Accredited Providers

Become an ACS Accredited Provider

ACS works with qualified training organisations, universities, professional institutions, employers and examination centres to make its certifications accessible internationally.

Accredited Providers deliver ACS-approved preparation and candidate support within a controlled quality framework.

Accreditation demonstrates that the provider has been reviewed against ACS requirements for governance, capability, learning delivery, candidate support and professional integrity.

Types of Centre Recognition

  • ACS Accredited Learning Provider

    Approved to deliver training and preparation for specified ACS certifications.

  • ACS Approved Examination Centre

    Approved to host and administer ACS assessments under defined security and invigilation requirements.

  • ACS Accredited Learning and Examination Centre

    Approved to provide both preparatory learning and examination services within its authorised scope.

Approval is granted only for the qualifications and services listed in the centre’s formal accreditation decision.

Benefits of Becoming an ACS Accredited Provider

  • International Association

    Build a formal relationship with an international UK-based awarding body.

  • Access to ACS Certifications

    Offer approved ACS professional qualifications within the agreed territory and scope.

  • Institutional Credibility

    Demonstrate that your organisation has met defined ACS quality and operational requirements.

  • Professional Resources

    Receive access to applicable qualification specifications, delivery guidance and approved promotional materials.

  • Candidate Registration Support

    Use structured registration, assessment and certification procedures.

  • Centre Recognition Certificate

    Receive formal confirmation of accredited status and approved scope.

  • International Verification

    Centre status may be confirmed through the ACS website.

  • Business Development

    Expand your professional-development portfolio in compliance, AML, financial crime and regulatory risk.

  • Quality Development

    Benefit from ACS guidance, monitoring and feedback to strengthen programme delivery.

Accreditation Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Legal and Organisational Standing

  • Valid legal registration
  • Clear ownership and governance
  • Suitable organisational structure
  • Appropriate licences where required
  • Professional and financial standing

Management Capability

  • Defined management responsibilities
  • Qualified administrative personnel
  • Effective document and record control
  • Appropriate candidate support arrangements
  • Business continuity procedures

Training Capability

  • Qualified trainers
  • Relevant professional experience
  • Suitable learning facilities or platforms
  • Approved learning plans
  • Reliable attendance and progress records
  • Effective learner-support arrangements

Examination Capability

Where examination-centre approval is requested, applicants must provide:

  • Secure examination facilities
  • Candidate identity-verification procedures
  • Trained invigilators
  • Confidential handling of assessment materials
  • Incident-reporting procedures
  • Reliable technology and connectivity
  • Appropriate accessibility arrangements

Quality Assurance

  • Internal quality-review procedures
  • Complaints and appeals processes
  • Candidate feedback mechanisms
  • Corrective-action procedures
  • Monitoring of trainers
  • Control of marketing and public information

Data Protection and Information Security

  • Secure candidate records
  • Controlled access to personal information
  • Appropriate retention procedures
  • Confidential communication methods
  • Incident and breach-management arrangements

Ethical Marketing

Providers must communicate ACS status accurately and must not:

  • Guarantee examination success
  • Misrepresent accreditation
  • Promote unapproved qualifications
  • Change ACS certificate titles
  • Make unsupported regulatory claims
  • Issue ACS certificates independently
  • Use ACS intellectual property without approval
How It Works

The Accreditation Process

  1. 01

    Initial Enquiry

    The organisation submits its interest in becoming an ACS Accredited Provider.

  2. 02

    Preliminary Review

    ACS reviews the organisation's profile, proposed territory, target sectors and requested scope.

  3. 03

    Formal Application

    The applicant submits the required legal, operational, academic and quality documents.

  4. 04

    Due Diligence

    ACS evaluates ownership, reputation, capability, conflicts of interest and regulatory considerations.

  5. 05

    Quality Evaluation

    The organisation's trainers, facilities, systems, policies and candidate procedures are reviewed.

  6. 06

    Meeting or Site Review

    ACS may conduct an online assessment, physical visit or formal management interview.

  7. 07

    Accreditation Decision

    Approved organisations receive a formal decision identifying: accreditation type, approved certifications, authorised delivery method, approved location or territory, validity period, and conditions of approval.

  8. 08

    Agreement and Onboarding

    The provider signs the ACS accreditation agreement and completes operational onboarding.

  9. 09

    Monitoring

    Accredited Providers remain subject to periodic reporting, review, audit and renewal.

Maintaining Accredited Status

Accredited Providers must:

  • Operate within their approved scope
  • Follow ACS policies and procedures
  • Maintain qualified personnel
  • Protect assessment confidentiality
  • Register candidates accurately
  • Submit required reports
  • Cooperate with monitoring
  • Resolve identified non-conformities
  • Obtain approval before using ACS branding
  • Maintain all relevant licences and legal requirements
  • Renew accreditation within the required period

ACS may suspend, restrict or withdraw accreditation where a provider fails to maintain the required standards.

Become an ACS Accredited Provider