How to choose a recognised, accredited AML course in the UK

07 Oct How to choose a recognised, accredited AML course in the UK

Last updated: 07^th October 2026, Written by The KYC Lookup Team

There is no single “official” AML certificate in the UK. Neither the FCA nor HMRC approves individual training courses. Instead, the law requires firms to train their staff regularly and keep records, and it leaves the choice of course to the firm.

That means “recognised” depends on what you need the training for. This guide explains what UK rules require, the different kinds of recognition, and how to check a course before you buy.

What UK law requires

Regulation 24 of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 sets the training duty. Firms must take appropriate measures so that relevant employees, and agents, are:

• made aware of the law on money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, and the related data protection requirements; and
• regularly trained to recognise and deal with transactions and situations that may be linked to money laundering or terrorist financing.

Firms must also keep a written record of the training given. The training must be relevant to the business and the risks it faces.

A “relevant employee” is anyone whose work affects the firm’s compliance, or who could help identify, prevent or detect money laundering. The regulations do not define “regularly”, but most firms train staff at onboarding and then at least once a year.

The three kinds of recognition

All three can be the right choice. For most firms, a CPD-accredited course is the practical way to train a whole team and evidence it. For individuals, a CPD-accredited course is often the best first step before a longer qualification.

What “accredited” should mean

Accreditation means an independent body has reviewed the course content and structure. For CPD accreditation, the course is checked against recognised CPD standards, and learners earn CPD credits they can log with their employer or professional body.

A genuinely accredited course should name its accrediting body. You should be able to look the provider or course up on that body’s public register. KYC Lookup’s courses, for example, are listed on The CPD Register.

Checklist: How to judge an AML course

1. Accreditation you can verify. The provider names the accrediting body, and the course appears on its register.
2. UK-relevant content. It covers the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and suspicious activity reporting, not only US rules.
3. A risk-based approach. It explains customer risk rating, enhanced due diligence and red flags, so staff can apply it to their own roles.
4. An assessment. A quiz or exam shows understanding, which supports your training records.
5. A certificate of completion. This gives you written evidence of the training, as regulation 24 expects.
6. Up-to-date material. It covers recent topics such as proliferation financing, sanctions and virtual assets.
7. The right level. Introductory courses for new starters; specialist or senior management courses for MLROs and boards.
8. Practical delivery. Self-paced online access on any device makes it easier to train a whole team and hit deadlines.

How KYC Lookup’s courses meet this checklist

KYC Lookup’s online courses are CPD accredited and listed on The CPD Register. Each course is self-paced, works on desktop, tablet and phone, ends with a quiz, and provides a digital certificate of completion and CPD credits.

The range covers each stage of a training programme: Introduction to AML and Introduction to KYC for new starters, an annual AML refresher, specialist courses such as source of wealth and screening, and AML training for senior management and boards of directors. Businesses can assign and track courses for groups of staff.

Frequently asked questions

Does the FCA approve AML training courses? No. The FCA expects firms to train staff appropriately, but it does not approve or list individual courses.

How often must UK staff do AML training? The regulations say “regularly” without defining it. Annual refresher training is the most common approach.

Is a CPD-accredited course enough to meet regulation 24? It can be, if the content is relevant to your business and its risks and you keep records. Higher-risk roles may also need specialist training.

Sources: Regulation 24 text (Better Regulation) · HMRC Economic Crime Supervision Handbook ECSH63415 · HMRC ECSH33220 — AML training · IPA guidance on AML training · SRA thematic review of AML training · KYC Lookup on The CPD Register