Your qualification is the foundation. Professional recognition is how the market knows you’ve built on it.
ACI Professional Recognition designations are conferred by the Australian Compliance Institute to members who demonstrate a sustained commitment to compliance practice – combining formal qualification with active membership, continuing professional development (CPD), and the ACI Code of Professional Conduct.
When you hold an ACI designation, your post-nominals – ACRP, CCRM, CCRP, AACP, CACP, SCACP – appear after your name everywhere that matters: your email signature, your LinkedIn profile, your CV, your business card. They tell employers, recruiters, regulators, and peers that your compliance knowledge is current, verified, and professionally maintained.
Why Your Post-Nominals Matter
For your career
Compliance and risk roles increasingly require demonstrable, verifiable credentials. A post-nominal signals to hiring managers and recruiters that your expertise is current and independently recognised – not self-asserted
For your organisation
Employing professionally recognised compliance staff demonstrates to regulators, customers and other stakeholders that your organisation takes compliance seriously and invests in people.
For your professional network
CI designations are recognised across Australia’s compliance, risk, and financial crime communities. They open doors to Communities of Practice, events, and peer networks – and appear on Credly’s verified digital badge platform, visible on your LinkedIn profile.
Our Pathways
ACI operates two parallel designation pathways. Choose the one that reflects your area of practice – or work toward both.
Compliance & Risk Management
AML/CTF Compliance
- Entry: ACRP – ACI Compliance and Risk Practitioner
- Middle: CCRM – Certified Compliance and Risk Manager
- Senior: CCRP – Certified Compliance and Risk Professional
- Pinnacle: CCRP Fellow
- Entry: AACP – ACI AML/CTF Practitioner
- Middle: CACP – Certified AML/CTF Professional
- Senior: SCACP – Senior Certified AML/CTF Professional
Each designation builds on the one before – your qualification opens the door, your ongoing CPD and membership keep it open.
How Professional Recognition Works
An ACI nationally recognised training qualification (or recognised equivalent) at the level corresponding to the designation.
Current financial membership of the Australian Compliance Institute, maintained annually. Your membership commits you to the ACI Code of Professional Conduct.
20 Continuing Professional Development points per calendar year, at all designation levels. The same requirement applies whether you hold ACRP or CCRP Fellow.
Choose Your Journey
Select your pathway below to see the designations, qualifications, and criteria at each level.
ACRP – ACI Compliance and Risk Practitioner
Entry level – your first post-nominal as an ACI-recognised compliance professional.
To earn this designation:
- Complete the 10964NAT Certificate IV in Compliance and Risk Management
- Hold current ACI membership in good standing
- Earn 20 CPD points per calendar year and uphold the ACI Code of Professional Conduct
Career pathway: ACRP → CCRP → CCRP Fellow
CCRP – Certified Compliance and Risk Professional
Senior level – recognising advanced compliance leadership and strategic risk management.
To earn this designation:
- Complete the 11419NAT Graduate Certificate in Compliance and Risk Management (AQF Level 8)
- Hold current ACI membership in good standing
- Earn 20 CPD points per calendar year and uphold the ACI Code of Professional Conduct
Career pathway: ACRP → CCRP → CCRP Fellow
International recognition: CCRP holders are also recognised internationally as Internationally Certified Compliance Professionals (ICCP). [See International recognition below.]
CCRP Fellow
Senior level – recognising advanced compliance leadership and strategic risk management.
To earn this designation:
- Complete the 11419NAT Graduate Certificate in Compliance and Risk Management (AQF Level 8)
- Hold current ACI membership in good standing
- Earn 20 CPD points per calendar year and uphold the ACI Code of Professional Conduct
Career pathway: ACRP → CCRP → CCRP Fellow
International recognition: CCRP holders are also recognised internationally as Internationally Certified Compliance Professionals (ICCP). [See International recognition below.]
AACP – ACI AML/CTF Practitioner
Entry level – your first post-nominal as an ACI-recognised AML/CTF compliance professional.
To earn this designation:
- Complete the FNSSS00010 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Skill Set
- Hold current ACI membership in good standing
- Earn 20 CPD points per calendar year and uphold the ACI Code of Professional Conduct
Career pathway: AACP → CACP
CACP – Certified AML/CTF Professional
Middle level – recognising applied competency in AML/CTF program management and regulatory compliance.
To earn this designation:
- Complete the FNS80020 Graduate Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AQF Level 8)
- Hold current ACI membership in good standing
- Earn 20 CPD points per calendar year and uphold the ACI Code of Professional Conduct
Career pathway: AACP → CACP
International recognition (ICCP)
ACI is a member of the International Federation of Compliance Associations (IFCA), a group of national compliance associations promoting internationally consistent standards for compliance professionals.
IFCA compares certification programs across its members and recognises equivalence where programs are sufficiently consistent. Members who hold a recognised designation from one IFCA member are recognised across participating associations as Internationally Certified Compliance Professionals (ICCP).
ICCP recognition through ACI
ACI members who hold the CCRP designation are recognised as ICCP across the IFCA network. Eligible members may request an ICCP certificate and digital badge, issued by ACI on behalf of IFCA. ICCP recognition is valid only while your CCRP designation is current.
IFCA reviews equivalence arrangements regularly and ICCP recognition can change without notice. ACI will notify members of any material changes
Maintaining Your Designation
Your designation is issued automatically when you complete your ACI qualification and hold current ACI membership. No application required.
Each year, ACI checks two things at your badge anniversary:
- You hold current ACI membership
- You have logged 20 CPD points in the prior calendar year (ending 31 December)
If both conditions are met, your Credly digital badge renews automatically – keeping your verified credential current on LinkedIn and anywhere else you’ve shared it.
The same 20 CPD requirement applies at every level. CPD is about maintaining currency of practice, not seniority. Log your CPD as you go in your member portal – it’s a simple self-declaration, no supporting evidence required unless you are selected for audit.
If membership is not renewed or CPD is not met by your anniversary date, your designation enters a 60-day grace period. During this time your Credly badge shows as expiring and you receive an automated reminder. Your designation remains valid during the grace period.
If the grace period passes without renewal, your badge lapses and your post-nominals should not be used until reinstatement is complete.
If your designation has lapsed for less than 12 months, reinstatement is straightforward:
- Rejoin ACI at the standard renewal fee (new member fee waived)
- Log 20 CPD points for the current calendar year
- Your designation and Credly badge are reinstated
Your qualification is unaffected by any lapse.
If your membership has lapsed for more than 12 months, the standard new member fee applies. Once your membership is current and you have logged 20 CPD points for the current calendar year, you can apply to have your designation reissued.
Your original qualification remains valid. The new member fee reflects the fresh start to your membership, not any change to your qualification standing.
Your qualification is unaffected by any lapse.
Historic Designations
ACI has refined its professional recognition naming over the years. Members holding historic designations are recognised within the current framework – your standing has not changed, only the terminology.
Naming evolution: Designations were originally called “Accredited” (e.g. Accredited Member). The terminology shifted to “Certified” to avoid confusion with nationally accredited training programs. The framework has evolved again to “Professional Recognition” – reflecting that ACI confers standing through qualification, membership, and CPD combined, rather than a standalone certification exam.
| Historic designation | Current title | Post-nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Associate / Accredited Member | ACI Compliance and Risk Practitioner | ACRP |
| CCP (Certified Compliance Professional) | Certified Compliance and Risk Professional | CCRP |
| CRP (Compliance & Risk Professional) | Certified Compliance and Risk Professional | CCRP |
| CCP Fellow / CRP Fellow | CCRP Fellow | CCRP Fellow |
| Certified AML Professional | Certified AML/CTF Professional | CACP |
| Skilled AML Professional | ACI AML/CTF Practitioner | AACP |
Digital badges are issued only for current titles. If you hold a historic designation, your Credly badge will reflect the current aligned title.