Sanctions Compliance Specialist

SCS – Sanctions Compliance Specialist

Advance Your Career in Compliance with the Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) Certification

Globally recognised. Practical. Designed for banking & financial services professionals worldwide.

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About the SCS Certification

The Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) certification offers a comprehensive understanding of global sanctions compliance frameworks, including those established by the UN, EU, OFAC, UK, and Australia.

Our program focuses on three core pillars — Processes, Systems, and Reporting — to help professionals strengthen their organization’s compliance practices and minimize sanctions-related risks.

Learners will master practical skills for handling sanctioned or high-risk countries, using name screening tools, understanding violation reports, and applying risk-based decision-making in real-world compliance environments.

Overview

  • Duration: 15 Hours Reading | 30 Hours Self-Study
  • Format: Virtual | Self-Study (Online Proctored Exam)
  • Exam Duration: 60 Minutes | 50 (Multiple Choice)
  • Pass Mark: 75 / 100
  • Certification: GCI-Accredited International Qualification (CPD-Compatible)
  • Program Fee: USD 499
What You’ll Learn (Modules & Topics)

The course is structured into Six comprehensive chapters:

1. What Sanctions & Counter-Proliferation Finance Are

      • Understand sanctions and embargoes.
      • Identify issuing authorities (UN, EU, OFAC).
      • Learn types (comprehensive, sectoral, targeted, human rights).
      • Understand proliferation finance obligations, risk assessments, and red flags.

2. International Context

      • Study sanctions issued by UN, EU, OFAC, UK & Australia.
      • Understand government, regulator, and financial institution roles.

3. Processes

      • Customer onboarding & account opening compliance.
      • Manual vs automatic name screening and matching algorithms.
      • Use of Delta Files and documentation.
      • SWIFT message types and de-risking activities.

4. Systems

      • Apply CAAT (Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques).
      • Manage internal lists and screening systems.
      • Reduce false positives and implement Wolfsberg Guidance.

5. Reporting

      • Structure and interpret violation reports.
      • Analyze findings and reporting requirements.

6. Countries’ Sanctions Highlights 

      • Overview of sanctions on Russia, China, Hong Kong, Syria, North Korea, Iran, and Cuba.

In today’s global financial environment, sanctions compliance is one of the most critical areas of risk management. Regulatory bodies such as the UN, EU, OFAC, and FATF impose complex and evolving sanctions frameworks that every financial institution must follow.

The SCS certification equips you with the practical knowledge and international perspective required to navigate these regulatory landscapes confidently. It helps you ensure your organisation’s operations remain compliant, avoid costly fines, and protect its reputation.

This course matters because:

      • Global sanctions are expanding, creating urgent demand for trained compliance professionals.

      • Non-compliance can result in heavy penalties, reputational damage, and business restrictions.

      • Professionals with sanctions expertise are now highly sought after across banking, insurance, and financial services.

      • The SCS program empowers you to strengthen your institution’s defences through effective name-screening systems, risk assessments, and reporting practices.

With GCI’s globally recognised accreditation, the SCS certification helps you build credibility, boost your career, and contribute to a culture of ethical compliance.

The SCS certification is ideal for professionals responsible for ensuring their organisation’s compliance with international sanctions and financial crime regulations.

This course is recommended for:

      • Banking and Financial Services Professionals – including compliance officers, trade finance staff, and remittance specialists.
      • Insurance, Reinsurance, and Brokerage Professionals involved in due diligence and risk assessment.
      • Leasing, Lending, and Microfinance Staff managing customer onboarding and transaction monitoring.
      • Exchange Houses and Money Service Businesses handling cross-border transfers.
      • Supervisory Authorities – staff from Central Banks, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), regulators, and related ministries.
      • IT Solution Providers developing or managing sanctions compliance and name-screening systems.

Whether you’re an individual professional seeking global certification or an organisation aiming to strengthen compliance frameworks, this program helps build the essential skills to manage sanctions risk effectively.

The Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) certification provides both individuals and organisations with measurable professional advantages and strengthened compliance capabilities.

For Professionals

      • Gain a globally recognised qualification in sanctions compliance.
      • Develop practical expertise in managing sanctions frameworks, risk assessments, and reporting.
      • Enhance your career opportunities across banking, finance, and regulatory sectors.
      • Build credibility as a certified compliance professional with verifiable credentials.
      • Stay current with UN, EU, OFAC, and other global sanctions requirements.

For Organisations

      • Strengthen institutional compliance and risk management frameworks.
      • Minimise exposure to regulatory fines and reputational damage.
      • Build a workforce trained in international sanctions compliance best practices.
      • Improve stakeholder trust through adherence to global compliance standards.

The Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) program is awarded by the Global Compliance Institute (GCI) — a leading international authority in financial crime prevention and compliance education.

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 that every GCI qualification — including SCS — meets the highest global benchmarks for compliance training, trusted by professionals and institutions across the world.

“The SCS certification gave me the confidence to handle complex sanctions compliance issues. The study guide was clear and practical — I now lead sanctions reviews in my bank.”
— Aisha R., Compliance Officer, UAE

“Excellent course structure and real-world relevance. The name-screening and SWIFT sections were extremely valuable for our compliance team.”
— Rahul M., Trade Finance Manager, India

“Earning the SCS qualification strengthened my profile and helped me secure a promotion within six months. Highly recommended for all compliance professionals.”
— Maria G., Sanctions Analyst, Singapore

“Our organisation enrolled several staff members in the SCS program. The course helped us streamline our sanctions monitoring process and reduce false alerts.”
— Head of Compliance, Regional Bank, Qatar

The Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) certification, awarded by the Global Compliance Institute (GCI), is an internationally recognised qualification that validates your professional expertise in global sanctions compliance, embargo management, and counter-proliferation finance.

This program provides you with the essential knowledge and practical tools to identify, assess, and manage sanctions-related risks across banking, insurance, and financial sectors. Learners gain an in-depth understanding of the major sanctions regimes — UN, EU, OFAC, UK, and Australia — along with hands-on exposure to customer onboarding, SWIFT operations, name screening, and violation reporting.

Key Details

      • Next Start Date: Ongoing (Enroll Anytime)
      • Duration: 15 Hours Reading | 30 Hours Self-Study
      • Format: Virtual | Self-Study (Online Proctored Exam)
      • Exam Duration: 60 Minutes
      • Number of Questions: 50 (Multiple Choice)
      • Pass Mark: 75 / 100
      • Certification: GCI-Accredited International Qualification (CPD-Compatible)
      • Program Fee: USD 499

Program Fee Includes:

✔ One-Year GCI Membership
✔ Access to the Candidate Portal
✔ Downloadable Digital Study Guide (eBook)
✔ Practice Exam Questions
✔ 24/7 Online Exam Scheduling
✔ Instant E-Certificate & Verifiable Digital Badge upon Passing
✔ One Free Exam Retake

Upon Successful Completion

You will receive:

      • Digital E-Certificate – Instant proof of certification from GCI.
      • Verifiable Digital Badge – Shareable on LinkedIn and other platforms to showcase your compliance expertise.
      • GCI Membership Benefits – Continued access to learning resources, updates, and professional recognition.

This certification establishes you as a qualified Sanctions Compliance Specialist, ready to manage complex global regulatory challenges and protect your organisation from sanctions risks.

Self-Study Plan (Individual Learners)

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

      • Practice exam questions for self-assessment and preparation

      • 24/7 online exam scheduling through the GCI Candidate Portal

      • Digital badge and e-certificate awarded instantly upon passing

      • Includes 1-year GCI membership and one free exam retake

Corporate Packages

      • Designed for group enrollments (10+ participants)

      • Option for instructor-led virtual training conducted by GCI-accredited trainers

      • Custom LMS integration and performance reporting for organizations

      • Tailored onboarding and coordinated exam sessions for corporate teams

1. What is the SCS Certification?

The Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS) certification, offered by the Global Compliance Institute (GCI), is an internationally recognised qualification that provides in-depth knowledge of global sanctions, embargoes, and counter-proliferation finance. It focuses on practical applications in customer onboarding, SWIFT transactions, and name-screening systems to help professionals manage sanctions-related risks effectively.

The course is ideal for professionals working in:

    • Banking, insurance, and financial services
    • Brokerage, leasing, microfinance, and lending firms
    • Exchange houses and money service businesses
    • Central banks, financial intelligence units (FIUs), and regulators
    • IT firms developing or managing sanctions compliance tools

It’s also perfect for compliance officers, risk managers, auditors, and anyone involved in trade finance or AML functions.

Global sanctions frameworks are evolving rapidly, and non-compliance can lead to heavy fines, business restrictions, or reputational damage.
The SCS certification equips you with the knowledge and tools to navigate international sanctions regimes confidently while improving your professional credibility and career prospects in compliance and financial crime prevention.

Learners will gain a complete understanding of:

      • Sanctions and embargo types (UN, EU, OFAC, UK, Australia)
      • Proliferation finance, red flags, and typologies
      • Screening systems and Wolfsberg guidance
      • Customer onboarding and SWIFT message compliance
      • Violation reports and analysis methods

The course builds strong, practical knowledge applicable across all compliance environments.

The SCS certification is currently offered as a Self-Study Program.
Learners get access to the GCI Candidate Portal, where they can:

      • Download the digital study guide (eBook)
      • Attempt unlimited practice questions
      • Schedule the online proctored exam 24/7

Instructor-led options are available later for corporate groups (10+ participants).

      • Anticipated Reading Hours: 15 Hours
      • Anticipated Study Hours: 30 Hours

The self-paced format allows learners to study according to their convenience and schedule their exam when ready.

      • Exam Duration: 60 Minutes
      • Number of Questions: 50 (Multiple Choice)
      • Passing Score: 75 / 100
      • Mode: Online Proctored Exam (can be taken anytime, anywhere)

Results appear immediately after submission, and successful candidates receive their digital badge and e-certificate instantly.

Upon passing, you will receive:

🎓 Digital E-Certificate from GCI
🌐 Verifiable Digital Badge (sharable on LinkedIn and CVs)
🪙 One-Year GCI Membership with continued access to professional resources and updates

The program fee covers:

      • One-year GCI membership
      • Access to the Candidate Portal
      • Study guide (digital eBook)
      • Practice exam questions
      • 24/7 online exam scheduling
      • Digital badge and e-certificate upon passing
      • One free exam retake

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 the SCS certification meets the highest global standards for compliance and professional development.

Learners receive one-year membership access to the GCI Candidate Portal, which includes the study guide, practice tests, and all self-study resources during that period.

The SCS credential opens doors to roles such as:

      • Sanctions Analyst / Officer
      • Compliance Manager
      • Financial Crime Investigator
      • Risk & Controls Officer
      • Trade Finance / AML Compliance Specialist

Certified professionals often see faster career progression and enhanced credibility in global compliance roles.

Other GCI Certifications

CCM – Certified Compliance Manager

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

KYCS – Know Your Customer Specialist

Learn global KYC practices, onboarding standards, and customer verification procedures to strengthen compliance frameworks across financial institutions.

AMLS – Anti Money Laundering Specialist

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

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.

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