Saudi CMA CME-2 Certification Guide 2026: Compliance & AML Exams

Table of Contents

• • 1. What is the CME-2 Certification?
• - CME-2 Modular Structure
• • 2. CME-2 Exam Details for 2026
• - Exam Dates & Registration
• • 3. What Completing Both Parts Shows
• • 4. How to Prepare Without Burning Out
• - Shift to Active Recall

The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) uses CME-2 (Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering) for people entering specified compliance and AML/CFT functions. The qualification has two parts: international compliance in CME-2A and Saudi rules in CME-2B.

[!NOTE] Are you looking for the US Accounting CMA? A quick clarification for our readers: This guide specifically covers the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) regulatory licensing exams. If you are searching for the IMA’s Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam fees or dates, that is a separate accounting credential.

This guide separates the two parts, records the current published exam figures and shows what to verify before booking.

1. What is the CME-2 Certification?

The CME-2 (Capital Market Examination 2) route covers the compliance function, financial crime, governance and the Saudi capital-market rules that apply to compliance and AML/CFT work.

The Financial Academy describes CME-2B as mandatory for people to be registered for a function in compliance and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. Passing the exam does not by itself complete employer nomination or CMA registration.

CME-2 Modular Structure

The current route is split into two distinct modules, and both are required for the CME-2 qualification:

CME-2A: International Financial Compliance

This module tests your understanding of global compliance frameworks and best practices.

• Key Topics: The international regulatory environment, the role of the compliance function in a multinational firm, risk management, corporate governance, and cross-border financial crime regulations.
• Preparation Focus: Distinguish the roles of the board, senior management, the compliance function and international standard setters; then practise applying controls to short scenarios.

CME-2B: Saudi Specific Compliance & AML

This module focuses on Saudi capital-market rules, compliance, AML and CFT.

• Key Topics: Capital Market Institutions Regulations, investment funds, market conduct, corporate-finance rules, investment accounts, AML and terrorist-financing offences.
• Preparation Focus: Build a table for each rule showing the responsible person, trigger, recipient, deadline and required record. That prevents similar notification and reporting duties from being confused.

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2. CME-2 Exam Details for 2026

If you are planning your 2026 exam schedule, here is the critical data you need to know.

Published detail	CME-2A (International)	CME-2B (Saudi Specific)
Duration	120 minutes	30 minutes
Passing Score	70 marks	17 marks
Exam fee	SAR 2,100	SAR 1,700
Language Options	English & Arabic	English & Arabic
Exam Provider	Financial Academy	Financial Academy

The Financial Academy pages publish scores rather than percentages. Do not convert the CME-2B score into a rounded percentage when planning how many questions you can miss.

For CME-2B, the published chapter allocation is 20%, 16%, 12%, 12%, 8%, 20% and 12% across its seven chapters. The two 20% chapters together account for 40% of the paper, but the remaining five chapters still account for most marks.

Exam Dates & Registration

Use the Financial Academy portal to see the dates, language and delivery options currently available to your account. Before payment, verify the part number: CME-2A and CME-2B are separate bookings with different durations, pass scores and fees.

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3. What Completing Both Parts Shows

The two-part route tests different evidence. CME-2A covers international compliance concepts and the operation of a compliance function; CME-2B tests how Saudi capital-market rules apply to compliance, AML and CFT work. Passing both demonstrates exam knowledge across those areas, but it is not evidence of a particular salary, job title or completed CMA registration.

4. How to Prepare Without Burning Out

The two papers require different preparation. CME-2A allows 120 minutes and rewards connected understanding; CME-2B is a 30-minute local-rules paper where fast distinction between similar duties matters.

Shift to Active Recall

After each chapter, answer a short set without notes and record the rule behind every error. For CME-2B, repeat mixed sets under its 30-minute limit; for CME-2A, explain why each rejected option fails as well as why the selected answer works.