Invest in Your Career with the
Certified Sanctions Specialist
Certification Program
The CSS Program Certifies You as a Sanctions Specialist
If you have anything to do with sanctions compliance, you are a prime candidate to benefit from Certified Sanctions Specialist (CSS) certification. CSS holders come from diverse backgrounds united by their professional interest.
CSS is a big step forward for beginning or developing a sanctions career. It’s a flexible program that fits in with the busiest of schedules and is a great way to show an excellent understanding of sanctions compliance.
Build On Your Knowledge and the Rewards Will Follow
You or your team can gain the CSS 3 months after starting your studies. But you have up to one year to prepare for the proctored exam. It can be taken at a convenient date and time at one of over 5000 centers worldwide. You can also take the exam with a virtual proctor at your home or office.
The CSS qualification is recognized worldwide and is administered by the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS). The ACSS is dedicated to furthering the careers of its members and providing first-class professional training and education.
As a CSS, you gain many benefits, a higher profile and access to a community of like-minded professionals. It is a mark of distinction that confirms your knowledge of the specialist subject of sanctions.
Testimonials
“Being a part of the ACSS membership has provided essential access to sanctions compliance trainings and latest information. As a sanctions professional, the Certified Sanctions Specialist Certification was imperative to improving my expertise in the field. My favorite part of the Certification was how it consistently demonstrated examples and exercises with real-world applications and made sure I came out of the course prepared to deploy the knowledge in real time.”
“The overall experience was very good. I enjoyed all the parts of the certification journey. The whole ACSS team was very helpful and understanding. Always a pleasure interacting with the ACSS family.”
Who Takes Our Certified Sanctions Specialists Program?
60+ Countries
What Industries Do They Work In
Job Titles of Our Candidates
Candidates in Sixty-Five Countries
Who Can Apply for CSS Certification?
Eligibility requires a minimum of 40 points based on education, experience and other factors. But if you fall short of 40, you can take continuing education programs with ACSS or other sources. Virtual Classroom lessons count for 33 points. See Eligibility and Applications – Points-Based Entry Requirement. You must provide 3 professional references. To use and display the CSS credential, you must have an active ACSS membership..
Course Description
With your new knowledge, you can contend with the sanctions issues you will likely face.
CSS Exam Preparation Guide: If all you need for learning is the study material, choose the CSS Exam Preparation Guide. After purchasing this option, you can download the guide, which is an online PDF. You will need self-discipline to comprehend the material in time for your examination. The guide ends with practice questions to test your knowledge in preparation for the exam.
Virtual Classroom: If you prefer a classroom structure for learning, choose the CSS Virtual Classroom. You will watch live web-based lessons and be assigned homework. Virtual Classroom divides the CSS Examination Preparation Guide into six two-hour interactive classes held weekly with an expert instructor. Apart from providing in-depth analysis, the instructor can answer any questions.
All sessions are recorded: You can watch them later If you cannot make a live viewing. Or you may choose to watch them again. You can also download specially prepared presentation slides with informative diagrams and vital summaries. If you choose this option, you will be enrolled in the next Virtual Classroom.
What You Will Learn
What You Must Know to Pass the Exam
The CSS curriculum provides you with the knowledge sanctions officers need to comply with sanctions rules and regulations. In creating the program, we analyzed job requirements, US and EU and UK international best practices, and international sanctions frameworks.
We offer certification through three different packages.
OPTION 1
CSS Certification Standard Package
Package includes:
1. The CSS Exam (physical or virtual)
2. The CSS Exam Preparation Guide
Disclaimer:
The practice questions in the CSS Exam Preparation Guide are not meant to indicate the exact style or difficulty of the actual CSS Exam questions. They are provided only to help candidates review the content of the course material.
OPTION 2
CSS Certification Self-Paced Package
Package includes:
1. Everything in the CSS Certification Standard Package
2. 40+ Videos
Our specially prepared videos cover all the topics you need to know, starting with an introduction to the CSS Exam. The program continues with an additional videos featuring lively, instructive, concise videos covering the breadth of sanctions in six sections. When you have finished, you will know all about the types of sanctions, the imposers, the targets, have a foundation for a successful sanctions program, be able to discuss the 50% Rule, know how to contend with evaders, be familiar with screening, OFAC investigations, and much more.
3. Practice Test
Strengthen your knowledge and readiness with an extensive practice test consisting of 230 carefully selected questions. Gain confidence and familiarize yourself with the exam format to ensure optimal performance on your official certification test.
OPTION 3
CSS Certification plus Virtual Classroom Package
Package includes:
1. Everything in the CSS Certification Self-Paced Package
2. Six 2-hour virtual classroom training sessions
Receive extra guidane in a structured learning environment. An expert instructor discusses the study materials and assists in six live weekly, two-hour, web-based interactive classes.
Syllabus:
1. Sanctions Regime Types, Goals, Prohibitions and Effects
You will be introduced to the different kinds of sanctions, the common prohibitions and exemptions, and their effects.
2. Sanctions Imposers and Targets: The International Arena
3. Sanctions Imposers and Targets: Spotlight United States
4. Essential Components of Sanctions Compliance Programs
5. Role of Technology, List Screening and Other Operational Processes
6. Enforcement, Investigations and Sanctions Evasion
Instructors
Martijn Feldbrugge
Ian Matthews
Scott Nance
Saskia Rietbroek, CSS
Martijn Feldbrugge
Director at BSCN BV
Ian Matthews
Scott Nance
Principal at Langley Compliance Consulting, LLC
Saskia Rietbroek, CSS
Executive Director and Co-Founder of ACSS
Saskia frequently speaks English, Spanish and Dutch on various financial crime topics.
Saskia earned law degrees from Leiden University (Netherlands) and Universidad La Católica (Lima, Peru) and was admitted to the Lima Bar Association. She also holds an international MBA from Florida International University. She speaks fluent Dutch, English, Spanish, and basic German.
FAQs
Who can take the exam?
Eligibility requires a minimum of 40 points based on education, experience and other factors. But if you fall short of 40, you can take continuing education programs with ACSS or other sources. Virtual Classroom lessons count for 21 points. See Eligibility and Applications – Points-Based Entry Requirement. You must provide 3 professional references. To use and display the CSS credential, you must have an active ACSS membership.
What topics will be on the exam?
How is the exam administered?
I passed the CSS exam, which my company paid for. If I leave the company, will I keep my credential?
How do I recertify after my CSS expires in 3 years?
Why should I take the CSS exam?
How do I apply and what are the payment options?
How much time should I allocate to study?
Do you provide sample questions to prepare for the exam?
Contact
Additional questions? Contact ACSS for more information, Please email acss@sanctionsassociation.org and we will get back to you soon!