core Regulation 4Flood Insurance Laws and Regulations including Interagency Q&A
Core Regulation 5Truth in Lending Act / Regulation Z
Core Regulation 6Home Mortgage Disclosure Act / Regulation C
Core Regulation 7Community Reinvestment Act, Implementing Regulations and Interagency Q&A
Core Regulation 8Unfair, Deceptive, or (Abusive) Acts or Practices (UDAP/UDAAP)
Core Regulation 9Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
Example scenario: A customer reports an unauthorized debit card transaction 45 days after the statement date. Which Regulation E timing rules decide the bank's liability and next steps?
Domain 2Foundational compliance, primary rules23%
1Consumer Leasing Act / Regulation M
2ESIGN Act
3Expedited Funds Availability Act / Regulation CC
4Fair Credit Reporting Act / Regulations V and FF
5Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
6Fair Housing Act
7Federal Benefit Payment Garnishment Rule
8FFIEC Joint Overdraft Guidance
9FFIEC Social Media Guidance
10Information Security Provisions of GLBA / FFIEC Guidelines
11Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks (Insider Lending) / Regulation O
12Interstate Branching and Banking Efficiency Act
13Military Lending Act
14Office of Foreign Asset Control Regulations
15Privacy of Consumer Financial Information / Regulation P
16Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act / Regulation X
Example scenario: A new rule takes effect in six months and affects three business lines. What should the compliance manager do first, and how would you show the board the bank is on track?
Multiple choice. Choose the single best answer from four options.
CertUp example
A customer disputes a debit card charge and tells the bank about it by phone. What should the bank do first?
Wait for a written complaint before starting
Treat the oral notice as a valid error notice and start the investigation
Refer the customer to the card network
Close the account until the dispute is settled
Show answer
B. Under Regulation E a bank cannot require written confirmation before it begins investigating, so an oral notice starts the process.
Eligibility and booking
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 options
All within the last 5 years
6 years
Within 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.
Apply and pay through ABA's Certification Manager before the deadline for your window. ABA approves or denies applications within about two weeks. Once approved, book a test site or online appointment within your window.
Rate yourself against each regulation in the outline before you start studying.
Most candidates spend 60–120 hours. Plan for the low end if you manage compliance across most of the regulations in the outline; plan for the high end if several of them are new to you.
1Understand the examRead the syllabus and format, check you’re eligible and pick a target date.5 h
3Learn the core conceptsWork through one main course or book, topic by topic.53 h
4Practice with mock examsTake timed practice tests and review every mistake.27 h
5Prepare for exam dayBook the exam and check the ID and delivery rules.5 h
3Learn the core concepts
Use ABA's online prep course for structure and the Reference Guide for technical detail.
Passers say the hardest questions ask what a compliance manager should do first or which answer is best when more than one is technically correct. One tip is to read those words twice before answering.
Candidates say the Online Prep videos move fast and skip technical detail, which the Reference Guide fills in. One passer notes not everything in the Guide is tested, so use the outline to prioritize.
Experienced compliance officers in 2026 threads describe failing despite scoring in the 90s on the official practice exams, often on judgment questions.
Best official courseCRCM Exam Online Prep