Know Your Customer Specialist

KYCS – Know Your Customer Specialist

Advance Your Career in Compliance with the KYCS – Know Your Customer Specialist Certification

Globally recognised. Practical. Designed for banking, financial services, and compliance professionals who want to master customer due diligence and onboarding standards worldwide.

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About the KYCS Certification

The Know Your Customer Specialist (KYCS) certification from GCI provides you with the essential knowledge to effectively identify real beneficiaries, detect politically exposed persons (PEPs), and conduct due diligence using a risk-based approach.
You’ll also learn how to determine customer tax status (FATCA & CRS), manage onboarding workflows, and explore the future of digital identity and online verification.

This program equips professionals to design and implement the smartest KYC applications — helping institutions prevent financial crime and ensure regulatory compliance.

Overview

  • Duration: 22 hrs reading, 44 hrs study
  • Format: Virtual, Self Study
  • Exam: 60 mins | 50 MCQs | Pass Mark: 75/100 (min. 50% per chapter)
  • Certification: GCI-accredited International Qualification
  • Includes: 1-Year GCI Membership
  • Fee: $499.00
What You’ll Learn (Modules & Topics)

The course is structured into six comprehensive chapters:

      1. Know Your Customer & Its International Context

        • KYC fundamentals, purpose, and link with AML.

        • FATF, Basel, Wolfsberg, and global data protection context.

      2. Customer Onboarding Requirements

        • Identification & verification for individuals and corporates.

        • Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) and PEP screening.

        • Special focus on charities and NPOs.

      3. Customer Tax Status (FATCA & CRS)

        • Understand tax compliance frameworks.

        • Handle forms, certifications, and due diligence.

      4. Risk-Based Approach in Customer Due Diligence

        • Risk factors: customer type, geography, products/services.

        • Build and apply electronic AML risk rating models.

      5. Account Opening Processes & Management

        • Decentralised vs. centralised onboarding.

        • Managing incomplete, dormant, and non-face-to-face accounts.

      6. Online Customer Onboarding & Digital Identity

        • E-KYC technologies and digital identity management.

        • Challenges, benefits, and implementation frameworks.

In today’s dynamic financial landscape, regulatory change is constant — and institutions face heavy penalties for KYC failures. Skilled compliance professionals are in high demand globally.

This course helps you:

      • Stay compliant with FATF, Basel, and EU standards.
      • Strengthen your AML and CDD frameworks.
      • Build credibility and career growth in compliance and risk management.
      • Protect your organization from fines, sanctions, and reputational loss.

This certification is ideal for:

      • Compliance Officers & AML Analysts

      • Banking and Financial Services Professionals

      • Risk Managers & Auditors

      • Regulators and Supervisory Authorities

      • Customer Onboarding / KYC System Providers

      • Insurance, Leasing, Brokerage, and Lending professionals

For Professionals:

      • Globally recognised compliance credential.

      • Strengthened expertise in AML/KYC regulations.

      • Enhanced career progression and credibility.

For Organisations:

      • Robust customer due diligence frameworks.

      • Reduced compliance risk and audit exposure.

      • Improved trust with regulators and clients.

📊 According to industry studies, certified compliance professionals earn up to 25% more and are 60% more likely to advance into leadership roles.

Accredited by GCI – Global Compliance Institute

“GCI is a recognised independent accreditation institute compatible with global CPD principles and is recognised by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) as meeting the appropriate academic and quality standards in terms of the effectiveness of its content, delivery, assessment and programme management.”

Aligned with international frameworks such as FATF, Basel Committee, and EU AML Directives, the KYCS certification ensures your learning meets global compliance standards.

Program Description:
The KYCS program combines theory and practical insight into how financial institutions onboard, verify, and monitor their customers. You’ll learn international KYC obligations, customer risk assessment, and the latest trends in digital onboarding and identity verification.

Key Details:

      • 📅 Next Start Date: Ongoing Enrollments
      • ⏳ Duration: Self-paced (22 hours reading, 44 hours studying)
      • 💻 Format: Virtual, Self Study
      • 🏅 Certification: Internationally recognised GCI qualification
      • 🧾 Assessment: Online proctored exam | 60 minutes | 50 questions | Pass mark: 75%
      • 🎓 Credentials Awarded: Digital Badge + E-Certificate

Note: Instructor-led programs may be arranged later with GCI-accredited trainers for groups (10+ participants).

Self-Study Plan (Individual Learners):

      • Access to digital study guide (PDF e-book).

      • Practice exam questions.

      • 24/7 exam scheduling.

      • Digital badge and e-certificate upon passing.

Corporate Packages:

      • Group enrollments (10+ participants).

      • Option for instructor-led virtual training by accredited trainers.

      • Custom reporting and LMS integration available.

1. What is the KYCS Certification?

The Know Your Customer Specialist (KYCS) certification is an internationally recognised qualification designed to equip professionals with practical expertise in customer due diligence, onboarding processes, FATCA/CRS compliance, and digital identity verification. It’s issued by the Global Compliance Institute (GCI) and recognised globally by compliance and financial institutions.

This program is ideal for professionals working in:

      • Banking and financial services

      • Compliance, AML, and risk management roles

      • Insurance, brokerage, and lending firms

      • Regulatory bodies, central banks, and financial intelligence units (FIUs)

      • Technology providers offering KYC and digital onboarding solutions

You’ll gain a complete understanding of KYC frameworks, including:

      • Identifying and verifying individual and corporate customers

      • Conducting due diligence and PEP screening

      • Understanding FATCA & CRS tax compliance

      • Building customer risk rating models

      • Implementing digital onboarding and e-KYC solutions

There are no mandatory prerequisites. However, basic knowledge of financial services, compliance, or AML concepts is beneficial.

The KYCS certification is self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own convenience.

      • Recommended Reading Hours: 22 hours
      • Recommended Study Hours: 44 hours

You can complete the program in approximately 4–6 weeks based on your schedule.

      • Exam Duration: 60 Minutes
      • Total Questions: 50
      • Question Type: Multiple Choice
      • Pass Mark: 75/100 (minimum 50% per chapter)
      • Mode: Online Proctored Exam (can be taken anytime, anywhere)

After enrollment, you’ll receive access to the GCI online portal, where you can review study materials and attempt practice questions.
Once you’re ready, you can schedule your online proctored exam instantly through your membership dashboard. Exams are available 24/7.

If you do not achieve the passing score, you can re-attempt the exam by purchasing a re-sit voucher through GCI or your training partner. You’ll continue to have access to your course materials for review.

Successful candidates receive:

      • 🎓 E-Certificate (downloadable and verifiable)
      • 🏅 Digital Badge – shareable on LinkedIn or other platforms, showing your verified achievement and skills.

The KYCS self-study course fee is USD $499, which includes:

      • Digital study guide (eBook)
      • Practice exam questions
      • 1-Year GCI membership
      • Access to online exam scheduling

Yes.

“GCI is a recognised independent accreditation institute compatible with global CPD principles and is recognised by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) as meeting the appropriate academic and quality standards in terms of the effectiveness of its content, delivery, assessment and programme management.”

This ensures global recognition and acceptance across the financial compliance industry.

Yes. Organisations can opt for group enrollments (10+ participants), with options for virtual or instructor-led delivery through GCI-accredited trainers.
Corporate clients also receive access to reporting tools and administrative dashboards.

Currently, all GCI certifications — including KYCS — are offered as self-study programs.
Once interest is established or for corporate groups, instructor-led programs can be arranged with accredited trainers.

The KYCS program aligns with the guidelines and recommendations from:

      • FATF (Financial Action Task Force)
      • Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
      • European Union AML Directives
      • Wolfsberg Group
      • GDPR and US AMLA 2020

Your enrollment provides:

      • Full access to the study materials (PDF eBook)
      • Practice exam questions
      • Access to GCI’s online learning portal
      • One-year membership
      • Certificate and digital badge upon passing the exam

Your digital badge and e-certificate can be verified online through GCI’s validation system, ensuring authenticity for employers and professional networks.

Yes. GCI provides a shareable digital badge that can be added to your LinkedIn profile under “Licenses & Certifications.” It’s verified in real-time, showcasing your professional achievement.

Other GCI Certifications

CCM – Certified Compliance Manager

Develop strategic leadership skills to design, implement, and oversee comprehensive compliance and ethics programs.

AMLS – Anti Money Laundering Specialist

Gain practical expertise in AML laws, risk assessment, and monitoring to detect and prevent suspicious transactions effectively.

SCS – Sanctions Compliance Specialist

Understand international sanctions, embargoes, and screening processes to ensure your organisation remains fully compliant.

RCS – Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Build in-depth knowledge of compliance frameworks, internal controls, and regulatory reporting standards used across industries.

FCS – FATCA & CRS Specialist

Learn FATCA and CRS requirements to help institutions manage tax reporting obligations across multiple jurisdictions.

Get More Information – KYCS Certification

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